Clinical Nutrition
Turn your passion for nutrition into a career that makes a difference.
Study the science of nutrition and prepare for careers in dietetics, healthcare, research, public health, and more.
The Clinical Nutrition major combines nutrition science, clinical nutrition, food science, biochemistry, food service management, and communication skills to prepare you for your next step—whether that's entering the workforce or continuing your education.
Explore Career Paths
Plan Your Four Years
Clinical Nutrition is an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD), providing the academic foundation needed to pursue graduate education and supervised practice toward the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
Where can a Clinical Nutrition degree take you?
Your degree can be the beginning of many different career journeys.
Whether you want to start working after graduation or continue your education, Clinical Nutrition gives you a foundation for a wide range of careers.
Start your career after graduation
- Dietetic Technician, Registered
- Community nutrition
- Government positions
- Research Assistant
- Personal Trainer
- Public health
Continue your education
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
- Consulting
- Academic positions
- Administration
- Specialty Dietitian
And nutrition can open doors to other health professions.
The Clinical Nutrition major is also an excellent foundation for pursuing Medicine, Nursing, Physician Assistant, or other healthcare fields.
Explore More Careers
Want to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)?
Here's how the Clinical Nutrition major can get you started.
*Built into the UC Davis Clinical Nutrition curriculum.
**Complete a master’s degree separately from your supervised practice program. For example: Complete a stand-alone master’s degree at UC Davis, such as a Master of Advanced Study in Maternal and Child Nutrition or a Master in Nutritional Biology, then complete an accredited Dietetic Internship/Supervised Practice Program, such as the UC Davis Health Dietetic Internship.
***If you have not completed the required DPD coursework with your undergraduate degree, you can enroll in a Coordinated Graduate Program. These programs combine: A master’s degree, supervised practice experience and required dietetics coursework (DPD requirements).
Interested in becoming a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR)?
Students interested in taking the exam to earn the NDTR credential must complete the DPD Academic Coursework.
Review the NDTR Application Handout Contact Nutrition Advising for Exam Application Support
Plan your Major
Start building your academic plan.
Explore the Program
Learn more about Clinical Nutrition and the DPD pathway.
Prepare For What's Next
Get ready for internships, careers, and life after graduation.
A strong next step starts here.
80% of graduates are accepted into master's and supervised practice programs.
My Journey as a Clinical Nutrition Major at UC Davis
Building the Foundation for a Career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Get inspired to chart your own path to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by following a current student's journey through the UC Davis Clinical Nutrition major, as she discovers her passion and works toward her RDN degree.
Read more
Have questions about Clinical Nutrition?
You don't have to figure out your path alone.
Our advising team can help you explore the major, plan your coursework, understand the DPD pathway, and prepare for your next step.
Ready to get started?
Contact Undergraduate Advising
Faculty Advisors
Francene Steinberg, Ph.D., R.D.N.
Clinical Nutrition Major Faculty Advisor & Didactic Program in Dietetics Director
3135B Meyer Hall
(530) 752-0160
[email protected]
Joan S. Frank, M.S., R.D.N., F.A.N.D.
Assistant Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics
3241 Meyer Hall
(530) 754-9749
[email protected]
UC Davis’ Nutrition and Dietetics Education Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, USA, (312) 899-0040 ext. 5400.
The UC Davis DPD meets the academic requirements of ACEND´s 2022 Accreditation Standards for Nutrition and Dietetics Didactic Programs.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN, please refer to the Accreditation Council For Education in Nutrition and Dietetics' (ACEND®) Information for Students.