NWHSU Launches New Doctor of Clinical Nutrition in Functional & Integrative Nutrition
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Last updated: May 6, 2026
Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) is proud to announce the launch of its new Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) in Functional and Integrative Nutrition– a practice-focused doctoral degree designed for nutrition and healthcare professionals ready to elevate their clinical expertise, leadership capacity, and professional impact.
Grounded in a cutting-edge approach to functional wellness, the DCN prepares practitioners to become evidence-based leaders who can translate complex nutritional science into precise, personalized, and effective care. The program equips graduates to deliver transformative, inclusive, sustainable, and evidence-driven solutions for individuals and communities.
“We are thrilled to introduce the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program at NWHSU, building on the success of our Master of Health Science degree program,” said Sasha Hope, MS, DCN, Chair of the Functional and Integrative Nutrition programs.
Very few nutrition doctoral programs offer a functional and integrative approach, which we believe is the future of the field. And compared to those programs that do, ours is more affordable and can be completed faster, without sacrificing quality.”
A Doctoral Degree Designed for Today’s Healthcare Landscape
Nutrition is a growing field, with serious demand for practitioners with a holistic, functional approach. According to the BLS, there will be an average of 6,200 job openings for dietitians and nutritionists each year (2024-2034) and faster than average job growth.
NWHSU’s DCN prepares nutrition professionals to make meaningful impact through:
Advanced Clinical Expertise in Whole-Person Care
Students develop advanced clinical decision-making skills to manage complex chronic conditions using a personalized, root-cause, evidence-based approach.
Leadership for the Future of Health & Wellness
Graduates train as thought leaders equipped to shape healthcare systems, public health initiatives, academia, industry innovation, and wellness advancement.
Client-Centered, Personalized Care
Coursework emphasizes individualized care that integrates genomics, lifestyle, environment, and psychosocial factors to support optimal outcomes.
Flexible and Designed for Working Professionals
The DCN can be completed on its own by students who already hold a master’s degree in nutrition or doctoral degree in clinical healthcare (including Chiropractors). Or, students can enroll in the Master’s and Doctorate Completion Program, earning both graduate degrees in two years at a full-time pace. Prerequisites in nutrition science, biochemistry, and more are required to ensure readiness for the program. However, NWHSU offers these courses, and can work with students to create a plan that works for them.
Built for busy clinicians, NWHSU’s DCN offers:
- 100% online coursework
- Full- or part-time enrollment options
- Three start dates per year
- Creative and experiential coursework
- Integrated clinical and research components
- 45 total credits
- Completion in just over one year
With the launch of the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) in Functional and Integrative Nutrition (FIN) program, NWHSU continues its commitment to advancing clinical education and preparing practitioners to lead the future of whole-person, evidence-based healthcare.
