Syllabus
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
DCN 830: Advance Nutrition Practice (Fall 2026)
Credits - 3
Description
Welcome to Advanced Nutrition Practice, where you will be writing and defending your Doctoral Research Proposal. This Doctoral Research Project (DRP) planning course supports Doctor of Clinical Nutrition students as they develop, refine, and defend a feasible and novel research proposal for implementation in clinical, community, academic, food service, corporate wellness, public health, or other applied nutrition research settings. The course is designed to provide the student individualized support as they write their research question, iterative feedback as they build their proposal, structured review of the proposal and defense, and readiness for institutional review board submission when required.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
DCN Program Outcomes (PLO)
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply adaptive and responsive leadership skills in healthcare, higher education, and community settings (depending on focus of student).
- Apply evidence-informed approaches when generating, appraising, and utilizing research.
- Lead the provision of safe, ethical, and evidence-based healthcare, higher education, and community services.
This course fulfills DCN Program Outcomes PLO 2 and PLO 3 as demonstrated through the course key assessment – Clinical Nutrition Case Study Manuscript and Virtual Grand Round Presentation.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Conceptualize, design, and propose to implement research to address a novel research question that contributes to the field of nutrition and dietetics.
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Develop a research proposal that demonstrates clear alignment between an approved research question or problem, aims, methods, and advanced practice competencies.
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Demonstrate readiness to conduct the proposed project by successfully completing a written proposal and oral proposal defense that meet doctoral-level scholarly and ethical standards and expectations.
Assignments
Lectures
Lectures to support your progress with the Doctoral Research Proposal will be required viewing for some modules.
Discussion Boards
You will be required to participate in weekly discussions during some weeks of the course. Initial posts are due by Friday, and response posts are due on Tuesday. If the initial post and response posts are not submitted within the assigned discussion week, you will be given a zero. Posts submitted after the discussion week will not be graded.
Your success in the course relies on robust discussion, critical thinking, and peer response. Discussion board posts responding to prompts posed are meant to facilitate a deeper understanding of the broader themes of the course as well as apply concepts you are learning through course readings, handouts, and lectures.
Your initial response should be substantive in nature and should generally be no less than 500 words but not more than 1000 words, not including references. It is important to synthesize and articulate content in a clear, complete, and concise manner. Peer responses should be no less than 300 but not more than 500 words and must offer positive, supportive, and constructive feedback to help deepen the conversation.
All posts must be written following standards of academic/professional writing and maintain a professional tone. All responses, both initial and peer, must be supported with synthesized current scholarly literature documented in AMA format.
Please be sure to follow the individual directions provided with each Discussion Board prompt, as the requirements may vary from Discussion Board to Discussion Board. Please review the DCN Discussion Guidelines for submission standards.
Assignments, Projects, and Assessments
See Brightspace for full assignment instructions, requirements, and rubrics.
In regard to all assignments, please observe the following:
- All assignments must be completed using AMA style for formatting, citation, and referencing where appropriate.
- All times related to assignment due dates refer to Eastern Time (ET).
- All questions about assignments should be sent through email to the course instructor.
- There will be no extra credit offered.
Students will receive feedback on each assignment usually within three days of the submission deadline (possibly longer for larger projects and papers, in which the course instructor will inform students). Grades and assignment feedback will be posted to the gradebook in Brightspace. Students should review assignment feedback and use the feedback to maintain or improve course performance, particularly when completing subsequent assignments. Students who earn a grade below B- (80%) on an assignment or who have a grade below B- (80%) in the course should contact the course instructor at their earliest convenience to discuss resources and strategies to improve performance.
Key Assessment
By the end of the course, each student will have completed a defensible doctoral research proposal that will form the basis for their DRP that includes an approved PICO(t) research question, introduction/background and literature review, study or intervention methods, research design, analytical protocol, sample size calculation or justification, recruitment plan, consent and assent materials as applicable, and proposal defense materials. If IRB approval is required, the student will prepare the application for submission at least two weeks before the end of the course.
