Training future leaders in nutrition
The MCN program combines classroom learning with full-time supervised clinical experience over 20 months and five semesters. The 36-credit, non-thesis degree follows the University of Iowa academic calendar, with all coursework completed in person on campus. Clinical and management rotations take place at UI Health Care, with additional community experiences in the greater Iowa City area.
Supervised experiential learning is incorporated into each course throughout the entirety of the program. The MCN program provides over 1,300 total supervised practice hours (820 clinical, 325 management, and 210 community), all in person with a 1:1 ratio of registered dietitians to students.
Program goals and objectives
Our mission is to inspire and educate students to become world class registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) through innovative and interprofessional graduate education to prepare RDNs to be leaders in clinical nutrition for the people of Iowa and our global community.
Goal 1: Program graduates will be competent registered dietitian nutritionists.
Objective 1: At least 80 percent of program students complete program requirements within 2.5 years (150% of the program length).
Objective 2: Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90 percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
Objective 3: At least 90 percent of respondents to one-year post graduation employer surveys will rate the mean of the graduate’s skill level in competencies at a 3.0 (skilled for entry-level practice) on a 5.0 (highly skilled for entry-level practice) scale.
Objective 4: At least 90 percent of respondents to one-year post graduation graduate surveys will rate the mean of the graduate’s skill level in competencies at a 3.0 (skilled for entry-level practice) on a 5.0 (highly skilled for entry-level practice) scale.
Goal 2: Program graduates will be prepared to successfully complete the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing
Objective 1: At least 90 percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
Objective 2: The program's one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
*Program outcomes data are available upon request.
Program Standards
University of Iowa Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) program accreditation status is accredited until June 30, 2030.
The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) released the Future Education Model Graduate Program Accreditation Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.
University of Iowa demonstrated its leadership in education by being in the first cohort of programs to be accredited by ACEND under these new standards.
Program Accreditation
The University of Iowa Master of Clinical Nutrition (MCN) program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
ACEND® serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND® is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Title IV gatekeeper. This recognition affirms that ACEND® meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.
ACEND® is also a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors and abides by its code of good practice.
Need to contact ACEND?
ACEND
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Phone: 1-800-877-1600, ext. 5400