online phd programs nutrition

Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition

Degree Requirements: Prior master’s degree for the nutrition Ph.D. online path. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree only may apply for the M.S. to Ph.D. pathway, which allows students to earn both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in IFN. Courses in basic nutrition science, general biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology are required prerequisites. If desired, these courses can be completed at Saybrook as part of the degree program.

Completion Time: 4.5-5.5 years for the nutrition Ph.D. online; 5.5-6.5 years for M.S. to Ph.D. pathway. Prerequisites may lengthen the time of study.

Earned Credits: 62 for Ph.D., 76 for M.S. to Ph.D. Registered dietitians are eligible for nine credits of Advanced Standing toward the Ph.D., as are graduates of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

Guided by practitioner-faculty, graduates of Saybrook University’s Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition online program will be prepared to impact the field of integrative and functional nutrition in a variety of ways, including:

Providing innovative, evidence-based, effective nutritional care
Educating others in the science of integrative and functional nutrition
Conducting novel research in functional nutrition to further advance the field

The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition is a fully online* 62-76 credit program designed for those looking to enhance their expertise and to contribute to scientific advancement in the field of integrative and functional nutrition.

This online nutrition Ph.D. program prepares graduates to use an evidence-based approach by applying their knowledge of functional biochemistry to provide patient-centered integrative care that incorporates environmental, social, physiological, and psychological sciences into their practice.

The doctoral degree in IFN can help further distinguish current nutrition professionals in a competitive field, complement the existing skill set of non-nutrition health care practitioners, or pave a path for professionals from nonscientific backgrounds to transition into the field of integrative and functional nutrition, all while contributing to research in this new and expanding field.

Courses such as Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry, Systems Biology I and II, and Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease prepare students for their careers. The online nutrition Ph.D. program also provides a strong grounding in research.

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program are prepared to work in:

Research and development
Higher education
Private outpatient practice
Hospitals and health care organizations
Public health and policymaking positions
Nonprofit organizations
Corporate wellness programs
Natural product, dietary supplement, and food industries
Health communications
Athletic organizations and fitness facilities
Wellness centers and spas

The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program is designed to fulfill the current academic requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) from the American Nutrition Association . The doctorate of nutrition is also designed to meet the core academic requirements for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist credential (CCN) from the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board and is preapproved to allow graduates to waive the 56-hour Post Graduate studies in Clinical Nutrition (PCSCN).

If you are interested in seeking the Residential Dietician (“RD”) credential upon completion of the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program at Saybrook University, please visit the website of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). ACEND® policies for the Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP) allow individuals holding a doctoral degree without a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement to apply for an ISPP; however, eligibility requirements and options may vary by program. You can see which dietetic internships or didactic programs currently offer ISPP by visiting Accredited Education Programs . Doctoral degree holders without a DPD verification statement must attend an ISPPs that is approved to offer a track for individuals with a doctoral degree. Students interested in applying to an ISPP should research the eligibility requirements of the program where they intend to submit an application, including whether they are required to locate their own preceptors, and then contact the program director. Individuals with work experience should also inquire whether the program grants credit for specific competency requirements through an assessment of prior learning.

Prospective Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition students should contact the appropriate board for eligibility requirements, as well as their State Department of Health to determine which of these certifications may be recognized for practice in their state, as well as any other licensing, registration, or certification requirements, as they are subject to change.

More Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program information may be found in our Academic Catalog.

*All required coursework is done virtually, however Residential Conference (RC) participation is required when a student elects an elective course with a residential training component. Additionally, while RC participation is not otherwise required, students may opt to attend at any time.

“The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition at Saybrook University offers a cutting-edge nutritional program focused on systems biology, nutritional biochemistry, and developing research scholars. This program is ideal for the current nutrition professional looking for a discerning program that will add academic and research chops to their skill set and be appealing to individuals who want to be immersed in the latest nutrition science. I cannot recommend it enough.” – Betty Murray, M.S., CN, IFMCP, Ph.D. IFN candidate

“The Ph.D. IFN program at Saybrook University is a versatile and challenging program that offers in-depth coursework and training in nutritional sciences, systems biology, functional nutrition applications, research, and so much more. It provides the training, nutrition knowledge, and clinical skills needed to be ready for professional practice. Beyond the coursework, the faculty is the most supportive and knowledgeable team that I’ve come across in my educational career. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to be a part of this amazing program!” – Amery Dennis, M.S., Ph.D. IFN student, Saybrook University Federal Work-Study Employee

“The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition has provided me with the tools to advance my clinical and research skills. This evidence-based curriculum includes course requirements from biochemistry to research and so much in between. It is a rigorous program that fully prepared me to be the scholar-practitioner who has earned a “seat at the table” with other practitioners. The program features top-rated professors with current clinical experience who are passionate about teaching. They are supportive and bring the best combination of academic achievement and clinical expertise to the courses they teach. This dynamic, online program was designed to fit the variety of educational needs and busy schedules of nutrition professionals. It has been the perfect program for me!” – Sonya Angelone, M.S., RDN, CLT, Ph.D. IFN student

The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition requires 62 credits for those meeting the prerequisite course requirements of basic nutrition science, biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology. The M.S. to Ph.D. program is a 76-credit program, with students earning both an M.S. and Ph.D. in IFN.

Prerequisites can be taken at Saybrook if desired. Prerequisites can count toward open electives, but depending on how many are needed, the credit load may be increased by up to 6 additional credits.

The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition is 100% virtual and no face-to-face Residential Conference (RC) is required for this degree. This allows us to attract students from across the globe. Students may choose to attend any Saybrook RC to meet students, faculty, and staff from other degree programs.

The IFN programs are conducted in an online learning environment, mostly asynchronous, supplemented by videoconferences with instructors and classmates. A typical credit load is six credits per 15-week semester, which requires about 16 hours per week of time. The summer semester is eight weeks, which requires about twice the weekly study time. Because of the asynchronous nature, the online Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition can be completed while students are working.

Students culminate their degree with a dissertation that contributes to the published research in integrative and functional nutrition. The expected length of the online Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program is 4.5-5.5 years, with an additional year for those in the M.S. to Ph.D. program. After successful completion of the first semester, students may accelerate their program if desired.

Students earning the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition can acquire complementary skills to enhance their professional practice by adding a minor in Integrative Wellness Coaching or Mind-Body Medicine to their degree program. The addition of a minor will add to the total credits of the student’s program and take approximately one to two additional semesters to complete.

Saybrook University may accept up to three graduate transfer credits into the program from other regionally accredited colleges and universities prior to entrance. Transfer credits must be suitable for transfer to the intended degree program and must be approved by the department chair. Credits are applied to the number of elective or required course credits needed for the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree completion.

Nine credits of advanced standing are granted for registered dietitians or graduates of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition .

“Our faculty have diverse experience that includes metabolic disease, autoimmunity, diabetes care, culinary nutrition, food and supplement industries, public health, international practice, naturopathic medicine, sports nutrition and more. Our research ranges from qualitative human inquiry studies to quantitative epidemiological, cross-sectional and longitudinal clinical investigations.” – Jeannemarie Beiseigel, Ph.D., RD, IFN faculty

Systems Biology I and II

Ifn 5660 – methods in nutrition research.

Nutrition knowledge is derived from an extensive, integrally related body of basic and applied research. In this course, the online nutrition Ph.D. students will develop a working knowledge of the various approaches used to study everything from cellular metabolism and systems biology to controlled intervention trials and large-scale observational studies. Students will be able to explain and compare the methods used to gather reliable data, why they are used, their limitations, and their applications. By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss the inherent challenges within this discipline and why our knowledge of nutrition will continue to evolve. Offered: Fall A/B

IFN590 Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease

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PROGRAM SUMMARY / FAQ

Is the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition online ?

Yes! The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree is offered at Saybrook University in a completely virtual format. This allows students worldwide to access our exceptional program with skilled professors, resources, and networking opportunities. Keep in mind that though all required coursework is done virtually, Residential Conference (RC) may be required for certain courses with a residential training component.

How long does the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program take to complete?

The expected length of the online nutrition program is 4.5 to 5.5 years for Ph.D.; 5.5 to 6.5 years for M.S. to Ph.D. pathway. However, keep in mind that prerequisites may lengthen the time of study.

Is the online Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program flexible for students who are working?

Yes! Saybrook offers the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition online , with flexible completion time. Choose from part-time to full-time course loads that fit your schedule. This degree program is perfect for students who are working. Also, courses are offered online in an asynchronous format, giving you even more flexibility.

Are there any in-person events offered for students who wish to participate?

Yes! Though not required for completion of the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree, students may choose to attend any of Saybrook’s Residential Conferences (RC) where they can meet students, faculty, and staff from other degree programs.

What can I do with a Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition ?

Graduates from the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program can work in a wide variety of fields and settings. These include higher education, public health policy, and athletic organizations, and fitness facilities. The Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition offers graduates many opportunities to impact and improve lives through integrative and functional nutrition practices.

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At present, most universities and colleges offer online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (D.C.N.) degree programs in a hybrid form. It means that there are online classes available, but students are also required to complete residencies and attend occasional on-campus workshops.

100% online programs are practically non-existent in the case of this course of studies due to general requirements.

Growing health awareness also means a growing demand for nutrition experts. Who hasn’t tried following a diet at least once in their life?

We don’t like it when our clothes shrink in the dryer (that’s what we tell ourselves), and while it may not be healthy for all of us to look like supermodels, it is good to make sure that your body is doing well.

Following a diet is not easy, especially in the beginning, but it’s absolutely necessary for optimum health and overall well-being. Whether you often get sick, train for a sporting event, or want to fit in your last year’s jeans, you may find yourself in need of help. Here’s when clinical nutritionists come in.

But it may happen that you are on the other side of this equation. If you are passionate about health and the right nutrition and you feel like you could help others, following the career path of a clinical nutritionist may be the right choice for you.

It is already an integral part of the whole healthcare industry, and we can only expect its importance to continue to grow.

Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree programs provide advanced training in nutrition science and therapeutic diets to prepare graduates for successful careers as leaders in the nutrition field.

These programs enable graduates to help people understand and improve their health through food and nutrition education and to gain the necessary credentials to become dietitians or nutritionists.

5 Best Schools for Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) Degrees

University of north florida.

DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION

School Highlights: The University of North Florida’s Doctor of Clinical Nutrition online program emphasizes evidence-based practice, research, and leadership. Students learn the skills necessary to take on roles in the community, clinical, or higher education environments.

The curriculum is incredibly thorough and includes topics in the most crucial areas of nutrition, such as chronic disease prevention, cultural competency, and clinical treatment. This program can be completed full or part-time.

Students can only be admitted into the program if they have a master’s degree from an accepted institutional accreditor and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate study.

The coursework is completed 100% online, aside from the practice residency and the two-day workshops scheduled during the initial three years of the program.

Since it is offered fully online with a practice residency, students need to ensure that there is a State Authorization for Distance Education and whether they will be able to do a residency in their home state or elsewhere.

This rigorous doctoral degree ensures that graduates have a comprehensive understanding of clinical nutrition and its application in diverse settings and communities.

Coursework Sample:

Advanced Leadership & Public Policy
Teaching Nutrition in Higher Education
Grant Development

Campus Location: Jacksonville, FL

Accreditation:

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Did You Know? The University of North Florida offers primarily and fully online degree and certificate programs designed to provide high-quality learning experiences for students in Florida and beyond. The graduate programs offered online are quite extensive. It includes a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition, Master of Science in Nursing Leadership, and Master of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, among many others.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA’S DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION HYBRID PROGRAM

MARYLAND UNIVERSITY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTH

MARYLAND UNIVERSITY OF INTEGRATED HEALTH 1

DOCTOR OF CLINICAL NUTRITION

School Highlights: The Maryland University of Integrative Health provides a professionally oriented, hybrid-format Doctor of Clinical Nutrition.

It is designed to give post-graduate students a comprehensive approach to the profession, with coursework in functional nutrition, research, and publishing. The curriculum also requires the publication of original, peer-reviewed research in scientific journals.

The program is available to those who hold a master’s degree or to registered dieticians and registered nutritionists whose highest degree is a bachelor’s degree. The latter can enter the program without having to earn a master’s degree as a prerequisite for admission.

As a hybrid program, students must attend campus for four extended weekends for live learning sessions. Otherwise, the coursework, internships, and clinical requirements are all completed in individual home communities.

Graduates from MUIH demonstrate the ability to apply integrative and functional nutrition principles and provide advanced nutritional care for gastrointestinal, cardio-metabolic, immune, and neurologic issues, as well as many others.

Designing Research in Clinical Practice
Nutritional Approaches to Detoxification
Epigenetics and Nutritional Genomics

Campus Location: Laurel, MD

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Did You Know? The Maryland University of Integrative Health is recognized as one of the leading academic institutions for integrative health in the country. It has educated practitioners and leaders in health and wellness since 1974 by offering transformative programs from a blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary science. The university considers itself a healing presence through caring for patients and clients in the Natural Care Center, found within its campus. This is where licensed and certified professionals, along with student interns, practice under faculty supervision.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MARYLAND UNIVERSITY OF INTEGRATIVE HEALTH’S DOCTOR OF CLINICAL NUTRITION HYBRID PROGRAM

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

PhD OF CLINICAL NUTRITION

School Highlights: Rutgers University is an outstanding, historically American institution of higher education.

The Doctorate in Nutrition and Dietetics programs are some of the highest quality in the nation, and the Online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition was the very first of its kind. The curriculum is designed for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, specifically, and is strongly clinically focused.

With an emphasis on inter-professional collaboration and evidence-based practice, this clinical nutrition program can be completed by meeting its requirements, including online academic courses, advanced clinical practice residency, and practice-based research projects.

At the end of the program, students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge by becoming advanced dietetics practitioners for individuals, communities, and clinical populations.

However, Rutgers also offers a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) to Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) Dual Enrollment Program for undergraduate students. Coursework enhances skills in innovative, advanced, and autonomous research and practice.

There is also a particularly strong emphasis on interprofessional collaboration and evidence/practice-based research.

Lactation Education
Nutritional Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children
Weight Management and Disordered Eating

Campus Location: New Brunswick, NJ

Did You Know? Rutgers University, through its School of Health Professions, offers innovative and collaborative activities, including didactic and experiential exposure. This is more commonly known as Interprofessional Education, focusing on students’ exposure to roles and responsibilities, effective communication, and teamwork. They facilitate encounters or case conferences on a variety of health conditions several times a year. This is in an effort to showcase the necessity of a wide variety of disciplines working together to advance the welfare of patients and their caregivers or families as they navigate the complex healthcare system.

LEARN MORE ABOUT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY’S DOCTORAL DEGREE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS

DOCTORAL IN CLINICAL NUTRITION

School Highlights: The University of Kansas provides a doctoral curriculum in Clinical Nutrition that is designed for currently working professionals and registered dietitians.

The entire program is offered 100% online, with only one required visit to campus for orientation. The coursework focuses on all of the most pivotal techniques and knowledge in today’s interdisciplinary healthcare system.

To be admitted, potential students must possess current professional RDN licensure and have completed a master’s degree. Students are required to complete 48 credit hours within a maximum of 8 years and meet a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.0 across all their graduate coursework.

Students have access to the University of Kansas Medical Center, which operates as a comprehensive, state-of-the-art training and research facility and is home to the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition.

Graduates are prepared to work in college and university settings or as practicing clinical nutritionists while working through in-depth, cutting-edge, outcomes-based research projects.

Health Behavior Counseling
Nutrigenomics & Nutrigenetics in Health and Disease
Pharmacology in Clinical Nutrition

Campus Location: Kansas City, KS

Higher Learning Commission

Did You Know? The Kansas University School of Health Professions, located on the University of Kansas Medical Center campus, offers more than 25 healthcare programs, including five nationally ranked graduate programs. They have a very strong research tradition, seeking to advance science, improve clinical care, and contribute to healthcare teaching and scholarship. Their research programs include Dietetics and Nutrition, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, and Occupational Therapy Education, among others.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS’ DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION

FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY

DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION (DCN)

School Highlights: This Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition is an advanced practice degree that highlights evidence-based research and practice, as well as leadership.