Course Reflection and E-Portfolio
At the end of the course, students will identify one course assignment that best showcases their learning and achievement of course outcomes. The assignment will be saved as an artifact to place in their E-Portfolio at the end of the program. Students will reflect on a series of related questions to document their professional growth and development in the course.
Writing Statement
As professionals in the field, you will consistently be expected to clearly and concisely articulate advanced concepts for diverse audiences at a variety of educational levels.
Graduate students are expected to integrate and apply current scientific evidence and scholarly practice guidelines when completing assignments. Theories, ideas, concepts, and other information obtained or generated through review of the scholarly literature must be synthesized and summarized across multiple sources and correctly attributed.
Graduate students are expected to produce work that is their own and that is their best quality work. Students are expected to screen and proofread their work prior to submission for proper attribution of sources and authority, clarity, grammar, spelling, formatting, and mechanical issues.
While there is often a portion of each assignment’s rubric dedicated specifically to grammar, spelling, mechanics, and formatting, it is critical to understand that failure to submit work that has been adequately proofed may result in a reduction of points in other areas of the rubric. These may include, but are not limited to metrics rating professionalism or content knowledge and synthesis; work submitted in graduate courses should provide evidence of strategic reading, writing, and academic speaking skills essential for success in the discipline.
Please note that the Graduate Programs in Applied Nutrition, which includes the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program, holds the position that Grammarly and other artificial intelligence (AI) writing and generative technology should not be used when completing course assignments, unless explicitly permitted by course faculty and assignment instructions. These tools do not support a student’s personal and direct capacity to develop and hone skills in creativity, logic, critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, theorization, and writing, which are central to graduate level rigor, assessment, and research. Use of these tools may result in an academic integrity infraction.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assignment | Points |
|---|---|
| Student Syllabus Contract | 5 |
| Module 1: Week 1 Discussion | 10 |
| Module 1: Week 1 Assignment: Feasibility Scan | 10 |
| Module 1: Week 1 Project Concept Worksheet | 10 |
| Module 2: Week 3 Study Summary and Synthesis Matrix (Part 1) | 25 |
| Module 2: Week 2 Assignment: Search Strategy Table | 15 |
| Module 2: Week 2 PICO(t) template (Draft) | 15 |
| Module 2: Week 3 Study Summary and Synthesis Matrix | 30 |
| Module 2: Week 2 Discussion | 10 |
| Module 3: Week 4 Finalized PICO(t) | 20 |
| Module 3: Week 5 Assignment: Final Search Strategy Table | 15 |
| Module 3: Weeks 4 & 5 Discussion | 10 |
| Module 4: Week 6 PICO(t) with hypotheses template | 20 |
| Module 4: Week 7 Framework Template | 30 |
| Module 4: Week 7 Introduction Background Literature Review | 50 |
| Module 5: Week 8 Practice Research Design Selection | 25 |
| Module 5: Week 8 Discussion | 10 |
| Module 6: Week 9 Practice TIDIER and SPIRIT worksheet | 20 |
| Module 6: Week 10 Intervention Fidelity Scan Crosswalk | 30 |
| Module 6: Week 10 TIDieR Checklist and SPIRIT (or modified) Timeline | 20 |
| Module 6: Week 10 Intervention Protocol | 35 |
| Module 7: Week 11 Data Analysis practice worksheet | 25 |
| Module 7: Weeks 11 & 12 Discussion | 10 |
| Module 7: Week 12 Data Analysis Plan | 25 |
| Module 7: Week 12 Limitations Significance and Potential Impact | 20 |
| Module 8: Week 13 Practice Ethics Scenarios | 15 |
| Module 8: Week 13 Research Ethics Worksheet and Ethical Considerations (Draft) | 25 |
| Module 8: Week 13 Abstract (Draft) | 15 |
| Module 9: Week 14 Doctoral Research Proposal Presentation | 100 |
| Module 9: Week 14 Near-Final Doctoral Research Proposal | 20 |
| Module 10: Final Doctoral Research Proposal | 300 |
| Module 10: Week 15 & 16 Doctoral Research Proposal Presentation Critique | 15 |
| Module 10: Week 16 ePortfolio Artifacts & Reflection | 15 |
| Total: | 100 |
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition Program follows the UNE grading system for all courses, as outlined below. Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Any student who receives a grade of F in two or more courses is dismissed from the program. Please note: A minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for degree conferral.
