Admissions Requirements

Semester Application Deadlines:

• Fall: May 1 - July 1
• Spring: September 3 - November 1
• Summer: January 2 - March 1

For our inaugural cohort, the application period is January 1 - March 1. Once the program gets rolling, admission will be during the fall semester only.

Degree Requirements

Eligible applicants must possess a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics or a related field and a minimum of 3 years in practice. An applicant with a bachelor’s degree must have at least 5 years post credentialed experience.

Application Process

1. Visit the UTMB Online Application and choose either "new applicant" or "returning applicant".
2. New applicants should create an online account. Returning applicants should login and complete the application.
3. On the program information page on the UTMB application, make a note to select the following:
   1. Semester you wish to enroll: Choose the year you want to start (Year) and Term (Fall, Summer, or Spring)
   2. School of Anticipated Enrollment: School of Health Professions
   3. Program: Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
4. Applicants must arrange to have official transcripts from ALL regionally accredited U.S. institutions they have attended. UTMB only accepts official transcripts sent directly to UTMB by the issuing institution. Applicants are strongly encouraged to request to have their transcripts sent electronically to UTMB whenever possible. This greatly expedites processing and improves the accuracy of transcript evaluation.
5. Professional work experience: applicants must submit a professional letter describing area of relevant dietetic work experience, personal experiences that may have affected grades, personal strengths and weaknesses, rationale for choice of profession, and long-term goals, along with any other relevant information.
6. References: Applicants must provide contacts for at least 3 references:
   1. One reference from a supervisor or a MD/physician with whom you have worked and can discuss your professional and skill level.
   2. Two other references (can be dietetic-related) from individuals who can speak to other aspects of you in academic or engagement and describes your ability to function at the doctoral level.
   3. References will be contacted via the email address provided on the application.
7. International applicants: Since the DCN program is fully online, this program may not meet the requirements for students who have Visas for educational purposes and are required to enroll in courses offered on campus.
8. Once the application has been completed and all transcripts and reference letters have been received, applications will be reviewed. All applicants will be notified via email when the admissions decision has been made. Please allow several weeks for processing

Things to Consider

Please review the DCN application deadline information. For an application to be forwarded for faculty review and decision, all application materials must be received by the deadline date. Our department is unable to process applications with missing or incomplete documents.

All applicants are required to use our online system to create an account and apply to the DCN. The application process is on a rolling basis for each academic term. The first cohort begins in Summer 2024.

The school takes a holistic view in reviewing applications. Areas reviewed include discussion of health-related experience in a personal statement letter, relevant work/volunteer experience, personal experiences that may have affected grades (please explain any interruptions in education), personal strengths and weaknesses, rationale for choice of profession and long-term goals, and any other relevant information you feel the admissions committee should know.