It is one of the only programs of its kind to be accredited by the ACEND. The program offers an on-campus interprofessional education environment for both full-time and part-time students.

It is designed to improve the skills and knowledge of masters-level students to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists. It is also open to students with a bachelor’s degree who have completed the required prerequisites, as well as Registered Dietitians without a master’s.

The curriculum emphasizes serving underprivileged communities, which gives graduates the tools necessary to institute positive changes in their eating habits. Fairfield alumni are prepared to work in any number of settings, such as business and industry, education, public health, government agencies, and more.

Nutritional Biochemistry
Information Technology for Healthcare Improvement
Food Systems Practicum

Campus Location: Fairfield, CT

New England Commission of Higher Education
Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

Did You Know? Fairfield University is perfectly located in the picturesque New England town of Fairfield. It is just a mile away from the beach and an hour’s ride from New York City, making it one of the perfect college towns in the country. Students can easily explore it by foot, but they will never run out of things to do. They are also well-positioned to enjoy numerous internship and employment opportunities as Fairfield belongs to a region with the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY’S DOCTORATE IN CLINICAL NUTRITION

What does a Clinical Nutritionist do?

If you decide to work as a clinical nutritionist, you will be responsible for promoting healthy eating habits, which is much more than simply incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet. In some communities, people have no idea how to prepare healthy meals and are entirely unaware of how their choices affect their bodies.

There are those who still think that if you are not overweight, then everything is fine, but a healthy, well-nourished organism is about so much more than maintaining a healthy weight.

A clinical nutritionist or dietician is trained to find the correct approach to teach others about healthy nutritional choices to help them maintain a healthy and strong body that will always be capable of fighting diseases, infections, and more.

As a nutritionist, you will make individual nutritional assessments to be able to develop a personalized eating plan for each client based on their medical history, the current state of their health, lifestyle, and future goals.

The most common job opportunities involve helping people achieve their ideal weight or prepare for a special event, such as a marathon run. Additionally, a nutritionist is very often hired to plan meals for people with specific medical needs, such as diabetes, celiac disease, kidney disease, or food allergies.

How do I earn my Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree?

You can easily find an entry-level job as a nutritionist only with your bachelor’s degree. However, all healthcare practitioners are essentially required to keep advancing in their fields. With the development of technology and medicine, it is hard to stay afloat if you don’t keep educating yourself.

Enrolling in a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree program is an excellent way to broaden your knowledge, but it is only for those the most ambitious and hungry for new information.

Pursuing a doctorate degree will allow you to conduct extensive research, explore the areas that interest you the most, teach at the university level, obtain a consulting or administrative position, and gain general recognition in the field. Earning a doctoral degree will also increase your potential salary.

Prerequisites for the D.C.N. program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition or another health-related field. Areas of study may include:

the biochemistry of nutrients,
kinesiology,
eating disorders,
human metabolism,
nutritional epidemiology,
microbiology,
statistics,
metabolic imbalance,
and cellular nutrition.

You will also focus on:

the compounds in various foods and their effects on the human body,
the links between nutrition and aging,
weight management,
as well as the importance of proper nutrition in pediatrics, geriatric, maternity, and critical care.

What salary and career options will I have with my Clinical Nutrition Doctorate degree?

Clinical nutritionists can find employment in various clinics, hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, correctional facilities, spas, nursing homes, and other governmental health agencies. There are many areas of expertise in which a clinical nutritionist can specialize.

For example, you may choose to work as:

a sports nutritionist,
public health nutritionist,
weight loss consultant,
naturopathic nutritionist,
pharmaceutical product representative,
or holistic consultant who deals with organically grown foods.

What is interesting, it is not uncommon for clinical nutritionists to become registered nurses. It is a demanding job, often depending on a patient’s individual needs, but the working hours can be very flexible.

In today’s world, more and more people are becoming health-conscious. With this growing trend, additional nutritionists will be needed. The B.L.S. reports that this career has a potential growth rate of 7% between 2022 and 2032.

The average salary for a nutritionist or a dietitian was $66,450 annually as of May 2022, although the leading 10% earned as much as up to $95,130 per year.

Do I need to have a license to be a Clinical Nutritionist?

Most states will require a kind of certificate, licensure, or at least registration. If you plan to practice as a nutritionist or a dietitian, make sure to check your state’s regulations for specifics.

However, a certificate is not always the same as a certification.

Getting a certificate may be brief; it is very often about simply broadening the knowledge you already possess. For example, as a nutritionist, you may get a certificate to specialize, for example, in sports nutrition or nutrition for children.

But there’s also something called a National Certification, which is awarded to you by a regulated professional organization if you can prove that you have completed the necessary level of education and gained the much-needed experience in the field. In many cases, you will also need to pass a test. Several national certifications will require you to already possess your state’s licensure.

What schools offer Doctor of Clinical Nutrition programs?

Please, note that there are not any Doctor of Clinical Nutrition programs available 100% online. There will always be some on-campus or residency requirements for future nutritionists.

There are two schools offering a hybrid learning format in the U.S. at present. These are the Maryland University of Integrative Health , located in Laurel, Maryland, and the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. The former requires only a residency, but the latter requires a residency as well as attendance during some on-campus workshops.

On-campus doctoral degrees in clinical nutrition can be found at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut, and the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas.

What is the difference between a Nutritionist and a Dietitian?

The role of a dietitian, especially a registered dietitian, is more regulated than that of a nutritionist. A dietary doctor needs to acquire more official licenses or certifications to even be able to practice at all.

To use the title of a Doctor, whether as a dietitian or nutritionist, you need to have proof of your qualifications, which is an academic degree.

A dietary doctor and a doctor of clinical nutrition will have similar jobs, including diagnosing and treating some nutrition-related diseases. At the same time, a regular nutritionist can only help you with your diet and shouldn’t be involved in the treatment process.

What are the benefits of pursuing a career as a Clinical Nutritionist?

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the field of Clinical Nutrition, consider these benefits, such as:

Help people improve their health: Being a clinical nutritionist can provide great satisfaction from helping people improve their physical and mental health through nutrition education.
Career Growth Potential: Clinical nutrition offers an ever-expanding field with plenty of room to grow and expand into different specializations.
Flexibility: Clinical nutrition allows for a great deal of flexibility in terms of where you can work and the hours you work. You can work in a clinical setting, as part of a research team, in private practice, or as a consultant.
Variety: Clinical nutrition offers great variety, from consulting with individual clients to presenting seminars and public speaking engagements.
Job Security: The demand for clinical nutritionists is growing due to the increasing awareness of the importance of nutrition and its impact on an individual’s health. This point solidifies the notion that a career in clinical nutrition is secure.

If you want to follow the career path of a nutritionist, dietitian, researcher, or educator, you absolutely must have a genuine interest in helping others. To excel in the field of clinical nutrition, you need to be compassionate and caring, as you will be expected to work closely with people who are ill, very often severely or even terminally.

Apart from that, your state may require you to keep educating yourself so that you are always up-to-date with the newest medications, solutions, and approaches. And even if the state you live in doesn’t demand this from you, your patients and clients surely will.

Check these out, too:

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About the PhD in Human Nutrition Program

The doctoral program in Human Nutrition is designed to train professionals to identify, understand and solve, through scientific methods, problems of public health importance in human nutrition. Graduates are expected to assume leadership roles in academia, government, industry and other private sector enterprises.

This is a STEM designated program . Eligible F-1 visa students can receive an additional 24 months of work authorization, beyond the initial 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

PhD in Human Nutrition Program Highlights

Graduates will be prepared to advance knowledge in human nutrition through research and advocate the application of such knowledge through public health policies and programs.

GLOBAL NETWORK

Research opportunities in the U.S. and around the world

HEALTH EQUITY

Learn what influences food choices, diet quality, and diet-related health outcomes

CHRONIC DISEASE

Study nutrition-related chronic diseases and obesity

STEM DESIGNATED

Eligibility for a 24-month STEM OPT extension

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Human Nutrition?

Human Nutrition graduates enjoy careers in academia, government and nongovernment sectors, and industry. Alumni hold faculty appointments at leading universities and ministries of health on five continents and positions at major global health organization. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Associate Professor, UC Davis
Senior epidemiologist, CDC
Nutrition Specialist, The World Bank
Evaluation Specialist, Mercy First
Scientist, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Director, GWU

Curriculum for the PhD in Human Nutrition

Students develop the professional skills necessary to work effectively in leading roles at academic, research, programmatic and policy-setting institutions.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue , explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory , and find many more details in the program's Academic Guides .

Recent dissertations
Student timeline

Courses Available in the Following Areas:

Micronutrients
Maternal and Child Health
Newborn Health
Adolescent health

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Graduate Degree

A minimum of 1 year of postbaccalaureate education or experience such as a master's degree, a dietetic internship, medical training, or other relevant work experience

Prior Work Experience

Not required but highly desirable

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are required for this program. This program accepts the following standardized test scores: GRE. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Yeeli Mui, PhD '17, MPH, examines structural interventions to address food system issues and advance health equity through the lens of urban policy and planning.

Mika Matsuzaki

Mika Matsuzaki, PhD, MPH, MS, is a life-course epidemiologist studying how policies, built environments, and equity affect nutrition-related chronic diseases and obesity.

Julia Wolfson

Julia Wolfson, PhD '16, MPP, studies individual, structural, and policy factors that influence food choices, diet quality, and diet-related health outcomes.

Parul Christian

Parul Christian, DrPH '96, MSc, studies how to improve maternal and child nutrition and prevent micronutrient deficiencies with effective solutions in low-income settings.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Elisabeth Simmons, MEd Academic Program Administrator [email protected]

Nutrition Degrees » Nutrition Programs » PhD in Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs

PhD in Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs

A PhD in Nutrition is a highly flexible doctorate degree focused on research and implementation. Students will be expected to complete 1 to 2 years of core coursework and electives, followed by 1 to 3 additional years completing a research dissertation in their chosen topic area. Core coursework typically includes human nutrition, research practices, data analysis techniques, and emerging methods in the nutritional field.

Depending on their topic area, students can then cater elective choices to build the skills they need to successfully complete their chosen project. Programs vary in requirements for degree completion, but most doctorate programs have at least one preliminary examination, an oral defense of the dissertation topic, and a final dissertation defense. Some PhD programs may require additional examinations or prerequisites to advance through the program.

Consider a sponsored online Nutrition program currently accepting applicants.

School	Program	Admissions

Are there online PhD in Nutrition programs?

Yes, there are online PhD in Nutrition programs. However, most PhD in Nutrition programs require students to be in person to complete core coursework, work in laboratories with their faculty advisors, and fulfill in-person teaching and research requirements during their studies. In some cases, in-person programs may be able to be continued virtually after the first 2-3 years of coursework, as long as the student and their advisor have an agreement that the research is able to be conducted virtually.

A PhD is an academic doctorate degree, requiring students to complete an extended research project of their own choosing. PhD in Nutrition programs differ in prerequisites courses, coursework design, and interaction with faculty, but most programs will follow a similar progression. PhD in Nutrition programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete, depending on your chosen dissertation topic and pace of study. When choosing a degree program, students should assess their research interests, career trajectory, and the design of each program.

Who should consider a Doctor of Nutrition degree?

This type of degree is best suited for students who would like to enter leadership positions in research or industry. Because a PhD is a highly research-focused degree, students are expected to have a strong interest in research methods and progressing the nutritional field forward through their own research studies. Many students go on to take high-level roles in academia, government agencies, private sector industries, and non-profit organizations. When choosing a program, students should look closely at required milestones, available faculty to collaborate with, in-person or distance requirements, and program duration.

Top PhD in Nutrition degrees

There are many available PhD in Nutrition programs in the US, each of which differs slightly in program design. The following programs were chosen to showcase different program styles and concentration areas that may help you identify the right type of program for you.

University of Illinois (UI) at Chicago - PhD in Human Nutrition (HN) or Nutritional Sciences (NS)

The University of Illinois at Chicago offers two PhD in Nutrition offerings: Human Nutrition (HN) and Nutritional Sciences (NS). Human Nutrition is offered in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, while Nutritional Sciences is in the Division of Nutritional Sciences. Students decide between these concentrations based on their interests, faculty availability, and funding availability.

In general, the human nutrition concentration will include research in areas such as pediatric nutrition, geriatric nutrition, energy metabolism, epigenetics, the influence of diet on cancer, ingestive behavior, molecular mechanics of food, and related topics. Students interested in nutrition education, dietetics, and general wellness are also encouraged to choose this concentration. Students take interdisciplinary core coursework including classes in biochemistry, principles of food technology, seminars in foods and nutrition, and regulation of metabolism.

For students interested in academic careers of careers in medicine, the Nutritional Sciences PhD program is recommended. Many alumni from this program go on to hold faculty positions or complete their Medical Degree (MD) to work directly with patients. Students are required to complete core coursework such as a Nutritional Sciences Seminar, Topics in Nutrition Research, Regulation of Metabolism, and elective courses in their area of interest. Students usually work with their advisor to identify a topic area and choose electives based on their intended projects.

In both programs, students are required to complete qualifying examinations, preliminary examinations, and a dissertation defense to complete their doctorate. For those interested in becoming an RDN, UI offers an ACEND-accredited Distance Dietetic Internship and DPD Program coursework that can be completed alongside the Nutrition PhD.

Saybrook University - PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition

While not many fully online PhD in Nutrition programs exist, Saybrook University offers a fully online PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree. Students may either apply directly to the PhD program if they hold a Master's degree, or they may apply to the Master's to PhD pathway program. Students must have courses in nutrition, biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology to apply for the program. This program is 62-76 credits, depending on whether you are on a direct PhD or Master's to PhD tract, and is designed for students who are interested in learning how to apply functional biochemistry to help patients heal through integrative care plans. This program is best suited for existing nutrition professionals that would like to deepen their knowledge and develop their skill set to utilize the latest nutritional science to take their professional practice to the next level.

This program is flexible and students can choose between full-time or part-time course loads. Many students in this program work outside of their studies, and courses are offered asynchronously to maximize convenience. Students typically take 6 credit hours per 15 week semester and spend around 16 hours of time per week on their studies. While this program is designed for nutrition professionals that are outside of dietetics, there are options to modify the program to complete ACEND requirements to revise the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) verification statement after the completion of the program.

Oregon State University - PhD in Nutrition

This PhD in Nutrition program is designed for students interested in research careers in the nutrition field. Students are expended to have taken biochemistry, human nutrition, and physiology before entering the program, but coursework after admission can be tailored to student interests. Students who would like to focus on human nutrition generally take elective courses in areas such as exercise science and epidemiology, while students with a molecular nutrition focus take courses such as cell biology, advanced biochemistry, advanced biophysics, and molecular biology.

To complete the PhD program, students must take 108 credits following their Bachelor's degree, including a core curriculum. This curriculum includes nutritional seminars, advanced coursework in macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism, responsible research conduct, and dissertation credits. Students must also complete a professional oral presentation, pass their oral preliminary examination, and defend their PhD Dissertation.

Cornell University - PhD in Nutrition

The PhD in Nutrition at Cornell University is highly customizable, with four concentrations available for students. To advance to candidacy, students are expected to take six semesters of full-time coursework in nutrition and two additional graduation programs. Following advancement, students must defend their dissertation based on their own research. Students can choose a concentration in Community Nutrition, Human Nutrition, International Nutrition, or Molecular Nutrition.

