Oct. 2 event to highlight opportunities for future dietitian nutritionists.
UNT Health Fort Worth is celebrating its new Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program with an event featuring Fort Worth City Councilwoman Macy Hill as the guest speaker, a panel discussion, refreshments and a tour of the university’s Regional Simulation Center.
The graduate program is designed to meet the growing demand for registered dietitian nutritionists in healthcare and community settings. The program’s first students will start classes in fall 2026.
The public celebration will begin at 3 p.m. Oct. 2 in rooms 109-111 of UNT Health’s Medical Education Training building, 1000 Montgomery St. To RSVP for the event, please click here.
“I am so excited to kick off the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program at UNT Health,” said Christina Liew-Newville, RDN, EdD, program director. “This program will equip students with the knowledge and skills to become competent registered dietitian nutritionists. With flexible online coursework and hands-on experiences through simulations and supervised practice, our students will be fully prepared to improve nutrition outcomes and make a meaningful impact in the community.”
The 22-month online program, approved by the UNT System Board of Regents in February 2024, combines graduate coursework with supervised clinical practice. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the national credentialing exam to become registered dietitian nutritionists, or RDNs.
In August, the program earned candidacy for accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, or ACEND, allowing UNT Health to begin recruiting the degree’s first students.
The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based care, interprofessional collaboration and the use of simulation and technology to enhance training. Clinical rotations will take place with RDNs across North Texas, giving students experience in hospitals, community programs and wellness settings.
The program is housed in the College of Health Professions’ Department of Personalized Health and Well-Being, which focuses on preparing graduates to address chronic disease, food insecurity and population health through culturally responsive approaches.
“From the initial concept to its launch, the clinical nutrition program was built with a clear vision: to bridge science with practical application in ways that improve health outcomes,” said Dr. Misti Zablosky, PhD, LAT, chair of the department. “This kickoff event represents the start of a program that will shape the future of nutrition and wellness.”
Councilwoman Hill said she was proud to support the program and its role in addressing community needs.
“The new master’s program at UNT Health is a vital step in training the next generation of registered dietitian nutritionists,” she said. “By preparing practitioners with evidence-based skills and personalized health strategies, this program will improve the well-being of residents in Fort Worth and beyond.”
For more information, visit www.unthealth.edu/MSCN. To schedule an advising appointment, visit this link.
