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MISSION OF THE DOCTOR of CLINICAL NUTRITION 

The mission of the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is to prepare Registered Dietitian Nutritionists to be scholar-practitioners with advanced skills and competence to lead the integration of evidence-informed healthcare services, critical thinking, and/or research in professional settings.

Regional Accreditation

All programs at the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Specialized Accreditation

N/A

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) is a professional practice doctorate that prepares Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) to competitively progress in their careers and excel in positions of advanced nutrition practice, practice-based research, and leadership in healthcare and academia. The DCN integrates and applies critical thinking, nutrition practice, scholarship, leadership skills, and educational theory to practice. There is an emphasis on the provision of evidence-based nutrition services, scientific inquiry and research, adaptive and responsible leadership, higher education administration, advocacy and innovation, and interprofessional collaboration. Students engage in practice-based research throughout the program, and there are multiple opportunities for students to produce publication-worthy manuscripts.

Students select a leadership focus which allows them to tailor their course projects, research, and residency hours. Focus areas include leadership in higher education administration, healthcare and clinical management, and community health services. The program culminates in students completing 320 hours of an advanced practice residency and a doctoral research project which are individualized to the student’s professional goals and focus area.

DOCTOR OF CLINICAL NUTRITION PROGRAM GOALS

1. Provide safe, ethical, equitable, and culturally relevant evidence-based healthcare, education, and community services. 
2. Lead integration of evidence-informed best practices, critical thinking and/or research in professional settings.
3. Model leadership and management skills in organizational, healthcare, and academic settings. 
4. Work collaboratively in interprofessional settings to provide comprehensive approaches to healthcare services and education.

FOCUS AREAS

Leadership in Higher Education Administration

• Implement evidence-based best practices in Higher Education Administration.
• Apply appropriate pedagogical and andragogical approaches to undergraduate and graduate programming.

Leadership in Healthcare and Clinical Management

• Implement evidence-based best practices in Healthcare and Clinical Management.
• Lead the delivery of services through strategic guidance and management of personnel.

Leadership in Community Health Services

• Implement evidence-based best practices in Community Services.
• Lead community education initiatives through the development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted programming.

OBJECTIVES IN SUPPORT OF THE GOALS OF THE DOCTOR OF CLINICAL NUTRITION 

Graduates of the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵDoctor of Clinical Nutrition will:

1. Apply adaptive and responsive leadership skills in healthcare, higher education, and community settings (depending on student focus area).
2. Apply evidence-informed approaches when generating, appraising, and utilizing research.
3. Lead the provision of safe, ethical, and evidence-based healthcare, higher education, and community services.

MINIMUM GRADE POINT AVERAGE

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two (2) or more courses is dismissed from the program.

GRADUATION

Candidates must fulfill all program requirements and are required to earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be eligible to graduate. All students must file an Application to Graduate with the registrar’s office via U-Online. Please see the Graduation FAQ for complete instructions and the answers to frequently asked questions.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean’s Office. 

COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY

Add/Drop Period

A student may add or drop a course during the time frames published on the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵAcademic Calendar. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on a student’s official transcript.

Course Withdrawal Period

A student may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period has ended through the designated withdrawal deadline, which is approximately at the 60% point of the course's length. The withdrawal period for each semester and session is published on the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵAcademic Calendar.

Grade for the Course Withdrawal

A course withdrawal during the withdrawal period results in a grade of W, which will appear on a student’s official transcript. The grade of W is awarded only if a student has submitted a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline. A W grade does not impact the term or cumulative GPA.

Consultation Before a Course Withdrawal

Before deciding to withdraw from a course, students must consult their Program/Academic Director and are encouraged to discuss the situation with the instructor. 

International students must obtain the approval of the Office of Global Education, as withdrawals may affect visa status.

Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits. 

Course Withdrawal Process

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must submit a Course Withdrawal Form, signed by their Program/Academic Director and Office of Global Education (if applicable), to the Registrar’s Office before the Course Withdrawal deadline.

Ceasing to attend classes or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Late Withdrawal

Requests to withdraw from a course after the withdrawal period will only be considered in extreme circumstances. To request a late withdrawal, a student must consult with their Program/Academic Director and submit a completed Academic Petition stating the extenuating circumstances and a letter of support from an advisor, faculty member, or Program/Academic Director to the College’s Dean’s Office offering the course for consideration. 

If approved, a W grade will appear on the transcript, not impacting the GPA calculations.

Late withdrawal petitions must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the class.

Note: All deadlines, procedures, and policies related to course withdrawal are subject to the guidelines specified on the 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵAcademic Calendar.

UNIVERSITY WITHDRAWAL

All matriculated students who wish to withdraw from the University must complete notification documentation available from the Registrar’s Office. Documentation must be signed by designated academic and administrative authorities.

RE-ADMISSION

Students who have been withdrawn from the program for any reason must reapply if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply. Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five (5) years old may not be accepted for credit in the program. Previously completed Advanced Practice Residency hours and Reasearch Practicum may not be accepted for credit in the program and may need to be repeated.

Students who have been administratively withdrawn from the program may petition for re-admission after a full semester has elapsed. The petition letter must provide a justification for re-admission that addresses how past issues have been resolved and will not re-occur. The letter should be attached in the application portal.

TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION

A student who has not completed the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition within five (5) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (ACADEMIC STOP OUT)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two (2) semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned.

However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two (2) semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning). 

Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Student Support Specialist and Student Financial Services to indicate a change of plans; stop out time can affect financial aid eligibility and repayment.

MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE

In the event that a leave of absence is taken due to medical reasons, a doctor’s note may be required in order to return to active standing within the program.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

The 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy. Failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
3. Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one (1) course without permission of each instructor.
5. Plagiarism, is the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. The appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in The College of Professional Studies Student Handbook.

ETHICS AND CREDENTIALING

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession outlines explicit principles and ethical standards for professional conduct as a nutrition and dietetics practitioner. All students are required to acquire their own copy of the Academy/CDR Code of Ethics and are subsequently responsible for reading, understanding, and following all principles and standards as outlined.

Students must maintain current credentialing as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for the duration of program enrollment. Students whose credential lapses or who are subject to an action or decision by the Academy or CDR may be subject to disciplinary procedures or dismissal from the program.

STUDENT ACCESS CENTER

The Student Access Center works to ensure that the University promotes respect for individual differences and that no person who meets the academic and technical standards needed for admission and continued enrollment at 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵis denied benefits or subjected to discrimination due to a disability. Toward this end, and in conjunction with federal and state laws, the University provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students.

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three (3) courses (maximum of nine (9) credits) into the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program.
To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of The College of Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to and will be granted at the discretion of the Program Director.

Transfer courses must:

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Have been taken within five (5) years of application.
• Be worth (3) credits.
• Have been completed with a grade of B or better. 
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education. 

EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT

The DCN program does not grant academic credit for life experiences or previous work experience.

See for more information.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.