When choosing Community Nutrition, students will focus on the causes of population-based nutritional issues and work to develop solutions. This can include areas such as understanding food choices, designing nutritional interventions, and understanding disparities between communities. The Human Nutrition Concentration is designed for students who are interested in how individual nutrition choices affect health and life quality. This includes maternal and child nutrition, metabolism, supplementation, the bioavailability of nutrients, and food intake studies. The International Nutrition Concentration explores widespread nutritional issues such as malnutrition, food availability, and chronic disease across communities, including food-borne illnesses. For students interested in the biological processes of nutrition and nutritional biochemistry, the Molecular Nutrition Concentration is a great option. This is a great option for students interested in being on the cutting edge of modern nutritional science, including exciting areas like nutrition genomics, transgenics, nutritional metabolomics, and epigenetics.

Johns Hopkins University - PhD in Human Nutrition

The PhD in Human Nutrition from Johns Hopkins University is designed for students who want to hold leadership roles in research and policy-type positions such as those in academia, private-sector, and government industries. Recent alumni spotlights include past students who now hold positions such as a Senior Epidemiologist at the CDC, a Nutrition Specialist at The World Bank, a Scientist at the Melinda Gates Foundation, and an Associate Professor at UC Davis. The program consists of four parts, including a non-thesis research project, a comprehensive exam, 2 oral exams, and 1 dissertation project. Students generally complete the program is four years of full-time study and leave the program with strong skills in four core competencies: Critically evaluating determinants of public health problems, qualitative and quantitative evaluation, ethical research practices, and professional skills needed to succeed in diverse environments.

Applications are due each December 1st for an August start date the following fall. When students matriculate into the program, they must take core academic course requirements to build their subject-matter expertise and research skills before embarking on their own research projects. Core courses include classes such as Principles of Human Nutrition in Public Heath, Food and Nutrition Policy, Nutrition and Life Stages, and Cellular Biochemistry of Nutrients. Students must also take research method classes such as Statistical Methods in Public Health 1-4.

University of Alabama - PhD in Human Nutrition

For those looking to complete their degree in a shorter time span than the traditional 4-5 years, this might be a great option for you. This program is designed to be completed over three years and is made up of 74 credit hours. This program meets objectives set by the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Students are trained to perform community research that can be implemented effectively Ito the community, using bench-to-bedside-to-community approaches. Students who complete this program are expected to be competent in translational research, communication methods, nutrition research practice, independent research, and skills needed to effectively educate diverse audiences.

Applications for this program are due February 1st each year and decisions for the Fall term are released mid-February. To apply for this program, students must have a Master's degree with a GPA above 3.5 or a GPA above 3.3 with a GRE score over 300. In some cases, students will a Bachelor's degree are admitted with a GRE score above 300. If a student's Master's degree is in a discipline outside of the nutritional field, certain prerequisite courses in nutrition must be taken in the first year of study in the program.

To complete their PhD, students in this program will need to take core coursework in Human Nutrition and maintain a GPA of over 3.0. Students then have to take a written comprehensive exam that covers the material of 5 core courses: (1) Contemporary Research Nutrition Sci, (2) Methods of Integrative Nutrition Access, (3) Nutritional Intervention, (4) Nutritional Epidemiology, (5) Secondary Analysis of Survey Data. Students must pass this exam to advance to candidacy. After passing this exam with at least an 80%, having their dissertation topic approved, designing a dissertation committee, defending the dissertation proposal through an oral exam, and completing core coursework, students can officially advance to candidacy. At this point, students complete their dissertation research under the guidance of their committee and committee chair. Once their research is complete, they defend their dissertation topic and receive their degree.

University of Wisconsin - PhD in Nutritional Sciences

The University of Wisconsin offers an Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (ICPNS) program that focuses on how students can apply nutritional knowledge across broad research fields. There are opportunities for students to connect with faculty across 19 different departments and take part in nationally-recognized research projects. The diversity of this program makes it ideal for students who are interested in taking a multidisciplinary approach to their research and would like to combine nutritional skills with skills in other fields. To encourage students to explore their interests, each PhD student will rotate through three labs during their first semester to explore different research and mentoring fits.

Students in this program are required to take 51 credits, 26 of which must be graduate-level. To complete this program, students must achieve a 3.0 GPA in the core coursework, pass a preliminary examination, and successfully defend their dissertation. While doctoral minors and Graduate/Professional certificates are not required, it is a great way for students to further customize their studies and boost their resumes for potential employers after graduation. Doctoral minors can be completed in two ways, either as an external doctoral minor or a distributed doctoral minor. Each requires 9 credits in an approved topic area with a GPA of at least 3.0. If you are intending to go into a specific field after graduation, a doctoral minor can help set you apart from other doctoral students. For example, if you plan on going into animal nutrition, completing a doctoral minor in veterinary sciences could be beneficial.

To enter this program, students are required to have completed prerequisite courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physiology. If these requirements are not met, certain students may be admitted on the requirements they complete the courses during their first year. Master's degrees in Nutrition are recommended but not required for this program, and applications are due each year on January 1st.

Top courses for an Online PhD or Doctorate in Nutrition program

PhD programs are research oriented, meaning the majority of your time will be spent working with your research mentor to design and implement a research project in your chosen area.

However, the first two years of most PhD programs have a core curriculum that is designed to help students build the skills needed to successfully complete their own projects and work in leadership positions within the field.

While each PhD in Nutrition program will have different core requirements, core courses you are likely to see will cover principles of nutritional sciences, food science, biochemistry, statistics, and research methods. Students also typically take at least one Doctoral Seminar, where they can discuss their ideas and learn from professors and students in the program. Though course names and numbers will vary, the topic focus will stay similar. Common core courses include:

Principles of Human Nutrition in Public Health

This course is often taken in the first semester of PhD in Nutrition programs and prepares students to integrate nutritional knowledge into their research and public health practice. For many students, this course is a great way to explore available topic areas and connect with faculty who can help them find a mentor in their focus area. This course also may cover historical practices o human nutrition, current assessment techniques, ethical practices, and emerging topics in the field.

Food and Nutrition Policy

Food and Nutrition Policy courses are designed to teach students how to interpret current nutrition regulations and advocate for effective change. This course introduces students to potential career areas in policy advocacy and government positions. This course also goes over systematic influences on food choices, how certain communities may be impacted differently, and the steps needed to implement new programs.

Cellular Biochemistry of Nutrients

Whether or not your focus area is in biochemistry, many PhD in Nutrition programs expect students to take at least one introductory course. Understanding the underlying biochemical principles of nutrients can deepen your understanding on human nutrition. Biochemistry of nutrients uses biological, chemical, and physical principles to explore metabolism, energy, genomics, and clinical nutrition.

Statistical Methods in Public Health

After deciding on a research question and collecting data, nutrition professionals need to be able to appropriately analyze the information and draw inferences. If you do not know how to correctly analyze subject matter information, your results may be biased or draw incorrect conclusions. Most PhD programs have a statistical methods course to introduce students to proper analytical procedures.

Qualitative Research Theory

Qualitative research theory courses help students learn how to design qualitative studies. Many nutritional research areas use qualitative research, which involves non-numerical data such as concepts, opinions, and experiences. Learning how to work with this type of data can set students up to enter diverse careers in the nutrition field. These courses draw on concepts from humanities and social sciences and often utilize interdisciplinary approaches.

Doctoral Seminar

Doctoral seminars vary widely in their focus, but most programs will have at least one seminar for students to ask questions, discuss ideas, and learn from others in the program. These seminars are designed for students to prepare themselves for upcoming milestones in the program. For example, one week the seminar might go over how to pick dissertation topics, while the next will cover how to apply for funding.

What can you do with this degree?

There are many applications for a PhD in Nutrition degree. PhD professionals often work in academic institutions, research settings, public agencies, or private industries. During their PhD program, most PhD students will angle their research and studies toward their career area. For example, a student who would like to become a Professor may seek out teaching opportunities during their program and focus their research in the area they hope to teach. A PhD student who plans to go into nutritional pharmaceutical industries might seek out internships with potential employers and develop a dissertation in a pharmaceutical area.

PhD in Nutrition degrees typically prepare students to enter leadership positions in their field. Leading public health research, managing teams of professionals, overseeing the implementation of a new program, and advising industry leaders are common areas students go into after graduation.

Nutritionist educator and career and salary info

Salaries for PhD in Nutrition graduates vary widely depending on the industry, location, and focus area of the position. Those who go into postsecondary education can expect a median annual wage of $79,640, while Nutritionists bring in a median annual wage of $61,650. For those going into scientific research professions, Agriculture and Food Scientists average around $74,160 per year, Epidemiologists make around $78,830 per year, and Microbiologists bring in around $79,260 per year. While these are median salaries reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, having an advanced degree such as a PhD often raises these salaries above the median wage.

Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine

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Doctor of Clinical Nutrition

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Human Nutrition and Functional Nutrition Career Pathways
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Admissions Information

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is clinically-focused and online, with emphasis on treating conditions and risk factors using dietary and nutritional interventions. Communities are struggling with an increasing burden of chronic, complex illnesses – many of which are perpetuated by suboptimal nutrition. To address the most challenging patient cases, we need expert practitioners, doctors of clinical nutrition, who can apply advanced evaluation and treatment strategies to find the underlying drivers of illness and help to resolve them. For this reason, our Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program utilizes a functional medicine model, enabling students to integrate the best available scientific evidence with a comprehensive, whole-person care approach. With this knowledge, doctors of clinical nutrition can also develop targeted, individualized prevention plans to help reduce the risk of chronic illness and support optimal physical, mental and emotional well-being for the patients and clients they serve.

Program Highlights:

Regionally-accredited program offered in collaboration with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).
Rigorous, clinically-applicable curriculum that is continually reviewed and updated with new research and findings.
Patient-centered approach to helping people achieve and maintain optimal wellness.
100-percent online format.
Interactive online learning experience featuring distinguished instructors and dedicated course facilitators to help you succeed.
Eligible for financial aid.

Do you qualify?

Macro-/micronutrients
Whole food nutrition
Nutritional supplementation
Meal planning
Functional medicine

Connect with our admissions team if you have any questions about your qualifications, requirements or the program in general.

Program Pace

Learning outcomes.

Apply appropriate patient/client evaluation methods to determine nutritional needs and clinical status.
Create nutrition-focused care plans that incorporate scientific evidence and sound clinical judgment to promote therapeutic goals and wellness.
Apply functional medicine tools and strategies that enable a whole-person approach to patient/client care.
Model ethical methods of practice that accord with applicable principles of jurisprudence.
Employ a collaborative approach to clinical nutrition care.

Requirements for graduation

Maintenance of enrollment eligibility through satisfactory academic performance, professional development and behavior, and non-academic behavior.
Successful completion of all required courses, lectures, labs, practicums, and seminars with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all required coursework.
Successful completion of minimum graduation requirements as officially communicated to students through the university catalog, student publications, and other official documents of the university.
Freedom from all indebtedness and other obligations to the university.

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Doctor of Clinical Nutrition

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Program Description

Admission requirements, learning outcomes, program format & schedule, tuition & fees, related programs, licensure, certification, & credentialing, career opportunities, upcoming webinars, program administration.

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program explores the principles and practice of functional nutrition to develop the next generation of leaders in the field. Functional nutritionists evaluate biological, environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors to address each individual’s unique health goals and needs. Students build the skills and knowledge to provide advanced nutrition care that incorporates personalized, evidence-informed plans. Research skills are emphasized, and students prepare publishable case report manuscripts.The program can be completed entirely online in 8-10 trimesters, depending on the start date:

Fall Start Date: 8 trimesters
Spring Start Date: 10 trimesters
Summer Start Date: 9 trimesters

Eligible applicants include those with certain master’s degrees and RD/RDNs with a bachelor’s degree (details below).

Your journey starts here. Programs now enrolling for Summer & Fall 2024.

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is designed for nutritionists, registered dietitians, other clinicians, educators, and researchers, who seek the high-level knowledge and skills to work in cutting-edge private practice or integrative medicine settings and contribute to the advancement of functional nutrition as a core discipline in healthcare. The program is open to individuals who hold specific master’s degrees (details below) and to registered dietitians (RDs)/registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) whose highest degree is a bachelor’s degree. RD/RDNs can enter the program without first earning a master’s degree.

Graduates are equipped with the tools they need to expand the types of clients and cases they work with, including individuals with complex clinical conditions. Graduates will hold the title doctor (Dr.), enhance their stature with clients and other healthcare professionals, and expand their job opportunities and career paths.

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is a professionally-oriented, clinical doctoral program designed to educate students in all aspects of functional nutrition. Functional nutrition uses a holistic, flexible, and personalized approach to address each individual’s unique health goals and needs. Functional nutritionists consider the root causes of symptoms, the relationship between environmental and lifestyle factors, genetic predisposition, core biological functions and imbalances, and disease expression to inform clinical assessment and recommendations.

The program reinforces and builds on students’ existing skills and knowledge in research literacy, ethics, and foundational nutrition; provides specialized coursework in nutritional genomics, environmental health, nutrition-focused physical exam, and case report writing; and explores advanced functional nutrition care in gastrointestinal, immune, cardio-metabolic, neurological, energy metabolism, and endocrine health. The program culminates with either applied practice within a clinical setting or an advanced clinically-oriented project.

There are two entry pathways for this program:

Master’s Degree/Doctoral Degree Pathway
RD/RDN Bachelor’s Degree Pathway

Fall, Spring, Summer

)

Note: The admission requirements for the master’s degree/doctoral degree pathway for the DCN program mirror the educational requirements for Certified Nutrition Specialist candidates.

Master of Science or Doctoral degree in nutrition or a related field (including, but not limited to, Public Health, Health Science, Biochemistry, Nursing, and Physician’s Assistant).
Doctoral degree in clinical healthcare (including, but not limited to, DC, DDS, OD, Doctor of Nursing, ND, and PharmD).

Degree must be from a degree-granting college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education , with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, or if a school uses a Pass/Fail system, passing grades in all coursework.

Nutrition Science: 12 semester credit hours at the graduate level. Examples include courses in macronutrients, micronutrients, life cycle nutrition, and nutrition therapy.
Biochemistry: 6 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level. 3 of these credits can be fulfilled by completing the Biochemistry course offered by Straighter Line .
Physiology or Anatomy & Physiology: 3 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level. This requirement can also be fulfilled by completing the Anatomy & Physiology I AND Anatomy & Physiology II courses offered by StraighterLine .
Clinical or Life Sciences: 12 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level. Examples include courses in biology, microbiology, epidemiology, biostatistics, botany, genetics, pathophysiology, and organic/inorganic chemistry. Three credits of research literacy may be applied toward the 12-credit requirement. Nutrition courses not used to meet the “Nutrition Science” requirement may be applied to the “Clinical or Life Sciences” requirements. Credits towards this requirement can also be fulfilled by completing the Introduction to Biology, Microbiology, and/or General Chemistry I courses offered by StraighterLine .
Behavioral Science: 3 semester hours at the undergraduate or graduate level. Examples include courses in psychology, motivational interviewing, and principles of health behavior/behavior change. This requirement can also be fulfilled by completing the Introduction to Psychology course offered by StraighterLine .

Coursework must be from a degree-granting college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ENTRY PATHWAY 2: Program Specific Requirements for the Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) Bachelor’s Degree Pathway:

Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, or if a school uses a Pass/Fail system, passing grades in all coursework
Hold the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Required Courses

This program consists of 44 credits of required courses.

MUIH500 University-Wide New Student Orientation (0 cr)
MUIH550 Academic Research & Scholarship (0 cr)
NUTR705 DCN Orientation (0 cr)
NUTR801 Principles of Integrative & Functional Nutrition (3 cr)
NUTR802 Nutritional Approaches to Detoxification (3 cr)
NUTR822 Epigenetics and Nutritional Genomics (3 cr)
NUTR823 Ethics in Clinical Nutrition (1.5 cr)
NUTR824 Research Literacy in Nutrition (3 cr)
NUTR831 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Gastrointestinal Health and Disease (3 cr)
NUTR832 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Immune Health (3 cr)
NUTR833 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Cardio-Metabolic Health (3 cr)
NUTR834 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Neurological Health (3 cr)
NUTR835 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Endocrine and Energy Health (3 cr)
NUTR837 Integrative and Functional Nutrition for Complex Cases (3 cr)
NUTR850 Nutrition Focused Physical Exam (1.5 cr)
NUTR8EXI Nutrition DCN Comprehensive Exam (0 cr)
RSCH811 Case Reports in Integrative Health (3 cr)
RSCH850 Research Manuscript I (1 cr)
RSCH851 Research Manuscript II (1 cr)

Choose one of the following for 3.0 credits:

NUTR904 Advanced Nutrition Clinic I (3 cr)
NUTR910 Advanced Nutrition Final Project I (3 cr)
NUTR905 Advanced Nutrition Clinic II (3 cr)
NUTR911 Advanced Nutrition Final Project II (3 cr)

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions are available in the Academic Catalog .

