February 24, 2026
Deepen Your Clinical Nutrition Expertise
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program at University of Western States is a 100% online doctorate designed for active nutrition professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in pursuit of leadership roles, or roles in research, education, or advanced practice.
Because of the academic rigor required of our DCN students, you must hold at least a master’s degree (or equivalent) in nutrition to apply. Building on master’s-level coursework, the DCN program provides an even deeper exploration of high-complexity case work to help you better understand systems biology and multisystem interactions, chronic diseases, and advanced functional medicine applications.
An RDN credential is not required; a qualifying master’s degree in nutrition is sufficient to apply.
Program Philosophy and Techniques
Functional medicine is the framework that supports our entire DCN curriculum and focuses on highly personalized patient care to better understand the root causes of disease and dysfunction.
The DCN program was developed in collaboration with The Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) to expand your clinical toolkit with advanced functional medicine techniques for managing chronic and multifactorial conditions. These interventions are especially impactful for patients who have struggled to find relief through conventional methods.
Grow Alongside Your Cohort
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program follows a cohort-based online learning model. Built to support academic cohesion and peer-to-peer learning, you and your cohort will advance through the program together on a fixed course sequence.
This allows you to form stronger bonds and professional networks with your peers while still providing the flexibility you need to earn your degree without putting the rest of your life on hold.
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Curriculum
Quarter 1
- Foundations of Scientific Writing
- Clinical Reasoning in Nutrition Practice
- Research for Clinicians: Appraisal and Publication
Quarter 2
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics I: Cardiometabolic
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics II: Gastrointestinal
Quarter 3
- Physical Examination I
- Functional Medicine Case Management I
- Professional Ethics and Jurisprudence for the DCN
Quarter 4
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics III: Endocrine
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics IV: Neurological
Quarter 5
- Physical Examination II
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics V: Immune
Quarter 6
- Functional Nutritional Therapeutics VI: Population-Specific Needs
- Functional Medicine Case Management II
Quarter 7
- Culinary Strategies for Vibrant Meals
- Public Health and Policy in Nutrition
- Nutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics: Advanced Applications
Quarter 8
- Distance Clinic Internship
- Success and Sustainability in Nutrition Practice
- Capstone-DCN
Capstone Project: Core Skills for Case Report Publication
The capstone project represents the pinnacle of the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program and reflects the highest level of clinical and scholarly development within the Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine department.
Clinical Case Report
Your capstone project follows the same rigorous format practicing clinicians use when publishing their own research. The skills you develop will prepare you to develop case reports from patients/clients in your practice, enabling you to contribute to functional nutrition’s scientific literature.
Faculty Support & Mentorship
Our DCN faculty lean on their years of professional experience when offering you advice and guidance throughout the program, but they will be especially impactful as you lean on them for support during the creation of your capstone project.
Admissions Requirements
UWS admits new students into the DCN program each fall (October). Applicants should carefully review the program’s selection criteria to ensure they are making the best possible presentation of their qualifications. Each applicant for the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is evaluated holistically, accounting for personal, academic and professional experiences.
In addition to the general entry requirements for the College of Graduate Studies, students must also meet the specific entry requirements below for the DCN program:
- Complete standard admissions application, including a detailed, well-written personal statement discussing professional goals and explaining how the UWS DCN program will help the applicant achieve those goals
- Successful completion of a Master of Science degree or equivalent in nutrition
- Minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
- Prerequisite coursework in macronutrients and micronutrients, whole food nutrition, nutritional supplementation, meal planning, and functional medicine (one course each). Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher
- Two letters of recommendation
- Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- An interview with the clinical nutrition and functional medicine program directors or program instructor
- Application fee
Accreditation
University of Western States is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited college or university is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programs, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation. Accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is not partial but applies to the institution as a whole. As such, it is not a guarantee of every course or program offered, or the competence of individual graduates. Rather, it provides reasonable assurance about the quality of opportunities available to students who attend the institution.
Inquiries regarding University of Western States’ accredited status by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities should be directed to academic affairs staff via email at [email protected].
Individuals may also contact:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Avenue N.E., Suite 100
Redmond, WA 98052
425-558-4224
Tuition & Fees
Visit our Tuition and Fees page to learn more.
Financing Your Future
University of Western States remains committed to keeping higher education affordable and accessible. Our Financial Aid Department is ready to offer guidance and support in determining suitable financial assistance tailored to your needs, including potential scholarship opportunities, grants, and more.
Catalog
Please refer to our Academic Catalog for more information on the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an internship or residency required for the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition?
No. The UWS online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition requires no internship, residency, or in-person clinical hours. All coursework, labs, and practicums in the DCN program are completed fully online, with no campus visits required.
How long does the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program take to complete?
The DCN program at UWS is a two-year online doctorate program structured across eight quarters and 65 quarter credits. Students advance through a fixed course sequence alongside their peer cohort, with courses offered once per year for each entering group.
What can you do with a DCN Degree?
Graduates of the online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program can pursue careers as:
- Clinical nutritionists in private or integrative practice
- Nutrition educators
- Health and wellness advisers
- Consultants in the supplement and functional health industry
Those who earn the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential can significantly expand their scope of practice. The DCN also qualifies graduates for university-level teaching and leadership roles in clinical nutrition.
Can I go directly from the nutrition master's program to the doctoral program?
Yes. Students who complete the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Functional Medicine at UWS may progress directly into the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, provided all admission requirements are met.
What is the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and how is it connected to the UWS DCN?
The Institute for Functional Medicine is the organization that founded and developed many of the functional medicine concepts and clinical assessment tools used in integrative practice today. The UWS DCN was developed in direct collaboration with IFM; its frameworks and tools are embedded in the curriculum rather than offered as an optional supplement.
Is the online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition approved for VA educational benefits?
Yes. The online DCN at UWS is approved for VA Education Benefits. Active-duty service members, veterans, reservists, and National Guard members may be eligible to apply their benefits to this program.
Career Outcomes
Clinical nutritionists often collaborate with physicians, nurses, mental health providers, and other specialists to deliver comprehensive whole-person patient care in various roles and settings.
You will be prepared to work in the following roles, among others:
- Functional nutrition practitioner
- Advanced clinical consultant
- Complex case specialist
- Nutrition educator
- Scholarly contributor
- Private practice
- Integrative clinics
- Nutrition consulting
- Health and wellness centers
- Academia
"There are now more opportunities than there used to be for students to join a functional health practice. Those with a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition should be recognized as holding the highest level of expertise in their field."
Chris Brown DC
Program Director, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition Program
