Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN)

Requirements for Admission into the Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition

Applicants must have the RD credential, a master's degree, preferably in nutrition or a health related field (with a minimum GPA of 3.4) and have at least three years of professional experience as a clinical RD. All applicants that meet the admission criteria will be scheduled for an interview with select faculty in the UMDNJ Graduate Programs in Clinical Nutrition.

Application materials for submission include a SHRP application available at http://shrp.umdnj.edu, a letter stating short and long term goals for completing the DCN, a notarized copy of RD card, a resume, one letter of recommendation, and transcripts from the highest degree earned. If the highest degree is not in nutrition, the transcripts from the nutrition degree must be included. Applicants who are foreign-trained must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and must submit an official copy of a transcript evaluation prepared by a recognized transcript evaluation agency such as : World Education Services, Inc., PO Box 5087, Bowling Green Station, New York, NY, 10274-5087, http://www.wes.org/ ; or similar transcript evaluation service. Foreign trained applicants who have completed a master's degree in the U.S. are eligible for waiver from this requirement.

Program of Study & Graduation Requirements

The 51-credit program taken on a part-time basis (9 to 15 credits/year) generally takes approximately four to five years to complete, depending on semester credit loads. UMDNJ-SHRP graduates of the MSCN program who enter the DCN within five years of graduation from the MSCN may be eligible to receive credit for courses taken in the MSCN program that are part of the DCN curriculum. Individuals with another master's degree or prior master's level coursework completed within the past five years may request a review of courses for credit. Portfolio assessment credit may be applied and granted for professional experience if it coincides with the content of one or more of the DCN courses.

Once students have successfully defended their pilot research in NUTR 6380 and all other coursework, they can enroll in NUTR 7009 Clinical Practice Residency and NUTR 7481 Clinical Nutrition Research Methods. Students are required to come to campus in New Jersey a minimum of three times over the course of their study. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 ("B" or higher) throughout the program. Students whose performance in the clinical practice residency falls below a "B" grade may be scheduled for additional residency time to successfully meet the program competencies. Successful completion of the following courses, totaling 51 credits is required for graduation.

For current semester schedule visit: http://shrp.umdnj.edu/nutr/gpcn_course_schedule.htm.

Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition Program
Course Requirements for Graduation

For a list of elective courses, click here.