Advanced Standing for Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioners

Individuals who are Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) Certified Practitioners are eligible for 3 credits of advanced standing and will only need to complete 41 credits of coursework at MUIH. Such students are exempt from taking NUTR801 (3 cr). Advanced standing recognizes students’ certified learning in nutrition at the doctoral level. Advanced standing reduces credits, costs, and time to program completion for IFM Certified Practitioners.

To receive advanced standing, students MUST submit official documentation of their IFM certification BEFORE starting their first class at MUIH. Such documentation is only required to receive advanced standing; it is not required for admission into the program.

Students who complete the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program will be able to:

Apply principles of integrative and functional nutrition to provide advanced nutrition care in the areas of gastrointestinal, immune, cardio-metabolic, neurological, nutritional genomics, energy metabolism, and endocrine health.
Evaluate data from the client history, diet history, nutrition-focused physical examination, lifestyle, anthropometrics, genomics, environmental impacts, and laboratory findings to provide a comprehensive client assessment.
Synthesize didactic and clinical knowledge and skills and translate this into personalized nutrition care plans.
Apply principles of research methodology, bioethics, academic journal writing, and case studies in practice and research settings.
Promote nutrition and lifestyle interventions for disease prevention and health optimization as part of a collaborative healthcare team.

Program Format

This program is offered in the online format. Click here to view MUIH’s definition of online, hybrid, and on-campus course and program formats.

The program includes 1-2 weekends where you may be expected to participate in a synchronous (real-time) online classroom.

Program Schedule

For trimester start and end dates, see the Academic Calendar .

The program can be completed in 8-10 trimesters, depending on students’ start date.

There is a unique schedule of classes for each start date.

For students who start the program in the Fall trimester:

Trimester 1

NUTR700 DCN Orientation (0 cr)
MUIH500 University-Wide New Student Orientation (0 cr)

Trimester 2

Trimester 3

Trimester 4

Trimester 5

Trimester 6

NUTR837 Integrative and Functional Nutrition in Complex Cases (3 cr)

Trimester 7

NUTR904 Advanced Nutrition Clinic I (3 cr) OR
RSCH850 Research Manuscript I (1cr)

Trimester 8

NUTR905 Advanced Nutrition Clinic II (3 cr) OR

For students who start the program in the Spring trimester:

Trimester 9

Trimester 10

For students who start the program in the Summer trimester:

Trimester	Course Code	Cost per Credit	# of Credits	University Fee	Tuition Cost*
Fall ’24	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Spring ’25	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Summer ’25	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Total			18	$825	$18,702

*Prices subject to change. Tuition costs are for illustrative purposes only.

Additional Fees

Fees	Cost
	$50
	$150
	$275 All students, including students taking a voluntary break in enrollment. .
	$75/course After registration deadline and before start of the schedule adjustment period for current students $150/course During the schedule adjustment period for current students
	$100

Trimester	Course Code	Cost per Credit	# of Credits	University Fee	Tuition Cost*
Fall ’23	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Spring ’24	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Summer ’24	NUTR	$1039	6	$275	$6,234
Total			18	$825	$18,702

Master of Science in Nutrition and Integrative Health
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Culinary Health and Healing
Post-Masters Certificate in Nutrition & Integrative Health

Licensing requirements for nutritionists vary by state. Students are advised to check and stay apprised of the educational requirements for professional licensure in their state. To learn the most up-to-date laws and regulations, please refer to each state’s board of nutrition/dietetic practice. In addition, the American Nutrition Association provides a summary of nutrition licensing laws in each state; students are advised to read the entire state law for full detail.

The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) administers the advanced certification for personalized nutrition practitioners: Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS). Depending upon a student’s prior clinical training, the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition may complete the educational requirements needed for graduates to sit for the CNS exam. BCNS also requires that applicants complete 1000 hours of supervised practice experience and pass the CNS Certifying exam. The board reviews each applicant individually to determine eligibility. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists at https://theana.org/advocate. certify.

Graduates of the Doctor of Clinical Nutrition are eligible to apply to become a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. This board requires that applicants hold a professional doctorate and have at least 300 hours of nutrition education and a minimum of two years practice experience and write an article or paper on a nutritional topic that could be published. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the American Clinical Board of Nutrition at acbn.org .

The Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) reviews each applicant individually. They review all transcripts to determine eligibility. Interested individuals are encouraged to check for the most recent requirements with the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board at cncb.org .

The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition prepares students for careers in integrative health practices and health care organizations; to serve as educators in communities, in schools and in colleges and universities; to work in government agencies and/or policy settings; and to be leaders in the field of integrative and functional nutrition. Graduates will hold the title doctor (Dr.), enhance their stature with clients and other healthcare professionals, expand the types of clients and cases they work with, and expand their job advancement opportunities.

Graduates of MUIH’s nutrition programs are employed in a variety of settings including private practice; integrative group practices; nutrition clinics; health care systems; hospitals; community, non-profit, and outreach organizations; state and local health departments; school systems; culinary organizations; athletic and recreational organizations; and colleges and universities. Many graduates chose to have a portfolio career in which they have multiple positions and employers within one or more professions, rather than one full-time job. A portfolio career provides such individuals with variety in their work life and the opportunity to develop a wide and varied professional network.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates jobs for nutritionists and dietitians are projected to grow 7% from 2021 to 2031. The role of food in preventing and treating diseases, such as diabetes, is now well known. More dietitians and nutritionists will be needed to provide care for patients with various medical conditions and to advise people who want to improve their overall health.

View more about career opportunities.

Take a look at what our Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program offers and how MUIH is the choice for you!

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James Snow D.C.N. Department Chair

Eleonora Gafton, D.C.N. Program Director, Cooking Labs

Elizabeth Owens, M.S. Director, Experiential Programs

Jennifer Swetz, M.S. Nutrition Clinic Coordinator

Alexandra Wick Department Manager

Nissa Lazenby-Wilson, M.S. Cooking Lab Assistant Manager

Casey Opperman, M.A. Academic Advisor

Crystal Hoyt Academic Advisor

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Master of Nutrition Science and Policy Degree Program

Online + on-campus: the best of both worlds.

The Master of Nutrition Science and Policy (MNSP) degree program is designed for health professionals, international development professionals, career-changers, and recent graduates who are passionate about nutrition and health. If you're seeking a world-class program without having to disrupt your life or career, you've found it!

The program offers an interdisciplinary curriculum of advanced study in nutrition science, global and US food policy, global nutrition programs, and applied research skills.

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About Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition

The mission of the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy is to generate trusted science, educate future leaders, and produce real world impact in nutrition science and policy.

Nutrition programs of study draw upon the wealth of resources at the university. Tufts University is classified as a Research I University and ranked among the top 30 universities and colleges in America. Interdisciplinary programs involve faculty and scientists at all of the other seven schools at Tufts, including specialty concentrations in international food and nutrition; nutrition communications; agriculture, food and environment; humanitarian assistance; and clinical nutrition, health promotion and disease prevention.

Degrees Offered

PhD in Nutritional Sciences

Description.

The doctoral program in Nutritional Sciences offers interdisciplinary training to prepare students to meet the needs for expanding the base of new knowledge in nutritional sciences and to apply this knowledge in public health and clinical health care settings. The PhD program is designed to assist students in gaining an advanced understanding of nutrition and metabolism, and of related biological, biochemical, molecular, and behavioral sciences, in acquiring skills in research methods, and in developing timely and original hypotheses in nutritional sciences. Students first undertake coursework covering the fundamental areas of study and the core knowledge areas. Students then develop their dissertation project, an original research endeavor focused on one primary and another secondary core knowledge area. A general and a final examination are required to complete the degree.

Applicants to the PhD program in Nutritional Sciences may also apply for the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (GCPD) to incorporate the coursework and supervised practice necessary to sit for the Registered Dietitian Exam while completing the PhD degree.

Likely Careers

The PhD program prepares students for careers in teaching and research in academia, industry, and government.

Evidence of experience related to the broad areas of nutrition, dietetics, public health, or research.

Note: We are accepting applications to our PhD program only from students currently enrolled in our master’s programs. Suspending admissions to outside applicants allows us the opportunity to review and revise our curriculum and improve student opportunities.

Application Deadline: Dec. 1 for Autumn Quarter entry

Competencies

Upon satisfactory completion of a PhD in Nutritional Sciences, graduates will be able to:

Meet the competencies established by the School of Public Health for all MS and PhD students;
Apply knowledge of human nutrient requirements and their relationship to metabolic pathways and physiological function to the design of research, teaching, and policy proposals;
Select appropriate methods to perform an in depth assessment of the nutritional status of individuals and groups as part of a planning process that takes into consideration the planned outcomes, uses of the assessment and resource limitations;
Justify the importance of nutritional sciences in terms of how nutritional factors across the lifespan affect etiology, incidence, and prevalence of major diseases, quality of life, and productivity at work and school in the population;
Critically examine the process, rationale and issues related to establishing nutrient requirements and dietary guidance for the population;
Apply conceptual models of evidence-based approaches to promoting nutritional health;
Construct testable hypotheses, develop appropriate study designs, and conduct research, which will significantly expand knowledge of nutritional sciences;
Disseminate research findings through oral presentations and peer reviewed journals;
Develop and prepare proposals for procuring research funding; and
Develop and provide instruction in a higher education academic setting, demonstrating use of evidence-based pedagogical principals.

The Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024

If you’re looking to advance your career in nutrition and dietetics, we rank the most affordable PhD degree programs in clinical nutrition.

Top 10 Affordable Online PhD in Clinical Nutrition Degree Programs

Maryland university of integrative health, rutgers university, university of north florida, saybrook university, university of kansas, university of western states, florida international university, texas tech university, oregon state university, fairfield university.

University of Kansas 88%
Oregon State University 83%
University of North Florida 71%
Texas Tech University 67%
Florida International University 64%
Fairfield University 52%
Florida International University 24 to 1
Texas Tech University 21 to 1
University of North Florida 19 to 1
Oregon State University 19 to 1
University of Kansas 17 to 1
Fairfield University 12 to 1
University of Western States 7 to 1
Fairfield University $54,455
Oregon State University $10,425
University of Kansas $10,092
Texas Tech University $8,935
Florida International University $4,721
University of North Florida $3,996
Saybrook University $20,856
Fairfield University $20,034
Maryland University of Integrative Health $15,269
Oregon State University $13,446
University of Western States $10,566
University of Kansas $9,989
Florida International University $9,119
University of North Florida $8,570
Texas Tech University $6,956

Key Takeaways

Only a select number of accredited online college programs offer Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degrees. However, a number of graduate schools do offer relevant online nutrition and dietetics programs.
The cost of a doctorate in clinical nutrition program varies, but on average, affordable doctorates cost around $40,000.
State of residency, per credit hour cost, technological, and membership fees are some of the factors that affect a nutrition program’s total tuition fee.

The doctorate in clinical nutrition is required to become a certified nutrition specialist in a clinical setting. Certified clinical nutrition and dietetics professionals play a central role in public health and wellness.

Clinical nutrition students will earn valuable credentials and qualifications in areas like community nutrition, sports nutrition, nutrition science, nutrition counseling, and more. Some graduate students even go on to innovate in the area of food and nutrition entrepreneurship.

However you choose to apply this doctorate in food science, you’ll have plenty of exciting professional opportunities. Federal reports indicate that positions for Dietitians and Nutritionists are among the fastest-growing in the market, with an expected growth of 7 percent from 2021 to 2031 . As a result, there’s increasing popularity and demand for clinical nutritionists who pass the Clinical Nutrition Certification board exam.

However, many health sciences professionals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree may already be working in the field. For this reason, a growing number of schools now offer 100% online and hybrid learning format options for those interested in advancing their careers as clinical nutritionists.

Many of these online programs are also geared toward those with specializations like medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition, nutrition research, and nutrition sciences. If you’ve already earned an affordable master’s degree in nutrition and gained some experience in the field, it’s time to take a leap and enroll in an affordable online doctorate in clinical nutrition program.

Featured Programs

The cost of a doctorate in clinical nutrition.

According to recent data from NCES , the average tuition fee for a graduate degree at private universities is $26,597, and $11,673 at public universities.

However, the total cost of a clinical nutrition degree varies based on the university, particularly for in-state and out-of-state students, just like any other degree.

Tuition at colleges is frequently assessed per credit. At public universities, per-credit costs can be as low as $300, while at private universities, they can be as high as $2,000.

Affordable online clinical nutrition doctorate degree programs could have a total tuition cost of $40,000. At some out-of-state institutions, online students are entitled to in-state tuition rates.

Non-Academic Costs

It’s vital to remember that PhD students who are enrolled online may pay non-academic costs that campus students do not pay. Typical non-academic costs for students enrolled in online programs may include:

Online course fees

The college must invest in designing and providing online programs. This can involve hiring new instructors, creating new content, and creating or purchasing an online platform for learning and collaboration.

Extra technology fees

Technology fees are occasionally included in the aforementioned online course fees but can also be a separate line item. These fee typically encompass the online learning platform and any additional technology required to run online courses and programs.

Membership fees

Some online degree programs will charge online students membership fees to some dietetics and nutrition organizations, such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. These costs may seem unnecessary to some, but these organizations will help you grow professionally and give you many valuable networking opportunities.

Indirect Expenses

In addition to the above-mentioned direct costs, students should also consider indirect expenses, such as transportation for on-campus requirements. When enrolling in classes for the first time, some universities require all students to attend an in-person orientation program, regardless of how they intend to study.

Some colleges may also require students to travel to the school. Most commonly, graduate schools will require students enrolled in their online master’s or doctorate programs to attend a week-long residential program at the end of one or more multiple academic calendar years.

Before enrolling in any online program, be sure you are fully aware of any travel or residential requirements.

Financial Aid

PhD students may be eligible for financial aid, scholarships, and grant or fellowship opportunities. In fact, depending on the nature of your online PhD program, your graduate school may even offer full tuition coverage in addition to coverage for housing, research, and even a cost-of-living stipend. Make sure you learn everything you can about your financial aid options before committing to a school.

Admission Requirements for Online Clinical Doctorates

Candidates for admission to clinical nutrition or similar nutrition programs must be Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs).
International candidates must possess a qualification that satisfies US criteria as determined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in clinical nutrition or nutritional sciences program, or a field relevant to health sciences and nutrition (with a minimum GPA of 3.4).
Candidates must be clinical RDNs with at least three years of nutrition and food systems experience.

Required Admissions Materials for Online Doctoral Candidates

Transcripts from the highest degree earned.
RDN Commission on Dietetic Registration Number (if required by the university)
Resume or CV
A letter of intent
Letters of recommendation

10 Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorates

Student body

Maryland University of Integrative Health’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

One of the country’s top academic centers for integrative health is the Maryland University of Integrative Health . MUIH gives students access to cutting-edge clinical teaching models, collaborations with influential professors, and opportunities for exciting, independent research.

MUIH’s online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition costs $1039 per credit hour and is among the most affordable and popular online clinical nutrition degrees. Graduate students learn about functional nutrition through a holistic framework and an emphasis on both individualized nutrition and the biochemical and physiological explanations for nutrition disorders. The program includes courses that will prepare students to become proficient clinical nutritionists.