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course weeks run from 12:00 AM ET on Wednesday through 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, with the exception of Week 16, which ends on Friday at 11:59 PM ET. Unless otherwise specified, all discussion comments and assignments are due on the last day of the course week in which they are assigned. Unless otherwise noted, initial responses to discussion prompts are due by the end of Friday and peer responses are due by the end of Tuesday.
ALL TIMES ARE IN THE EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Term Dates: 9/2/2026 – 12/18/2026
Week 1: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 2: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 3: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 4: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 5: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 6: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 7: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 8: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 9: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 10: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 11: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 12: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 13: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 14: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 15: Wednesday – Tuesday
Week 16: Wednesday – Friday
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Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, resources to support academic success, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Applied Nutrition page
UNE Library Services
The University of New England Library Services are central to the intellectual life of the University community and an essential resource for doctorate students across didactic, residency, and research coursework and experiences.
UNE Library Services may be accessed through OKTA or by visiting https://library.une.edu/.
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- Nutrition Resources
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
In keeping with the requirements of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, the American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this course and is available at both UNE libraries under the title "AMA Manual." Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
You can learn more about Turnitin here: Understanding the Similarity Score for Students.
Submission of Coursework for Publication or Presentation
Students interested in submitting a manuscript or other work completed in the course for publication or presentation external to UNE must obtain written approval from the course instructor and DCN Program Director prior to submission. The student should contact the course instructor or DCN Program Director to obtain a copy of the DCN Permission to Publish/Present Form which must be completed by the student per the form's instructions. Failure to follow these steps and complete the form prior to submission for publication/presentation or abide by the requirements therein will result in a professionalism violation. If granted permission to publish or present, the student is expected to indicate that the manuscript or other work was prepared as part of course and degree requirements while a student in the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition at the University of New England. University affiliation for publications, abstracts, posters, or other presentations should be listed as "Graduate Programs in Applied Nutrition, College of Professional Studies, University of New England." Please contact the DCN Program Director for UNE templates and logos that must be used for posters and presentations.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Students are responsible for ensuring continuous access to computer and technology requirements throughout their program of study. Course faculty will not routinely accept computer or other technology issues as an excuse for assignments that are not submitted per instructions, that are submitted late, or are missing a submission.
Course Participation Policy
Courses within the DCN Program are demanding and exacting. Students are expected to be present in course discussions and group activities, prepared for class, and actively engaged as evidenced by critical thinking and meaningful participation. Students are expected to schedule their personal and/or professional obligations and their course registrations so as to maintain continuous and complete participation throughout courses. Any absence from course activities will impede learning. However, circumstances may arise that cause students to be absent from active course participation on either a preplanned or an emergency basis.
Active course participation is defined as engaged participation in group activities, fulfilling discussion requirements within the published timeline, and submitting assignments within the published timeline. Absence is defined as lacking engaged participation in group activities and not fulfilling discussion requirements within the published timeline, and/or not submitting assignments within the published timeline.
Both preplanned and emergency absences are to be kept to a minimum and should not exceed, cumulatively, 10% of the assignments in a course. Exceeding this limit may result in grade reduction for the course or failing the course. Students are to make arrangements in advance of the absences with the instructor for submission of assignments and discussion participation, in accordance with specifications communicated in the course syllabus. An emergency absence is one that students do not know about in advance and often involves situations such as health issues. In this case, students are to notify the instructor as soon as possible and make arrangements for submission of assignments and discussion participation in accordance with specifications communicated in the course syllabus.
Late Policy
Assignments: Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total possible grade for each day it is late. After three days, the assignment will not be accepted. No assignments will be accepted after the course ends.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, acceptance of the discussion board is at the discretion of the faculty. Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Students are encouraged to make every effort ahead of time to contact their instructor and their student support specialist if they are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
6- to 8-week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
10+ -week courses: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.