Marywood University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework in clinical nutrition with supervised practice experiences and a culminating scholarly project. Core emphasis is on Medical Nutrition Therapy across the life span, nutrition assessment and diagnosis, evidence-based interventions, and interdisciplinary care planning.

• Advanced Clinical Nutrition and Medical Nutrition Therapy — complex disease management including renal, oncology, gastrointestinal, metabolic and critical care nutrition.
• Nutrition Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning — anthropometry, biochemical and functional measures, and use of nutrition-focused physical exam techniques.
• Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice — study design, biostatistics basics, critical appraisal and application of research to clinical decision making.
• Food Service Systems and Management — systems approach to food service delivery, budgeting, quality assurance and regulatory issues relevant to clinical settings.
• Pharmacology and Pathophysiology for Nutrition Professionals — interactions between medications, disease processes and nutritional status.
• Community and Public Health Nutrition — population-level interventions, program planning and evaluation, and social determinants of health.
• Supervised Practice/Clinical Rotations — practical placements in acute care, outpatient clinics, long-term care and community settings arranged through Marywood’s clinical partnerships.
• Culminating Experience — capstone project or thesis that applies clinical knowledge to practice improvement, education or research.

Programme delivery typically blends classroom instruction, laboratory skills sessions and on-site clinical rotations. Students gain competencies in nutrition assessment, care planning, documentation and interprofessional collaboration.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition or a closely related health science from an accredited institution. Where prerequisites are missing, conditional admission with completion of required foundational courses may be considered. Typical application components include academic transcripts, a personal statement outlining professional goals, letters of recommendation, and a résumé or CV detailing relevant experience.

Clinical experience or volunteer work in nutrition or healthcare settings strengthens an application. International applicants must meet Marywood’s academic and English language requirements. Specific minimum grade-point averages or standardized test requirements are set by the department and may vary; prospective applicants should consult the programme office for current guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme are prepared for advanced clinical roles and are positioned to pursue credentialing/licensure as registered dietitians or equivalent depending on jurisdictional requirements. Typical career destinations include:

• Clinical dietitian positions in hospitals, specialty clinics and intensive care units
• Outpatient and community nutrition services including chronic disease management and preventive care
• Long-term care and rehabilitation facilities
• Nutrition support teams and enteral/parenteral nutrition services
• Food service management and healthcare administration
• Private practice and consultant roles in medical nutrition therapy
• Public health, programme development and non-profit nutrition initiatives
• Further academic research or doctoral study in nutrition and related health sciences

Why study at Marywood University

Marywood offers a personalised learning environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentorship, emphasising hands-on clinical training. The programme leverages partnerships with regional healthcare providers to secure supervised practice placements that reflect real-world clinical responsibilities. Students benefit from applied laboratory sessions, interprofessional learning opportunities with allied health programmes, and faculty who combine teaching with clinical or research expertise.

The university’s student-centred approach and supportive services — including academic advising and career guidance — help prepare graduates for professional credentialing and employment in a variety of nutrition and healthcare settings.