Required Credits: 48
Completion time: 2.5 years
Format: Online

What we love about Maryland University and Integrative Health

More than 20,000 clinical treatments and consultations are provided annually by student interns and licensed practitioners at the MUIH’s on-campus Natural Care Center and in outreach programs for the local community.

Maryland University and Integrative Health is great for students who:

Want a holistic approach to earning their degree and enjoy a tight-knit community campus where everyone knows everyone.

Maryland University and Integrative Health might not be the best fit for students who:

Want a diverse learning environment and a party-school atmosphere.

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Rutgers University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Mathematics
Criminal Justice
Social Work
Anthropology

Most Influential Alumni

Milton Friedman
Philip Roth
Judea Pearl
Toni Morrison
Nel Noddings
Louis Freeh
John McWhorter
Selman Waksman
Richard Florida
Amiri Baraka
Rudy Rucker
Stanley Norman Cohen

Rutgers University is a statewide academic health leader as well as a powerhouse in the fields of research, health, and education. At Rutgers, students seeking undergraduate degrees, professional studies, graduate degrees, graduate medical education, and postdoctoral education are served by 29 schools and institutions. One of the schools is the Rutgers School of Health Professions , which provides both instruction and individualized patient treatment. The School of Health Professions is recognized as a leader in developing dynamic, holistic healthcare practitioners.

Rutgers Schools of Health Professions offers an affordable online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition designed for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN). While coursework can be completed via web learning, online students must attend three or more on-campus visits and face-to-face virtual meetings to collaborate with peers and faculty. Students will complete didactic classes, an advanced clinical nutrition practice residency, and both a practice-based project and a research based project.

Required Credits: 50
Completion time: 3 years
Format: Hybrid

What we love about Rutgers University

All of the instructors are engaging, willing to help, and highly knowledgeable in their subject areas.

Rutgers University is great for students who:

Can strike a balance between studies and parties because Rutgers offers plenty of opportunity for both.

Rutgers might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer to study in a small and quiet campus.

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Tuition + fees

Median SAT/ACT

University of North Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Computer Science
Political Science
Communications
Ulysses Owens
Paul T. Jaeger
James E. Carr

The University of North Florida is one of the 12 public universities in the State University System of Florida. UNF consistently earns high marks for both quality and value. The University has received various honors, including the Carnegie Foundation’s renowned Community Engagement Classification, which is held by just 5% of US universities.

The Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition is an $852.53 per credit hour advanced practice degree program designed to help registered dietitians achieve their professional and academic goals. This degree program focuses on assisting RDNs in developing progressive leadership, research, and practice skills.

The doctor of nutrition online degree combines online coursework with advanced practice residency. Students also earn access to the school’s unique applied scholarship for RDNs seeking leadership roles in clinical nutrition, community nutrition, or post-secondary education.

Required Credits: 54
Completion time: Online

What we love about the University of North Florida

Cultural diversity is one of the things to love at UNF. Many students praise the accepting environment at UNF, noting that there is an active LGBTQ+ community and that students are welcoming to people of all backgrounds.

The University of North Florida is great for students who:

Want to have high-quality education on a small campus.

The University of North Florida might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer a huge campus and lecture-style classes.

Saybrook University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Richard Tarnas
Melanie Joy
Christopher Ryan

Saybrook University offers a community profoundly entrenched in humanistic tradition and committed to assisting students in realizing their greatest potential. Saybrook University provides an MA degree and a doctoral degree via distance learning. Saybrook University offers challenging graduate education experiences and encourages transformative change in people, groups, and communities with the goal of creating a more just, compassionate, and sustainable society.

One of Saybrook’s top online doctorates is the Integrative and Functional Nutrition PhD, which costs $1,349 per credit . This degree program looks at environmental effects, genetic predisposition, physiological and psychological reasons for disease, and the implications of basic dietary recommendations. The degree program also incorporates digestive health science and examines the underlying causes of nutritional imbalance.

This degree was designed to help current nutrition and health professionals stand out in a crowded field, complement the skill set of non-nutrition health care practitioners, or open doors for experts from non-scientific backgrounds to enter the field. The degree program is also intended to satisfy the primary academic prerequisites for the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board’s (CCNB) Certified Clinical Nutritionist credential (CCN).

Required Credits: 62
Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years

What we love about Saybrook University

Saybrook sincerely cares about bringing together the local community and creating a sense of belonging. Students are encouraged to become problem solvers inside and outside their fields.

Saybrook University is great for students who:

Want to have individualized attention and personalized degree programs.

Saybrook University might not be the best fit for students who:

Do not want to become part of a tight-knit community.

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University of Kansas’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Earth Sciences
Vernon L. Smith
Paul R. Ehrlich
Richard Herrnstein
Frank Harris
Robert Morris
Roger Barker
Larry Laudan
Martin Gutzwiller
Wilt Chamberlain
Clyde Tombaugh
Hobart Muir Smith

The University of Kansas is one of only 65 US institutions affiliated with the Association of American Universities (AAU). The University of Kansas is frequently recognized as a top research university and receives consistently high academic rankings in numerous disciplines. As a school that focuses on helping students achieve their educational goals without breaking the bank, the University of Kansas has extended its campus to online learning with flexible 8-week and 16-week formats. Additionally, the university spends an average of $292.6 million per year on externally funded research.

University of Kansas’s online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition is one of the cheapest doctorates in the US, costing only $421.15 per credit hour.

This DCN is only open for applicants with RDN licensure and a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in clinical nutrition or other nutrition-related graduate degrees. This program is geared toward improving evidence-based practice and helping advanced practitioners develop critical research skills.

What we love about the University of Kansas

The University’s community is its strongest suit. There’s a place for everybody on this campus, whether you involve yourself in athletics, academics, or cultural groups. Due to the numerous organizations and groups at the University of Kansas, students will never have a dull moment.

The University of Kansas is great for students who:

Are interested in working with a faculty mentor on research.

The University of Kansas might not be the best fit for students who:

Are not accepting of diversity because the University of Kansas is one of the most diverse institutions in the Midwest.

University of Western States’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

The University of Western States is the second-oldest chiropractic teaching program in the world and has been a pioneer in fusing science and health. UWS takes pride in offering a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum that helps students gain the knowledge and skills required to evaluate patient-clients.

Recognizing the need for clinical nutrition professionals, the University of Western States offers an affordable $687 per credit hour online Doctor of Clinical Nutrition .

This degree was designed to help nutrition practitioners gain advanced training to assess and manage patient-clients experiencing complex chronic illnesses. Students will learn to promote wellness through optimal diet and lifestyle. Graduates will be able to use proper techniques for patient/client evaluation, provide a holistic diet, and use a cooperative method for clinical nutrition care.

Required Credits: 65

What we love about the University of Western States

UWS is primarily known for their evidence-based instruction and fantastic campus. The university makes sure that students also have many options for community involvement.

The University of Western States is great for students who:

Appreciate small towns, the outdoors, and are incredibly driven.

The University of Western States might not be the best fit for students who:

Are looking for a party atmosphere.

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Florida International University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Carmen Reinhart
Andy García
Mike Lowell
Richard Blanco
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
James F. O'Brien
Christopher Ferguson
Carlos Arroyo
Norma M. Riccucci
Irma Becerra Fernandez
Dale Schilly

Florida International University is a top-tier school known to be one of the best universities for research and development. By addressing some of the day’s most pressing scientific issues, FIU has established itself as one of South Florida’s cornerstone institutions over the past 50 years.

FIU’s online PhD in Dietetics & Nutrition charges students $4,101 per semester in tuition, making it one of the most affordable PhDs. Core courses can be completed online, with approval from the school. Some elective courses are taken on-campus to allow students to work beside FIU’s prominent educators, researchers, and practitioners.

In addition to coursework and dissertation, students must participate in various career and research development seminars, colloquium presentations, and workshops. These activities will boost what they’ve learned throughout the PhD program and help them build a professional network.

Required Credits: 55
Completion time: 5 years

What we love about Florida International University

The various student bodies this university attracts, along with its commitment to innovation and its strategic focus on the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, set it apart from other universities.

Florida International University is great for students who:

Thrive in diversity and can complete rigorous coursework in a very competitive environment.

Florida International University might not be the best fit for students who:

Expect to receive personalized attention from a small college with a low student-to-faculty ratio.

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Texas Tech University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

John Hinckley Jr.
Arati Prabhakar
James T. Richardson
Mica Endsley
Carolyn Eisele
Paul E. Gray
Guy McPherson
John Denver
Manuel H. Johnson
M. David Rudd

Texas Tech University is classified as an R1: Doctoral University for its very high level of research. Due to its affordability, Texas Tech is one of the best universities in terms of return on investment. Every student benefits significantly from the university’s influential alumni, cutting-edge facilities, and over 460 student organizations.

Texas Tech’s PhD in Nutritional Sciences is one of the most affordable and flexible online doctoral degrees. While the program is provided in a hybrid format, students can decide how many credit hours they’ll enroll in each semester. This nutritional science PhD has been praised for the faculty’s publishing works, which appear in many journals covering clinical nutrition, gerontology, sports nutrition, applied physiology, and biology.

Students can combine nutrition education and food science with other fields in the College of Human Sciences, such as obesity, addiction, human development, and education.

Required Credits: 72

What we love about Texas Tech University

Texas Tech provides fantastic scholarships for those that excelled academically in high school. Tech also provides big-city opportunities with a small-town atmosphere.

Texas Tech University is great for students who:

Are well-rounded with a strong sense of school pride.

Texas Tech University might not be the best fit for students who:

Are very conservative and are not welcoming of diversity.

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#2 Most Affordable Colleges in Oregon 2024
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Oregon State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Linus Pauling
Douglas Engelbart
Michael Waterman
Katharine Jefferts Schori
Derald Wing Sue
Gary Payton
George Andrews
Paul Hugh Emmett
Jerald Ericksen
Philip Emeagwali
William J. Ripple
George I. Mavrodes

Oregon State University is a big campus with a thriving social scene and over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree options. The school focuses on research and has access to more funding than students at any other public university in Oregon, allowing undergraduates to conduct research in a wide range of fields. Additionally, OSU is one of just two land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant universities in the country.

Oregon State University’s PhD in Nutrition is one of the most affordable hybrid nutrition PhDs available, and combines research with coursework to prepare students for career opportunities in clinical nutrition. Students can choose elective courses in epidemiology or exercise science. Additionally, PhD students can take advanced courses in biochemistry and physics as well as molecular and cell biology.

Required Credits: 59-62

What we love about Oregon State University

OSU’s reputation for academic excellence and affordability. On top of being a land-, sea-, space- and sun-grant university, it is the only university in Oregon to earn Community Engagement classification and the top accreditation for research universities from the Carnegie Foundation.

Oregon State University is great for students who:

Thrive in large campuses and class sizes.

Oregon State University might not be the best fit for students who:

Prefer a college in a large town.

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Fairfield University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Peter Pronovost
Brian P. Monahan
Kevin Nealon
Robert J. Wicks
John T. Lis
Charles E. Schaefer
Ronald A. Bosco
Donald Preziosi
Kevin Kiernan
Tatiana Foroud
James Lewis Abbruzzese
Robert J. McMahon

Fairfield University is one of the country’s smallest but most progressive universities and has graduated skilled, talented, and socially conscious leaders. Fairfield offers a setting where the education is more in-depth, the relationships are more profound, and the experiences are retained long after graduation. Fairfield provides students with chances for professional growth and experience-based learning that will give them a competitive edge in today’s labor market.

Students interested in an affordable on-campus doctorate should consider Fairfield’s traditional Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition , which accepts applicants who haven’t yet earned their RDN licenses. The program is among the cheapest traditional doctorate programs, costing only $1,090 per credit hour . Graduates of the program qualify to sit for the credentialing exam given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Required Credits: 71
Completion time: 3-4 years
Format: On campus

What we love about Fairfield University

Fairfield University has an extremely tight-knit community, offering a strong and accepting environment that makes everyone feel at home.

Fairfield University is great for students who:

Find a small community in the suburbs fun and exciting.

Fairfield University might not be the best fit for students who:

Want to have more diversity in the classroom.

Image Attributions

Image Source for Rutgers University

The Nutrition (NUT) field of study strives to improve human health through better nutrition and lifestyle. Students in the NUT field of study use research to increase understanding of how diet influences health at the molecular and population levels. Nutrition at the Harvard Chan School prepares researchers and practitioners to develop nutritional strategies, inform public policy, and disseminate nutrition information to health professionals and the public.

Department overview

The Department of Nutrition was established in 1942 as the first nutritional department of its kind in any medical or health center worldwide. The NUT Department contributes towards an understanding of biological mechanisms underlying the effects of nutrition metabolism and health.

Degree programs

The 65-credit Master of Public Health provides early professionals with the breadth of knowledge and subject-specific expertise needed to forge a successful career in public health. Applicants are required to have a bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience.

Abbreviation: MPH-65
Degree format: On campus
Time commitment: Full-time
Average program length: 1.5 years (three semesters with a summer practicum after the first two semesters)

The Doctor of Philosophy is designed for students seeking specialized scientific and technical expertise to propel an academic or research career in one of two areas of specialization: Nutritional Epidemiology or Public Health Nutrition.

Abbreviation: PhD PHS
Average program length: Four years (typically two years of classes and two years of research)

The Doctor of Philosophy is designed for students seeking rigorous training in biochemistry and cell biology that may be applied toward solving nutritional problems in the laboratory.

Abbreviation: PhD BPH
Degree format: On Campus
Average program length: Five years

Student interests

Students who choose Nutrition (NUT) are passionate about strategies to develop, analyze, evaluate, and translate data from interventions, programs, and policies typically used in public health nutrition.

NUT students are interested in incorporating the roles of diet and lifestyle, how they interact with genetic factors, and the cause or prevention of public obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, reproductive disorders, and other health conditions.

Career outcomes

Students who choose the Master of Public Health (MPH) in Nutrition (NUT) participate in the summer practicum experience, which often opens up career opportunities with local organizations.

Graduates of the MPH program have found employment as:

Research analysts at consulting firms
Program coordinators at community-based organizations
Project directors at city, state, and federal health commissions
Leadership positions at non-profit organizations

Graduates of the PhD programs have found employment in:

Postdoctoral positions
Tenure-track faculty positions
Management/research positions at government agencies

Search NYU Steinhardt

Doctor of Philosophy Nutrition and Dietetics

In the Nutrition and Dietetics doctoral degree, you will choose a specialized area of study and build upon foundational courses in dietetics and research methods before proposing, writing, and defending a unique dissertation.

Nutrition PhD candidates Rachel Ryan and Miriam Mahmood with Assistant Professor of Clinical Nutrition Jessica Bihuniak.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics

Research Topics

Careers and outcomes, doctoral expectations.

A core component of completing the doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics is writing and defending a dissertation on a relevant research topic of your choosing. You will work closely with faculty mentor(s) throughout the dissertation process to structure and advance the project.

Previous graduates have selected a range of topics to explore in their dissertations, including individuals’ cooking beliefs, students’ eating behaviors, and the relationship between nutrition and various food environments.

Learn more about the process for completing this degree and view the full curriculum .

The doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics offers an interdisciplinary course of study that prepares you for advanced teaching, research, administrative, and leadership positions in academic, public health, government, or other industry institutions.

Departmental participation including Fall and Spring doctoral seminar

Engagement in research project development

Teaching experience and curriculum development

Candidacy examination and research proposal in the second year

Work with a primary mentor

Research Spotlight

Recent PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics graduate Dr. Miriam Mahmood investigated the feasibility and outcomes of an internet-based, culinary behavioral weight loss program for NYU undergrads.

Explore the Research

Funding for Full-Time PhD Students

We offer our full-time doctoral students a competitive funding program that includes tuition and living expenses and includes teaching opportunities, and faculty mentoring. All doctoral applicants regardless of citizenship will be considered for scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. US students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1 to also be considered for student loans. For more information about financial aid see the Steinhardt Financial Aid website and the NYU Financial Aid website .

