Clinical Nutrition (DCN)

DCN 801  |  1 credit hour

Foundational knowledge and skills in practice-based nutrition research methods will be established. Topics include ethical research practices, research design, data quality and integrity, choosing the correct analytical tests, and data analysis. Students will generate an initial research question, identify a pre-existing data set for secondary analysis, and conduct post-hoc analysis to ensure the dataset will address the research question in preparation for their DCN 810 research project.

DCN 806  |  4 credit hours

Advanced concepts and techniques in nutrition assessment and therapeutic nutrition intervention for complex medical conditions and disease states will be examined. Topics in nutrition assessment include anthropometry and body composition, biochemical indices, metabolic prediction, nutrition-focused physical examination, and malnutrition screening and assessment. Topics in nutrition therapy focus on current and emerging interventions related to macronutrient, micronutrient, and other dietary modification. Students demonstrate advanced practice skills in clinical assessment, interpretation, and decision-making and justify clinical decisions and nutrition services through application of evidence-based guidelines and current scholarly literature.

DCN 810  |  1 credit hour

Advanced skills in scholarly inquiry, critical evaluation of professional literature, doctoral-level research, and writing will be developed. Students conduct a secondary data analysis, comprehensive literature review, and author a manuscript. Nutrition and health profession research methodologies including quantitative and qualitative analysis and mixed methods approaches are emphasized. Students will conceptualize and produce a proposal for their doctoral research project.

DCN 816  |  2 credit hours

Key concepts and applications of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products used in traditional and complementary medicine will be examined through a nutritional biochemistry and human metabolism framework. Topics include pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, indications, contraindications, safety, interactions, and administration. Emphasis is placed on the intersection of pharmacology and nutrition therapy in disease management. Students engage in evidence analysis and apply theory to practice through case studies.

DCN 820  |  3 credit hours

Advanced theory and strategies in healthcare counseling, coaching, and communication to support health literacy, behavior change, and health outcomes will be explored. Emphasis will be placed on culturally appropriate communication techniques and approaches, including motivational interviewing, across a variety of practice settings and patient populations. Students demonstrate their advanced counseling and coaching skills through role-play and simulations.

DCN 825  |  3 credit hours

Contemporary theories in leadership will be explored to equip students with advanced skills in situational awareness, deliberate and ethical decision-making, innovation, and change management to adaptively navigate complex and dynamic organizational landscapes. Students conduct psychometric assessment of their leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and creative potential to inform their development as an adaptive leader. Students complete an action-based project that demonstrates adaptive leadership in health care settings and practice.

DCN 830  |  3 credit hours

Emerging trends and issues in advanced practice and scholarship will be explored in preparation for the student’s advanced practice residency and doctoral research project. Students generate and defend their doctoral research project proposal.

DCN 835  |  4 credit hours

Challenges and opportunities in contemporary healthcare services, delivery, and management within the context of the broader healthcare ecosystem will be explored. Topics include healthcare policy, technology, financial models, economic and social impact, stakeholder interests, legal and ethical considerations, and key performance indicators. Students engage in advocacy initiatives and propose transformative approaches and collaborative solutions to advance practice, patient care, and health outcomes within the national or global healthcare landscape.

DCN 840  |  3 credit hours

Attributes, behaviors, and practices of proactive, agile, socially responsible, and inclusive leadership will be examined to equip students with advanced skills in strategic planning, systems thinking, team-building, crisis management, and conflict resolution. Students complete an action-based quality improvement project that demonstrates responsive leadership in professional practice.

DCN 846  |  3 credit hours

National and global food access, food sovereignty, social justice, and food advocacy initiatives will be examined with an emphasis on the availability, needs, and provision of food-based nutrition services and their impact on nutrition-related health outcomes. Students will propose and defend a grant proposal for governance, advocacy, and direct services solutions to a food justice issue.

DCN 850  |  3 credit hours

Current trends and issues in health professions leadership will be examined. Emphasis is placed on leadership development and growth mindset, evidence-based practice, interprofessional practice, cultural humility and health equity, technology in practice, and data-driven decision-making. Students translate theory to practice based on their program focus area.

DCN 856  |  1 credit hour

Focused growth and application of advanced nutrition theory and skills, clinical reasoning, decision-making, and scientific inquiry are accomplished through completion of 160 hours of experiential learning. Students are mentored by one or more advanced practice professionals in a professional practice environment. Students demonstrate competence in advanced nutrition practice through delivery of person-centered nutrition care within a chosen area of specialized nutrition practice.

DCN 866  |  1 credit hour

Advanced practice-based research methods are employed through student conduct of their approved doctoral research project. Students hone their skills in scholarly inquiry by executing their research study. The study (up through all data collection) for the doctoral research project should be completed by the end of this term unless prior permission is received.

DCN 870  |  3 credit hours

Doctoral-level practice-based research methods are implemented through student conduct of their approved doctoral research project. Students directly engage in scholarly inquiry by preparing, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer a novel question related to nutrition practice. Students synthesize research findings to draw valid conclusions and produce nutrition practice recommendations. A draft of the doctoral research project will be completed.

DCN 876  |  1 credit hour

Continuation of the nutrition residency experience through furthered growth and application of advanced nutrition theory and skills, clinical reasoning, decision-making, and scientific inquiry in a chosen area of specialized nutrition practice. Students complete their remaining 160 hours of experiential learning through mentorship by one or more advanced practice professionals in a professional practice environment. Students demonstrate competence in advanced nutrition practice through delivery of person-centered nutrition care culminating in comprehensive assessment and documentation of each student’s personal and professional Scope of Dietetics Practice.

DCN 880  |  3 credit hours

This 8-week course is designed to help graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students revise and format an existing piece of scholarly writing to meet publication expectations. Students are expected to have a dissertation, thesis, research or capstone manuscript to revise into an article manuscript. This course will prepare students to work through journal selection, authorship issues, and the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

The class is intended for graduate and doctoral students who have completed a graduate project through primary or secondary data collection and are engaged in the analyses of their results – typically beyond the midway mark of their project; the introduction, background, methods, results and at least part of the discussion should be complete.

At the end of the term, students enrolled will have completed a manuscript that is ready for submission to a peer-reviewed academic journal and are expected to provide proof of submission.