Clinical Nutrition

The mission of the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program is to prepare graduates to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who are leaders in the profession. Graduates will expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition to improve health outcomes with particular attention to the needs of underserved or vulnerable populations.

Goal #1

Graduates are competent registered dietitian nutritionists prepared for leadership roles in healthcare settings.

objectives

• At least 80% of program students complete program requirements within 4.5 years (150% of the program length).
• Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90 % percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
• At least 100 % percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
• The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of their first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
• 80% of returned employer surveys rank graduates working in dietetics as “adequately prepared”.
  50% of graduates are employed in and/or hold a volunteer position in a leadership position one year after graduation.

Goal #2

Graduates improve the health outcomes of the community, especially in underserved populations.

objectives

• 50% of graduates agree they serve an underserved, or vulnerable population
• 80% of graduates agree that their position contributes positively to the health outcomes of the community for which they serve.

Outcome data is available upon request.

The following requirements must be met before the student is eligible to receive his/her degree from Fairfield University:

• Verification of successful completion of all practicum and academic course requirements
• Demonstrated competence in all ACEND required competencies and performance indicators
• Resolution of all financial responsibilities
• Return of all loaned items including library books, ID badge, etc.

Students must complete all course requirements within 150% of the program length. This equates to 4.5 years for the full-time track and 6 years for the part-time track.

The DCN program at Fairfield University is under the Future Education Model standards. The curriculum includes all necessary courses and experiential supervised practice required for graduates to obtain a verification statement that allows them to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionist. Beginning January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to sit for this exam.

RDNs are not required to be licensed in Connecticut; however, some states do require licensure/certification.

Information Regarding State Licensure

All students are required to have access to a personal computer with internet access. Every currently enrolled student has been provided with an email account at no cost to the student. Email is the official method of communication for University correspondence.

These University-provided email addresses are the only officially recognized email addresses for all currently enrolled students.

Fairfield University will assess credit for prior learning.

Please see handbook for program policies and procedures.

The DCN program follows the University Academic Calendar.