If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Dr. Kristie Lancaster at [email protected] .

Nutrition and Food Studies

411 Lafayette Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10003 Phone: 212-998-5580 Email: [email protected]

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Take the next step.

Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.

Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences

Degree type, program description .

The doctoral degree program is designed to prepare students for research, teaching and administrative positions in colleges, universities, government and industry. Competence in related fields is emphasized, and supporting work is selected from areas such as biochemistry, biology, molecular biology, computer sciences, genetics, communication, geriatrics, immunology, physiology, kinesiology, psychology and health promotion.

The doctoral program typically requires four to five years of full-time study. Students are expected to meet the following requirements for admission to candidacy by the end of the second year:

Completion of courses conditional to admission;

18 semester hours in nutrition, including the following courses with a grade of at least B in each: Nutrition 390 (Topic 1: Advances in Nutritional Sciences I), 390 (Topic 6: Molecular Nutritional Sciences), 390 (Topic 7: Advances in Nutritional Sciences II), and 394 (Topic 1: General Nutrition);

Six hours of graduate coursework outside nutrition in fields germane to the dissertation research, such as biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, educational psychology, curriculum and instruction, health education, and kinesiology;

Presentation and defense of a dissertation research proposal and satisfactory response to questions on nutrition and related sciences; and

Approval by the Graduate Studies Committee of the proposed course plan and proposed dissertation research program. Further supporting work in nutrition or related sciences is usually needed to augment the program. All doctoral candidates must write a dissertation based on the results of their original research and must make a formal oral defense of the dissertation. The Graduate Studies Committee must certify that all of the degree requirements have been completed.

Learn more about degree requirements and course descriptions .

Nutrition, PhD

Transform the health of the person, population, and the planet through through advanced nutrition science, offered on-campus only.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in nutrition prepares you for a career in academia, governmental agencies, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. The program is designed to provide an advanced curriculum in nutrition, professional skills, and competencies required to support careers in teaching and research. This program is unique in that it provides evidence-based didactic and research training on plant-based nutrition and sustainable nutrition.

Apply Now

Connect with Sujatha Rajaram, Program Director, at [email protected] .

Possible Careers

Preventive nutrition programs
Public health
Scientific consultant

Program Details

Learner outcomes.

Upon graduation from the Ph.D. in Nutrition program, the graduates should be able to:

Evaluate advanced knowledge in nutritional science and explain the biological mechanism underlying the relationship between nutrients, foods, diet patterns, and health.
Critically evaluate the evidence base and advocate for the role of plant-based diets in promoting the health of the individual, population groups, and the planet.
Apply analytical and fundamental concepts in nutritional epidemiology.
Apply ethical standards to conduct a research study that addresses a nutrition problem, collect/abstract, analyze, and interpret the data, and report findings.
Effectively communicate nutritional science, orally and in writing, to the scientific community and the public, to advance the field and to promote public health.
Use best-practice modalities in pedagogy to deliver educational experiences in an academic setting.

Educational Effectiveness Indicators

Assessment from required courses
Comprehensive examination
Dissertation proposal defense (qualifying examination)
Dissertation manuscript: submission of two manuscripts from the dissertation to peer-reviewed journals. One manuscript published in peer-reviewed journal (from dissertation or non-dissertation).
Oral defense of dissertation
Teaching assistant
Presentation at a scientific conference

50+ Years of Nutrition Research

Legacy of over 50+ years of research on plant-based and sustainable nutrition.

The Loma Linda University School of Public Health has a rich history of plant-based nutrition research. We engage in interdisciplinary research across public health disciplines and the Basic Sciences. This collaborative way of working is how we continue to promote and build on our core legacy of vegetarian and plant-based nutrition. Some key studies include:

Nutritional epidemiology studies relating plant-based diet patterns to health outcomes and longevity (the Adventist Health Study )
Several clinical trials with plant foods ( nuts and soy) intervention and health outcomes
Environmental impact of plant-based diets compared to animal-inclusive diets.

Areas of curricular strength and research emphasis include:

Plant-based diets and the health of the individual, populations, and the planet
Nutritional epidemiology
Diet and chronic disease risk reduction
Community nutrition

Leading the conversation on plant-based nutrition

Guided by its Nutrition faculty, the School of Public Health hosts the International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition (ICVN), the premiere scientific conference on the health effects of plant-based diets held every 5 years. The conference is designed to provide a review of the accumulated findings, and introduce theoretical concepts, practical applications, and implications of vegetarian dietary practices for both the prevention of disease and the promotion of health, as well as for the furthering of research endeavors. The theme for the 7th ICVN was Plant foods for the health of people, populations and the planet.

Culminating Experience

As a part of the culminating experience, the student must have one publication in peer-reviewed journal (co-authorship or review article acceptable), submit two manuscripts from their dissertation research to peer reviewed journals, successfully defends dissertation, and submits a committee approved dissertation manuscript. Further details provided in the SPH Doctoral Handbook.

Who should consider this program?

Those who may benefit from the program include individuals seeking careers in:

Academia (teaching and research)
Researcher in private industry, governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, research institutes
Public health nutritionist
Leadership role in academia and public health sector

7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition

In February 2018, we hosted the 7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition, on the campus of Loma Linda University. Since 1987, the congress has been held only every 5 years and is the premier scientific conference on the health effects of plant-based diets. It brings together international scientists, physicians, nutritionists, dietitians, and other health professionals to showcase the latest advances from basic science, epidemiology, and clinical trials in vegetarian nutrition. Proceedings for the 7th ICVN are underway.

Visit the 7th ICVN website .

Nutrition Research

You can learn more about our research by visiting, publichealth.llu.edu/research .

Nutrition - LLU School of Public Health

Get started on your application, required courses, corequisites.

Micronutient metabolism course or equivalent
Macronutient metabolism course or equivalent
NUTR 504 Nutritional Metabolism 3
STAT 548 Analytical Applications of SAS and R 2, or STAT 549 Analytical Applications of SPSS
STAT 521 Biostatistics I 3-4 or AHRM 514 Biostatistics

Public health core

EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology 3
PHCJ 606 Public Health Fundamentals 4
PHCJ 608A Doctoral Seminar for Public Health 1
PHCJ 608B Doctoral Seminar for Public Health 1
PHCJ 608C Doctoral Seminar for Public Health 1
PHCJ 614 Pedagogy: The Art and Science of Teaching 2
PHCJ 615 Intermediate Biostatistics 3
PHCJ 618 Transformative Communication 2

Nutrition core

NUTR 617 Preventive Nutrition I: Carbohydrates and Lipids 2
NUTR 618 Preventive Nutrition II: Protein, Vitamins andMinerals 2
NUTR 619 Preventive Nutrition III: Phytochemicals 3
NUTR 620 Advanced Topics in Nutrition 6
NUTR 664 Vegetarian Nutrition: Person, Population, Planet 3
PHCJ 624A Scientist Forum 1
PHCJ 624B Scientist Forum 1
PHCJ 624C Scientist Forum 1
RELE 525 Ethics for Scientists
RELR 5__ Graduate-level Relational (RELR 540
recommended) 3
RELT 5__ Graduate-level Theological 3

Electives 6

Research core.

NUTR 634 Concepts of Nutritional Epidemiology 3
NUTR 639 Research Methods in Nutrition 2
NUTR 685 Preliminary Research Experience 2
NUTR 698 Dissertation 12
STAT 568 Data Analysis 3

Total Units - 73

Prerequisites.

Master's degree in nutrition preferred; or an M.S. or M.P.H. degree with completion of all prerequisite courses; or a health professional degree at the master's level or higher (M.D. or equivalent)
Applicants with a master’s degree in another field may indicate their relevant training, research and/or practice experience, or educational background comparable to the M.P.H. or the M.S. degrees. Dr.P.H. and Ph.D. degree applicants who are admitted without a CEPH-accredited M.P.H. degree will be required to take PHCJ 606 Public Health Fundamentals, EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology, STAT 521 Biostatistics I or AHRM 514 Biostatistics (that covers SPSS and R, SAS), or equivalent courses to fulfill the public health fundamental learning outcomes described in section D.1 of the 2016 CEPH criteria.
Advanced biochemistry (may be taken concurrently with the program)
Anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general chemistry and organic chemistry
G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher preferred

NUTR 504: Nutritional Metabolism

STAT 509: General Statistics

STAT 548 or STAT 549: Analytical Applications of SPSS or Analytical Applications of SAS

NUTR 517: Advanced Nutrition I: CHO, Lipids

NUTR 518: Advanced Nutrition II: Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals

How to Apply

Ready to advance your career in Nutrition? Visit llu.edu/admissions-aid/how-apply to see the steps you need to take to apply. Your journey starts here!

Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Assistance

Information on financial aid can be accessed through student services .
Scholarships: Information on scholarships is available through the Loma Linda University Financial Aid office, and also through the School of Public Health Finance office .

Program Cost

Get details on the standard cost of attendance here .

The GRE is not required for applicants who meet the admissions criteria. If an applicant does not meet the minimum GPA requirements, the GRE is required in order for the application to be considered. For prospective students who wish to strengthen their application, GRE scores can be submitted as an option, but it is not required. GRE scores must have been attained within the last five years.

Meet your program director

Sujatha rajaram, phd.

Program director

Meet the Faculty

Joan Sabate, MD, DrPH

Ella Haddad, DrPH

Celine Heskey, DrPH, MS, RDN

Michael Paalani, DrPH, MS, RDN, CDCES, CHES, EP-C

Gina Siapco, DrPH

Ifeanyi D. Nwachukwu, PhD

Fayth Miles, PhD

Mark J. Messina, PhD

Student Success
Faculty / Staff
How to become an RDN
Prospective Students
DPD Program Philosophy, Mission, Goals and Objectives
DPD Program Description, Admission, Degree Requirements & Schedule
DPD Opportunities for Engagement
DPD Verification Statements
Nutrition and Health Sciences
NFS Info Sheet
Nutrition minor
MS in Nutrition Research
MS-PD Internship
Nutrition PhD student directory
How to apply
Dietetics undergrad program
Philosophy, concentration, goals & non-discrimination
Description, Schedule, Rotations, Program Outcomes, and Completion
Program Costs

Nutrition Doctoral Degree Program

Phd in nutrition.

Nutrition graduate program

Pursue nutrition research focused on improving human health.

Request Info about OSU Grad School

In the Oregon State University’s nutrition doctoral program, you’ll focus on human nutrition for the promotion of optimal health and disease prevention.

You’ll work alongside knowledgeable, welcoming and nationally recognized faculty who are contributing exciting discoveries to the field, while improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities in Oregon and beyond.

The PhD in Nutrition is designed to prepare you for a professional career in nutrition through a combination of coursework and research.

Nutrition research

As a nutrition doctoral student, you will apply the specific skills and knowledge you gain in coursework to projects conducted under the direction of faculty members with whom you share research interests.

Faculty study a broad range of areas, including:

the biology of human and animal milks
neuroendocrine regulation of body weight and bone metabolism
antioxidants and gene expression in cancer prevention
food security
school and community nutrition education programs
nutrition education
the role of diet in metabolic diseases
nutrition epidemiology
sustainable protein sources to combat child malnutrition

Faculty contact information and a detailed description of the nutrition research being conducted at Oregon State may be found on each laboratory’s webpage

Graduate student handbook

Detailed information about degree requirements and coursework

2024-2025 Nutrition graduate student handbook (pdf)

Funmi Amoda

Funmi was initially drawn to nutrition because her dad died of liver cancer 11 years ago.

“I really want to know the etiological roles of diet and lifestyle in the development of cancer."

With her nutrition epidemiology research, she’ll be doing just that.

Learn more about Funmi Amoda’s journey to Oregon State’s nutrition doctoral program.

Tuition and funding

Graduate assistantships are available in teaching and research to highly qualified candidates.

Annual support ranges from $9,595-$22,176 based on assignment (and also includes a waiver of graduate tuition).

More information about how to apply for funding and deadlines:

Fellowships

Careers in nutrition

After completing the Doctor of Philosophy in nutrition, you will be able to synthesize and communicate knowledge in your field of study; identify central issues, problems and research priorities in your field of study; and design, conduct, interpret and communicate original research.

Graduates find employment as researchers and teachers at universities, researchers and leaders in federal and state agencies (NIH, USDA, FDA) or companies in the nutrition and food space.

Alumni highlight

Robert Beverly, PhD

Now working at FDA as a postdoctoral fellow

Faculty advisors

Not sure how to find a PhD advisor or how to start a conversation with a potential advisor?

Here are some tips

Combined Ph.D. and Registered Dietitian (R.D.) Certification

explore graduate studies in nutritional sciences

To meet the growing needs for translational research expertise in both dietetics practice and policy and to enhance the effectiveness and impact of clinical and public health nutrition, we offer a combined ph.d / r.d. program. the program is available to highly qualified applicants from any accredited dpd program who have also earned a masters degree. accepted students begin their doctoral studies in the graduate field of nutrition in the first year, complete the dietetic internship in their second year, and then continue their doctoral studies., hallmarks of the field of nutrition at cornell include:.

an acclaimed faculty with a wide-variety of research interests, which provide an exceptional range of opportunities for multidisciplinary research and
the preeminence of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell globally for nutrition education, research and service.

Doctoral students can plan their graduate programs to fit their career goals in one of four specializations: molecular nutrition, human nutrition, community nutrition or international nutrition. Combined Ph.D / R.D. students also complete courses in Nutrition in Action: Theory to Practice, Epidemiology, and Translational Research and Evidence-based Practice and Policy and a translational 'field' experience. Funding support is available from a graduate training program.

Graduates of the combined Ph.D / R.D. program are well-prepared to meet the pressing needs in academic, medicine and policy sectors for translational nutrition researchers. They also are well-positioned because of the limited number of R.D.s in the U.S. who also hold a Ph.D. (4%), few of whom have direct translation and evidence-based policy experience.

Combined Ph.D. - R.D. Applications - December 1

This is a program only open to applicants with a graduate degree who have completed or are completing an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or ACEND accredited Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program. Accepted students begin doctoral studies in year 1 and the Dietetic Internship (DI) in year 2. Following the DI, students are eligible to sit for the CDR examination for RDs. Students continue with doctoral studies following the DI.

Applications must be submitted by December 1 to both the Graduate Field of Nutrition at the Graduate School , (see Admissions) and to the Dietetic Internship (DI) online through DICAS .

Dietetic internship application requirements are the same as for applicants to only the DI. Please see https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/academics/graduate/di for details.
Additional coursework is helpful for molecular nutrition (molecular/cell biology, genetics, etc.) and community nutrition (statistics, social sciences, etc.); significant experience in a developing country is required for international nutrition.
Prior research experience is advantageous for all specializations.
Admission by both the Internship and Graduate Field of Nutrition Admissions committees and funding (providing a stipend and tuition waiver) are decided by early March.
Applicants not selected for the Ph.D./R.D. option may be considered for dietetic internship-only option.

Learn more by visiting our Dietetic Internship page or by contacting the program at [email protected].

Discover Dietetics

undentifiable person serving healthy food

Have questions? Contact us at [email protected]

Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition

Request More Information

On this page, accreditation, future education model track, post-rdn track, requirements & curriculum, egan admission, stag spotlight, latest doctorate in clinical nutrition news, more about doctorate in clinical nutrition, frequently asked questions, program overview.

The Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition Program at Fairfield University offers a doctoral degree in clinical nutrition for those looking to pursue a career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and for those who are currently registered dietitian nutritionists looking to advance their knowledge. The program offers an on campus interprofessional educational environment for both full-time and part-time students with an emphasis on leadership, evidence-based practice and research.

Why Pursue a Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition?

