Program Overview

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Master of Clinical Nutrition, MCN

The Master of Clinical Nutrition program inspires and educates students to be leaders in clinical nutrition through innovative and interprofessional graduate education as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

Program Overview

The graduate Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) requires 36 s.h. of credit. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.50 in major coursework. The degree requires no thesis. The MCN is a 20-month program of study. After successful completion of the program, students earn the degree and receive a verification statement that provides eligibility to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) entry-level registration examination for dietitians.

Curriculum

The Master of Clinical Nutrition requires the following coursework:

First Year, Fall

• DIET:9101 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy I | 3
• DIET:9200 | Nutrition Assessment | 3
• EPID:6360 | Nutrition Intervention in Clinical Trials Research | 2
• EPID:6370 | Nutrition Intervention in Research Lab | 3

First Year, Spring

• DIET:9102 | Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy II | 3
• EPID:6330 | Global Nutrition Policy | 2
• EPID:6350 | Nutritional Epidemiology | 2
• HHP:6310 | Advanced Sport and Exercise Nutrition | 3

First Year, Summer

• DIET:9300 | Critical Care and Nutrition Support | 3

Second Year, Fall

• DIET:9501 | Supervised Experiential Learning I | 3
• DIET:9600 | Management in Foods and Nutrition | 3

Second Year, Spring

• DIET:9400 | Pediatric Nutrition | 3
• DIET:9502 | Supervised Experiential Learning II | 3

Supervised Experiential Learning

All supervised experiential learning occurs on campus at University of Iowa Health Care, with the exception of community nutrition which occurs in the greater Iowa City community. The rotation schedule is developed according to the following guidelines:

• Clinical dietetics (disordered eating, oncology, cardiology, critical care, pediatrics, and outpatient counseling): 21 weeks.
• Food service management (clinical management, food service, production, business and finance, patient services, and event planning): 8 weeks.
• Community nutrition: 5 weeks.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MCN program must either have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or meet the following course requirements:

• Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States.
• Have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
• Have health care or food service work experience in the field.
• Submit three recommendation letters (one from a collegiate academic reference, one from a health care or food service experience supervisor, and one from anyone in an academic or work setting).
• Meet education requirements (see the following section, "Education Requirements").

Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. They can do this by submitting official test scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). In order to review an application, official TOEFL scores must be received from the Educational Testing Service. Only the IBT (internet-based test) is accepted. A minimum total score of 93 and a speaking score of 26 are necessary for entry into the program.

Education Requirements

Biological Sciences Coursework

• At least one semester of biology (animal or human) or general zoology.
• An animal, exercise, or human physiology course.
• An animal or human anatomy course.
• At least two additional courses in advanced biology or advanced physiology. Examples of courses include cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology, embryology, endocrinology, histology, or neuroscience.

Chemical Sciences Coursework

• At least one semester of inorganic chemistry.
• At least one semester of organic chemistry.
• An introductory or general biochemistry course.

Statistical Sciences Coursework

• A general statistics or biostatistics course.

Professional Coursework

• At least one nutrition course such as introductory nutrition, lifespan nutrition, advanced nutrition, or medical nutrition therapy.

Recency of Education Requirements

Additional courses in dietetics or a related area are required to update a degree that was completed five or more years prior to the current application deadline. The number of required credits is outlined as follows:

• 5–10 years (3 s.h. of medical nutrition therapy or clinical nutrition).
• 10 or more years (3 s.h. of medical nutrition therapy, 3 s.h. of physiology, 3 s.h. of biochemistry).

Career Development

The Master of Clinical Nutrition program prepares students to be competent as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook released by the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, the employment of registered dietitians and nutritionists is projected to grow 7% from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.