Program Overview

Department of Dietetics and Nutrition

The Department of Dietetics and Nutrition offers various programs, including the Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science, Dual Master's Degree/Dietetic Internship Program, Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate, Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition, Online Master's Program, Dietetics and Integrative Medicine Graduate Certificate, and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition.

Academics

• School of Health Professions
• Dietetics and Nutrition
• Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science
  • Curriculum
  • Eligibility & Requirements
  • How to Apply
  • Costs and Financial Aid
  • Technical Standards
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• Dual Master's Degree/Dietetic Internship Program
• Dietetic Internship Graduate Certificate
• Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition
• Online Master's Program
• Dietetics and Integrative Medicine Graduate Certificate
• Doctor of Clinical Nutrition

Research

• Christifano Research Laboratory
• Maternal and Child Nutrition and Development Laboratory
• Nutrition Education and Literacy
• Sullivan Nutrition Assessment Laboratory
• Brain Nutrition Lab

Patient Care

• Nutrition Clinic

Career Paths

• What is a Dietitian?
• Which Degree is Right for Me?

About

• History
• Faculty and Staff

Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science

The Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science program is designed to move students toward independence as professional researchers and educators.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a Master of Science degree to be admitted to your program? Although we can admit students with a Bachelor of Science degree, students who already have a Master of Science in nutrition or a related field compete more favorably.
• I have a Master of Science degree in another field but now I want to get a Ph.D. Can I be admitted to your program? Because nutrition science applies knowledge from basic science in physiology and biochemistry, we would want to know about courses you have taken in the past. It would not be possible to admit you to our Ph.D. program without at least some past coursework in nutrition, biochemistry, and physiology.
• What kinds of positions are available to someone with a Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science? Individuals with a Ph.D. in Nutrition are hired for positions in academia, industry, and government.
• Should I apply to the Ph.D. in Medical Nutrition Science program or the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program? Only registered dietitians can choose between these advanced degrees. In general, the DCN is designed to advance your career prospects as a clinician in practice. It does include some research; however, the Ph.D. program is more heavily focused on research.
• Are assistantships available? We have Graduate Teaching Assistantships, which offer support in semesters when you teach. We also have a variable number of grant-funded Graduate Research Assistantships.
• Is financial aid available? Yes. Financial aid is available for degree-seeking students.
• How long will it take me to earn a Ph.D.? On average, students take 3.5 years to complete the program. Those who arrive knowing what they want to research typically take a shorter time than average. Students who are working generally take longer than average. The research project chosen also influences the amount of time needed to complete the program.