Only 4% of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists have a Doctoral Degree
Increased credibility and recognition
Career advancement
Best preparation for new careers in management, research and higher education

The DCN is open to:

Students with a Bachelor's degree in any area who have fulfilled the required pre-requisites
Students who have graduated from an ACEND accredited Didactic Program in dietetics who have not yet completed an internship
Registered Dietitians with or without a Master's degree

Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition Program at Fairfield University

Janet Stuhrcke (Hiser)

DCN, RDN, FAND

Director of Clinical Nutrition

Suzanne Strazza

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) granted the Future Education Model Track in the DCN program candidacy for accreditation in May 2020 under the newly released Future Education Model Standards for programs in nutrition and dietetics. These accreditation standards integrate didactic coursework with supervised experiential learning in a competency-based curriculum designed to prepare nutrition and dietetics practitioners for future practice.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)

Fairfield University demonstrates its leadership in education by being among the first Doctoral programs to be granted candidacy for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) under the new Future Education Model standards. This is an on-campus, three-year full-time or four-year part-time program.

Following the completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Pathway to Become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

The DCN program at Fairfield University is under the Future Education Model standards. The curriculum includes all necessary courses and experiential supervised practice required for graduates to obtain a verification statement that allows them to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitian Nutritionist. Beginning January 1, 2024, a graduate degree will be required to sit for this exam.

RDNs are not required to be licensed in Connecticut; however, some states do require licensure/certification.

Mission, Goals and Objectives

The mission of the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program is to prepare graduates to become Registered Dietitian Nutritionists who are leaders in the profession. Graduates will expand the knowledge of clinical nutrition to improve health outcomes with particular attention to the needs of underserved or vulnerable populations.

Graduates are competent registered dietitian nutritionists, who are prepared for leadership roles in healthcare settings.

At least 80% of program students complete program requirements within 4.5 years (150% of the program length).
Of graduates who seek employment, at least 90 % percent are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
At least 100 % percent of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion.
The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%.
80% of returned employer surveys rank graduates working in the field of dietetics as “adequately prepared.
50% of graduates are employed in and/or hold a volunteer position in a leadership position one year after graduation.

Goal #2

Graduates improve the health outcomes of the community especially in underserved populations

50% of graduates agree they are serving an underserved, or vulnerable population.
80% of graduates agree that their position contributes positively to the health outcomes of the community for which they serve.

Outcome data available upon request.

Supervised Experiential Learning

Students in the DCN program will participate in a variety of supervised experiential learning experiences that focus on community nutrition, food service management, and clinical nutrition. Travel to some sites may require a travel time of up to 1 to 1.5 hours from the students living location. A car is required to travel to the supervised experiential learning sites.

Possible supervised experiential learning placements include:

Hartford Healthcare System
The Paramount at Somers
Nutrigreene
Watertown Public Schools
Fairfield University Aramark
Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport
Kids in Crisis
SNAP Ed Program
Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Graduation Requirements

The following requirements must be met before the student is eligible to receive his/her degree from Fairfield University:

Verification of successful completion of all practicum and academic course requirements
Demonstrated competence in all ACEND required competencies and performance indicators
Resolution of all financial responsibilities
Return of all loaned items including library books, ID badge, etc.

Students must complete all course requirements in 150% of program length. This equates to 4.5 years for the full-time track and 6 years for the part time track.

Program Costs

Housing	$8,000
Textbooks and Supplies	$800
Parking for Practicum sites	$300
Background Check	$75
Drug Testing	$70
Health Requirements for Practicum Sites	$200
Lab Coat	$35
Hospital ID Badge	$25
Non-slip Shoes	$25
Student Membership to the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetic	$58

The Office of Financial Aid is committed to helping students find the options that best suit each of their needs.

DCN Program Handbook (PDF)

Program specific policies and procedures can be found in the DCN Program Handbook.

The Post-RDN track is an advanced practice doctoral degree for registered dietitian nutritionists, with an emphasis on leadership, evidence-based practice, and research. Deadline to apply is August 1.

The Post-RDN DCN program is a 50 credit on-campus program that is designed for registered dietitian nutritionists who are looking to advance their clinical knowledge and leadership skills while working in an interprofessional setting.

The mission of the Post-RDN Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) program is to provide graduates with the advanced skills in clinical nutrition and leadership to prepare them for advanced careers within the healthcare field.

The following requirements must be met before the student is eligible to receive his/her doctoral degree from Fairfield University:

Successful completion of all academic courses, advanced practice residency and research project.

Tuition

$1,170/credit hour

Fairfield University understands the value of interprofessional learning. The DCN curriculum will include nutrition and dietetics content as well as advanced leadership and research courses taught in conjunction with Doctoral Nursing Practice (DNP) students. Collaborative learning will also include simulation to prepare students for interprofessional practice in practicum courses. The Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) is a 70 credit on-campus, three-year full-time or four-year part-time program, whereas the Post-RDN is a 50 credit on-campus program.

Students entering the program from an ACEND accredited DPD program and those with the RDN credential, experience, and courses will be assessed for credit for prior learning.

All Egan graduate students are expected to comply with all requirements of their clinical/experiential learning agencies. Noncompliance with agency requirements (e.g. vaccination mandates) may result in the student being unable to complete the program requirements for graduation.

The DCN program follows the Fairfield University academic calendar .

A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and more can be viewed in the University’s course catalog .

For the Future Education Model DCN Track , applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in any area from an accredited four-year college or university and have fulfilled the required pre-requisites, or have graduated from an ACEND accredited didactic program in dietetics who have not yet completed an internship.

For the Post RDN Track , applicants must be a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. A master’s degree is not required.

The application for both tracks is open November 1 - August 1. Applications submitted after will be considered if there are openings available.

Graduate assistantships are not currently available.

Kelsey Reader

Kelsey Reader DCN'23 Current Job Title: Registered Dietitian

What was your undergraduate degree and major (e.g. BA, English)? BS, Health Sciences

What were your reasons for choosing Fairfield University for your advanced degree? Fairfield University's DCN program is the first program where a student without a DPD verification statement can take the necessary courses and internship requirements to obtain the verification statement, while also obtaining a doctoral degree.

What did you like about your Fairfield education? The small class sizes allowed for an individualized educational experience. This allowed me to became close with both my professors and classmates, which stimulated my educational growth.

Please explain what you would tell someone considering an advanced degree at Fairfield. As a health sciences major, I had minimal nutrition education in my undergraduate studies. Upon graduating from Fairfield University’s DCN program, I not only felt well equipped, but confident going into the profession of nutrition and dietetics.

Please describe how your advanced degree at Fairfield has affected your life. My degree from Fairfield University has allowed me to not only become a registered dietitian, but has equipped me with the tools to become a leader in this career path.

Please describe any interesting project or research you worked on while at Fairfield. The state-of-the-art technology and resources available at Fairfield University helped enhance my education. Being able to use the realistic simulation lab prepared me for my clinical rotations.

Cara Treble

Class of '23

Cara Treble '23 Current Employer: Massachusetts General Hospital Current Job Title: Clinical Dietitian

What were your reasons for choosing Fairfield University for your advanced degree? I chose to pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition at Fairfield University because I knew that this program would provide me with the opportunity to advance my knowledge and skills in order to excel in my career. During this program, I grew academically and professionally, engaged in clinical practice, conducted research, and collaborated inter-professionally. The experiences I had at Fairfield University allowed me to gain valuable insights into effective approaches to address the unique nutritional needs of diverse populations. I feel confident that graduating from this program will allow meet my mission to positively impact my patients by providing the best quality care.

What did you like about your Fairfield education? The professors were always so knowledgeable and provided me with valuable insight.

Please explain what you would tell someone considering an advanced degree at Fairfield. I would recommend this program for anyone willing to challenge themselves and wanting to gain valuable insights about clinical nutrition in order to reach their full potential as a nutrition professional.

Please describe how your advanced degree at Fairfield has affected your life. Pursing an advanced degree at Fairfield has provided me with invaluable knowledge and experience that I now apply in my day-to-day practice.

Please describe any interesting project or research you worked on while at Fairfield. The DCN project allowed me to develop self-efficacy skills in the research process. I am looking forward to participating in research opportunities in my professional life using the knowledge and skills I have learned during my time in the DCN program.

Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition Program Partners with Bridgeport Rescue Mission

Students from the doctorate in clinical nutrition program partnered with Bridgeport Rescue Mission to assist with a variety of valuable projects and interventions.

Career & Professional Opportunities

Employment opportunities for registered dietitian nutritionists are on the rise in the state of Connecticut and nationally. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dietitian nutritionists is projected to grow 11% from 2018-2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Registered dietitian nutritionists may be employed in a wide variety of settings, including:

Private Practice
Outpatient Care Centers
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Food Service
Healthcare Organizations
Corporate Nutrition Programs
Food and Nutrition Industry
Sports Nutrition
Community and Public Health Facilities
Universities
Medical Centers

Learn more about how the University's Career Center can support your post-graduate goals, and how Fairfield's tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Four Students sitting together talking to each other in common srrea

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

Egan Newsletter

Learn more about what our faculty, students, and alumni are doing, as well as stay up-to-date on our rankings and accolades, programs, and more.

Egan Update

We invite you to view the Egan Update, a year in review of Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies news.

Future Education Model DCN FAQs

No, the majority of the classes are taken on campus once a week and are offered typically Monday-Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m. The supervised experiential learning rotations may be offered during the day at the discretion of the preceptors.

Yes. Once the program is completed and all competencies have been passed, you will be eligible to sit for RD exam through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) . Verification statements and test eligibility will be issued after the degree is conferred by Fairfield University.

The Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) started Future Education Model Programs as a first step towards changing the educational pathways within the field of nutrition and dietetics. We volunteered to be one of the first programs and try out this new educational pathway. That is why it is called a Future Education Model. The wave of the future in nutrition and dietetics education is to include all training at the graduate level for eligibility to sit for the RD exam. Therefore, our program includes the didactic coursework in dietetics, the supervised experiential learning (similar to the dietetic internship) and the graduate degree requirements.

No, applicants are only required to have a bachelor’s degree; it does not have to be in nutrition or dietetics. There is, however, a list of pre-requisite courses which must be successfully completed before starting the DCN program.

If the course was a college-level course taken at an accredited university and the title of the course is similar to the titles of our pre-requisite course requirements, then it is likely the course will “count” as a pre-requisite. You must have received a grade of “C” or better in each course. If you have any concerns or questions about a specific course, contact the program director Janet Hiser at [email protected] and include the course number, institution, and course description in your email.

We accept 15 students into our DCN program each year.

Yes, we will interview our top candidates in a short video conference.

All students are required to have access to a personal computer with internet access. Every currently enrolled student has been provided with an email account at no cost to the student. Email is the official method of communication for University correspondence.

These University-provided email addresses are the only officially recognized email addresses for all currently enrolled students.

Post-RDN DCN FAQs

No, the majority of the classes are taken on campus once a week and are offered typically Monday-Thursday from 5-7:30 p.m. The Advanced Practice Residency may be offered during the day at the discretion of the mentors.

Yes, considerations will be made on an individual basis. Courses must have been completed at an accredited institution and applicants must have received a grade of “B” or better in order to receive transfer credit.

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Nutritional Sciences: Doctoral Degree (PhD)

Faculty resources, expertise, and program coursework support three focus areas within the nutritional sciences doctoral program:

Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition
Nutritional Epidemiology
Nutritional Interventions

Applicants should have a strong interest in science and health, an undergraduate degree in some field of basic or applied science, and, at a minimum, should have taken courses in biology, physiology, general and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and calculus.

Prerequisites for PhD program

Calculus* or Statistics* 1 semester
Inorganic/general chemistry* 1 semester, lab not required
Organic chemistry 1 semester, lab not required
Biochemistry 1 semester
Human Physiology (1 semester) or Anatomy and Physiology (1 semester of each but must be human)

*AP high school courses are accepted based on AP final exam score

PhD Required Coursework

Methodological Core Requirements
Course Number	Credits	Course Name
^	4	Applied Biostatistics
^^	3	Biostatistical Analysis for Health-Related Studies
	4	Principles and Methods of Epidemiology

Nutritional Sciences Course Requirements
Credits	Course Name
3	Principles of Nutritional Science	F
3	Metabolism of Vitamins and Minerals	W
3	Pathophysiology of Obesity	W
3	Nutritional Assessment	F
1	Topics in Nutritional Sciences (year-long course)*	F/W
2	Research Methods in Nutritional Sciences	W
1	Doctoral Seminar in Nutritional Sciences **	F/W
≤6	Advanced Research (2 rotations required) ***	F/W
8	Research (once achieved candidacy)	F/W

Doctoral students must complete the online Foundations of Public Health modules that will be available in Winter 2019.

^Students can take BIOSTAT 601 as alternative

^^Students can take BIOSTAT 650 as alternative

*NUTR 688 is a departmental seminar that spans the first two terms. It is expected that students will attend seminars throughout their doctoral program but do not have to officially register.

**NUTR 869 is a doctoral seminar that students register for until they have passed their Preliminary Exam. Prior to the Preliminary Exam, they will present a formal seminar in this class. It is expected that students will attend seminars throughout their doctoral program but do not have to officially register.

***NUTR 899 – students complete two separate rotations with different faculty for a minimum of 1 credit each rotation.

PhD Sample Schedules

PhD Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition Sample Schedule
PhD Nutritional Epidemiology Sample Schedule

PhD SubPlan Options



Required courses (pick one of these)
	2	Nutritional Epidemiology	W
	3	Controversial Topics in the Role of Nutrition on Chronic Disease	W
Select from the following (minimum of 3 courses, as advised by your faculty mentor):
BIOLCHEM 550	3	Macromolecular Structure and Function	F
BIOLCHEM 551	3	Proteome Informatics	F
CDB 530	3	Cell Biology	F
HG 541	3	Molecular Genetics	F
MICRO 440	3	Immunology	W
PHYSIOL 510	3	Systems and Integrative Physiology	F
PHYSIOL 541	3	Reproductive Physiology	W
PHYSIOL 555	3	Integrative Genomics	W
	3	Microbiology in Environmental Health	W
	3	Essentials of Toxicology	F
	3	Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology	W
	3	Nutrition, Environment and the Immune Response	F
	2	Environmental Epigenetics and Public Health	W
	3	Nutrigenomics	F
	3	Nutrition, the Environment and Cancer	W
	2	Advanced Topics in Macronutrient Metabolism	F
KINES 545	3	Metabolic Response to Exercise	F/W
KINES 540	3	Advanced Exercise Physiology	F

Required courses
	2	Nutritional Epidemiology	W
	3	Statistical Methods for Epidemiology	F
	4	Principles and Methods of Epidemiology	F
Recommended course
	3	SAS for Epidemiological Research	F
Select from the following (minimum of 1 course, as advised by your faculty mentor):
	3	Analyzing Longitudinal and Clustered Data using Statistical Software	W
	4	Applied Epidemiological Data Analysis	W
	3	Controversial Topics in the Role of Nutrition on Chronic Disease	W
	3	Evaluation of Global Health Programs	W
	3	Data Analysis for Environmental Epidemiology	W
	3	Field Studies in Epidemiology
	3	Topics in Epidemiologic Analysis (offered every other year)	W

Required courses
	2	Nutritional Epidemiology	W
	3	Socio-Ecol Approaches to Child/Adol Nutr	W
Select from the following (minimum of 3 courses, as advised by your faculty mentor)
	2	Eating Disorder Prevention and Treatment	F
	3	Evaluation of Global Health Programs	W
	2	Nutritional Counseling	W
	3	Physical Activity and Nutrition	W
	3	Analyzing Longitudinal and Clustered Data Using Statistical Software	W
	3	Introduction to Health Behavior Theory and Approaches	F
	3	Techniques of Survey Research	F
	3	Psychosocial Factors in Health Related Behavior	F
	3	Behavior Research Models in Public Health	F
	3	Seminar in Behavior Research Model in Public Health	W
	3	Qualitiative Methods in Public Health	W
	3	Materials and Methods in Health Education Programs	W
	3	Motivational Interviewing in Public Health	W
	3	Community Based Participatory Research	W
	3	Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Health	F
	3	Introduction to Public Health Policy	F
	3	Program Evaluation in Public Health	W
SurvMeth 600	3	Fundamentals of Survey Methods (ISR course)	F
	3	Evaluating Behavioral Interventions in Randomized Controlled Trials	F

Current PhD Student Profiles

NOTE: We highly encourage students to review faculty research areas and identify potential mentors.

How Do I Apply?

PhD applicants apply to our program through the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School .

Additional information for international applicants can be found here .

Funding for Doctoral Students

All students admitted to one of our doctoral programs are considered for financial support. There are four types of financial support that we offer our students: Graduate Student Instructor (GSI), Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA), Training Grants and Fellowships.

Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

Graduate Student Instructors are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately 20 hours per week. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees, and a monthly stipend. The duties of a GSI can include preparing materials for labs, teaching labs, holding office hours, grading homework and exams, and tutoring.

Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA)

Graduate Student Research Assistants are appointed at 50% effort, which involves working approximately 20 hours per week on a research project. This appointment includes full payment of tuition, health insurance coverage, registration fees, and a monthly stipend. GSRAs generally work closely with a faculty member who is a principal or co-investigator on the research project. The duties of the GSRA can involve analysis of biomedical research data or statistical research. Currently, GSRAs are working on projects involving statistical methods development and application to bioinformatics, cancer, clinical trials, dentistry, diabetes, environmental health, epidemiology, genetics, health education, kidney disease, and survival analysis.

Training Grants

Some students are supported through involvement in training grants which provide support similar to the GSRA or GSI appointments. Check with your department for specific training grants available.

Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

Awards for tuition assistance are available and are granted without a work obligation. These awards are generally made on the basis of academic merit, expected contribution to the field, and to students with underrepresented backgrounds. Some examples of awards our students have received include:

Harold and Vivian Shapiro/John Malik/Jean Forrest Awards
Rackham Merit Fellowship Program
Rackham Non-Traditional Fellowship

Other award/scholarship opportunities exist for continuing students. They include:

Rackham One-Term Dissertation Fellowship
Barbour Scholarship
Pre-Doctoral Fellowship
Susan Lipschutz, Margaret Ayers Host, and Anna Olcott Smith Awards for Rackham Graduate Students
Rackham Conference Travel Grant

Financial Aid for Doctoral Students

Many of our students are offered funding as GSIs, GSRAs or graduate fellows. If you do not receive such an offer, you may apply for financial aid through the University of Michigan’s Office of Financial Aid . This office requires applicants for any and all types of financial aid to complete the Free Application for Federal Student AID (FAFSA) provided by the American College Testing Center (ACTC) .

A FAFSA will be sent to you directly if you indicate your interest in financial assistance on the admission application form. FAFSAs are available from most high school or college libraries and financial aid officers, as well as from the School of Public Health Office of Student Affairs.

More Information

For answers to any questions that you might have, please visit other pages on this website and/or contact:

Carole Durgy, Graduate Program Coordinator: [email protected]

Ready to Apply?

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Graduate Programs Overview

Develop valuable professional and research skills in nutrition and dietetics by pursuing a graduate education with the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness (SNSW) at the University of Arizona. We offer a variety of graduate options, including on-campus, distance, and online, to help you reach your goals in a way that makes sense for your life.

How to apply

A completed application includes any required self-reported grades, transcripts, application fee and proof of English proficiency, if required. Visit the University of Arizona Graduate College for a complete list of admissions requirements .

Graduate degrees from the School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness

A person adding salt to a blue pot in their kitchen.

Ph.D. & M.S. in Nutritional Sciences

Advance your research skills and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries in nutritional sciences.

A person cooking a meal in a kitchen while two people sit at the island.

PSM Applied Nutrition: Nutrition & Wellness Emphasis

Combine science and business acumen to excel in the applied nutrition industry.

A person writing down nutritional facts in their kitchen.

PSM Applied Nutrition: Dietetics Emphasis

Jump-start your career in dietetics with our ACEND-accredited program.

Two people looking at a binder of nutritional facts.

Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway (ISPP)

Gain the supervised practice experience required to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).

A person cutting fruit in their kitchen.

Graduate Certificate in Applied Nutrition

Enhance your credentials and specialize in applied nutrition to boost your career prospects.

A bucket of vegetables in a food prep kitchen.

Ph.D. Minor Nutritional Sciences

Compliment your Ph.D. from outside the School of Nutritional Sciences & Wellness with our graduate minor.

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Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate

Enhance the overall health and well-being of individuals, groups, and communities

The Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate offers focused training to apply evidence-based nutritional practices to prevent chronic disease and facilitate nutrition-related behavior change to promote health and wellness. The online certificate is for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Ohio State graduate students enrolled in nutrition and dietetics degree programs.

"There have been days at work when I think to myself, ‘I just learned about that last night’. It’s really exciting when you can actually see that come to be a part of your work day."

"Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program."

"I could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. Even when times were tough, they believed in me, so I believed in me."

Frequently asked questions, is the program 100% online are any campus visits required.

This program can be completed 100% online with no campus visits required.

How flexible are online classes? What is my expected time commitment?

Online programs are Ohio State are designed for working professionals. The amount of credits you schedule will help determine how long it will take to complete your program. Your expected time commitment will vary based on your course load, but for every credit hour you are enrolled in, expect to complete three hours of work outside of class for studying or projects.

What does an online classroom look like?

Online courses at Ohio State are different from on-campus courses. We have designed online courses to take advantage of the benefits of the virtual experience, including connecting to outside people and ideas, presenting information, and engaging in discussions with your classmates and faculty.

Top 4 Things to Ask When Considering an Online Program

Learn the top 4 things to consider when weighing your options for pursuing an online degree from an Ohio State academic advisor.

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Are Online Degrees Respected?

Learn how a degree from one of the best colleges online can help you stand out to employers and get a job.

How Much Does Online College Cost?

Calculate the cost of an online degree, and discover the best online degree for you and your budget.

Academic Calendar

Multiple start dates are offered during the academic calendar year for working professionals and current graduate students to start this non-degree online program, so you can decide when to take the next step toward earning your Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate.

Spring 2025

Application Deadline October 1, 2024

Term Start Date January 6, 2025

Summer 2025

Application Deadline February 1, 2025

Term Start Date July 6, 2025

Autumn 2025

Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Term Start Date August 26, 2025

Admission Criteria

To enroll in the online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate program, you must meet one of the following requirements:

Concurrent enrollment in an Ohio State Human Nutrition or Medical Dietetics graduate degree program
Or have a baccalaureate degree plus the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential

All applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in prior undergraduate (and graduate) coursework.

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, also known as SARA , establishes uniform standards for distance education for all participating states and institutions. Ohio State joined SARA in 2015, which means Ohio State can offer most online and on-ground courses and programs in SARA member states, districts and territories without seeking authorization in each state.

Career Outlook

The online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is ideal for Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, graduate students enrolled in nutrition and dietetics programs, and working professionals.

Whether you’re looking to grow in your current career or make a career change altogether, Ohio State’s online programs can help you achieve your goals. Learn what the outlook is for your current or next career move using O*Net’s My Next Move tool.

The online curriculum for the Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate focuses on holistic change. At 12 credit hours, the certificate consists of two core courses — a required core course and a choice of a second core course — and at least two elective courses. You have the flexibility to take courses in any order.

MDN 6950 – Evidence-Based Analysis in Nutrition and Dietetics

Required core course. An evidence-based review as it applies to nutrition and dietetics, with a critical assessment of the literature based on current topics in nutrition and health, including formulating relevant clinical questions, finding and evaluating evidence, and translating research into practice.

MDN 6500 – Advanced Community Nutrition, Health Promotion & Public Policy

Choice of second core course. Advanced study of community needs assessment, national nutrition policy, design and evaluation of programs and cultural factors to promote the health and nutritional status of the community.

MDN 6735 – Non-Diet Approaches to Health

Choice of second core course. Study of non-diet 3 approaches to weight management and health promotion in diverse populations.

HTHRHSC 5895 – Food Insecurity, and Food Assistance Programming and Policy in the U.S.

Elective course. Explores the complex set of factors that influence food insecurity in the U.S.; current approaches to addressing food insecurity in the U.S. at the local, state, and federal levels; the historical, social, political, and economic roots of current programming efforts; the strengths, limitations, and controversies related to such programming; and the potential for social welfare policy.

HTHRHSC 5000 – Interdisciplinary Case Management for Working with Underserved Populations

Elective course. Students will collaborate with other health care professions using a problem-based learning approach to patient care in community health, focusing on populations living in poverty with complex healthcare needs.

HN 6010 – Motivational Interviewing for Behavior Change

Elective course. Students will gain knowledge and skills in promoting nutrition-related behavioral change. The spirit behind motivational interviewing and strategies for promoting change will be presented.

MDN 6705 – Advanced Nutrition for Performance

Elective course. Integrating/applying principles of human nutrition, exercise physiology and biochemistry. Content covers use of nutrients as fuel during exercise, influence of exercise on nutrient requirements and of nutrients on exercise performance, assessment of energy expenditure/nutritional status, ergogenic aids, needs of special populations, eating disorders in athletes, and interaction of diet/exercise in health promotion.

HN 7804 – Advanced Nutrition in a Global Community

Elective course. Discussion of the major or emerging issues of community and international nutrition in low and middle-income countries/societies.

HN 7806 – Behavioral Nutrition: Why People Change

Elective course. Evidence-based principles for facilitating nutrition-related behavioral change, including mechanisms of change, will be examined. Health behavior theory will be used to guide the development and evaluation of behavior change programs for the target audience.

MDN 6715 – Dietary Supplements

Elective course. The study of current research on efficacy and safety of herbal and dietary supplements for performance enhancement, disease prevention and treatment.

Understanding Online Course Types

As you research the right online program for you, you likely will come across the terms “asynchronous” and “synchronous.” Learn what these terms mean and how they’re important to consider when understanding how a program will fit into your life.

Diagram explaining the differences between synchronous and asynchronous online courses.

Program Faculty

The Ohio State University’s online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate is led by nutrition experts from Medical Dietetics in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and Human Nutrition in the College of Education and Human Ecology.

Julie Kennel

Chris Taylor

Testimonials

Find out how online learning has helped Ohio State students succeed.

“Being able to apply everything I was working on for school immediately to my work was my favorite part of the program.”

“Ohio State is a large institution with a lot of possibilities and opportunities. You will meet people who you can connect with and who will connect you with others.”

“i could not have faced so many obstacles without the support, strength and guidance from the faculty and staff. even when times were tough, they believed in me, so i believed in me.”, get started.

Speak with a knowledgeable Enrollment Advisor who can help answer your questions and explain different aspects of the more than 70 online degrees and certificates offered at Ohio State.

IMAGES

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PhD and Masters Degrees in Nutrition & Food Science 2021+
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COMMENTS

UNF: Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition
The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics offers an online Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN). The DCN program is an advanced practice doctoral program with an emphasis on leadership, advanced evidence-based practice, and research. In contrast to a PhD in Nutrition, which is generally focused on bench research, this degree focuses on practice ...
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Online Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
Learn how to apply evidence-based integrative and functional nutrition science to your practice and research. Saybrook University offers a fully online Ph.D. program that prepares you for various career paths and credentialing options in the field of nutrition.
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The 5 Best PhD in Clinical Nutrition (D.C.N.) Degree Programs
DOCTORAL IN CLINICAL NUTRITION. School Highlights: The University of Kansas provides a doctoral curriculum in Clinical Nutrition that is designed for currently working professionals and registered dietitians. The entire program is offered 100% online, with only one required visit to campus for orientation.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Nutrition
About the PhD in Human Nutrition Program. The doctoral program in Human Nutrition is designed to train professionals to identify, understand and solve, through scientific methods, problems of public health importance in human nutrition. Graduates are expected to assume leadership roles in academia, government, industry and other private sector ...
UNF: Clinical Nutrition (DCN)
The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics offers an online Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN). The DCN program is an advanced practice doctoral program with emphasis on leadership, advanced evidence based practice and research. In contrast to a PhD in Nutrition, which is generally focused on bench research, this degree focuses on practice and ...
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Yes, there are online PhD in Nutrition programs. However, most PhD in Nutrition programs require students to be in person to complete core coursework, work in laboratories with their faculty advisors, and fulfill in-person teaching and research requirements during their studies. In some cases, in-person programs may be able to be continued ...
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition Online
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Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
The Doctor of Clinical Nutrition program is a professionally-oriented, clinical doctoral program designed to educate students in all aspects of functional nutrition. Functional nutrition uses a holistic, flexible, and personalized approach to address each individual's unique health goals and needs. Functional nutritionists consider the root ...
Ph.D. in Nutrition
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Online Graduate Programs and Courses in Nutrition
Tufts University is pleased to offer 7 online graduate programs and more than 30 online courses in nutrition - from nutrition science and biochemistry to global policy, program development, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable food systems. ... Nutrition programs of study draw upon the wealth of resources at the university. Tufts ...
PhD in Nutritional Sciences
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PhD in Nutrition
6700 Fannin St. Houston, TX 77030. 713-794-2371 (phone) [email protected]. Undergraduate Advising. [email protected]. 940-898-2636. Prepare for a career in academia or research with a PhD in Nutrition at Texas Woman's.. Texas Woman's University (TWU) is the nation's largest university.
The Most Affordable Online Clinical Nutrition Doctorate Degree Programs
Affordable online clinical nutrition doctorate degree programs could have a total tuition cost of $40,000. At some out-of-state institutions, online students are entitled to in-state tuition rates. Non-Academic Costs. It's vital to remember that PhD students who are enrolled online may pay non-academic costs that campus students do not pay.
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PhD, Nutrition and Dietetics
The doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics offers an interdisciplinary course of study that prepares you for advanced teaching, research, administrative, and leadership positions in academic, public health, government, or other industry institutions. Departmental participation including Fall and Spring doctoral seminar.
Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences
The doctoral degree program is designed to prepare students for research, teaching and administrative positions in colleges, universities, government and industry. ... Advances in Nutritional Sciences II), and 394 (Topic 1: General Nutrition); Six hours of graduate coursework outside nutrition in fields germane to the dissertation research ...
Nutrition, PhD
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in nutrition prepares you for a career in academia, governmental agencies, research institutes, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. The program is designed to provide an advanced curriculum in nutrition, professional skills, and competencies required to support careers in teaching and research.
Nutrition Doctoral Degree Program
The PhD in Nutrition is designed to prepare you for a professional career in nutrition through a combination of coursework and research. Nutrition research As a nutrition doctoral student, you will apply the specific skills and knowledge you gain in coursework to projects conducted under the direction of faculty members with whom you share ...
Combined Ph.D.
Graduates of the combined Ph.D / R.D. program are well-prepared to meet the pressing needs in academic, medicine and policy sectors for translational nutrition researchers. They also are well-positioned because of the limited number of R.D.s in the U.S. who also hold a Ph.D. (4%), few of whom have direct translation and evidence-based policy ...
Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition
The Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) is a 70 credit on-campus, three-year full-time or four-year part-time program, whereas the Post-RDN is a 50 credit on-campus program. Students entering the program from an ACEND accredited DPD program and those with the RDN credential, experience, and courses will be assessed for credit for prior ...
U-M School of Public Health Doctoral Program in Nutritional Sciences
Faculty resources, expertise, and program coursework support three focus areas within the nutritional sciences doctoral program: Molecular and Biochemical Nutrition. Nutritional Epidemiology. Nutritional Interventions. Applicants should have a strong interest in science and health, an undergraduate degree in some field of basic or applied ...
Graduate Programs Overview
Graduate Programs Overview. Develop valuable professional and research skills in nutrition and dietetics by pursuing a graduate education with the School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness (SNSW) at the University of Arizona. We offer a variety of graduate options, including on-campus, distance, and online, to help you reach your goals in a ...
Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate
To enroll in the online Nutrition and Health Promotion Graduate Certificate program, you must meet one of the following requirements: Concurrent enrollment in an Ohio State Human Nutrition or Medical Dietetics graduate degree program; Or have a baccalaureate degree plus the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential