Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Health - Nutrition Option

The doctoral program prepares individuals for teaching and research in academic institutions and for positions of professional leadership in health and health-related agencies where research is an important function. Doctoral applicants should have earned the Bachelor's degree and have demonstrated basic research competency through a required thesis (M.S. thesis or equivalent research experience). It is expected that an applicant has satisfied the criteria for admission to the M.S. degree. Otherwise, any deficiency must be completed before a student is allowed to take the comprehensive examination for the Ph.D. degree.

Program's Minimum Requirements

A total of 57 credits including the following:

1. 18 credits (minimum) of Ph.D. Dissertation (NUTRITN 899).
2. 3 credits of graduate Seminar. The student will present three seminars, all three may be in Nutrition or two in Nutrition and one in the Minor area.
3. 24 credits in major concentration of Nutrition.
4. 12 credits in minor concentration within SPHHS or another appropriate Ph.D.-granting program.
5. Passing a two-part Comprehensive Examination.
6. Completion and defense of a research dissertation.

Note:  Beginning fall 2016:

• Introductory Biostatistics (BIOSTATS 540) may be part of the 24 credits in major concentration of Nutrition - or - may be part of the 12 credits in minor concentration for BIOSTATS.
• Principles of Epidemiology (EPI 630) may be part of the 24 credits in major concentration of Nutrition - or - may be part of the 12 credits in minor concentration for EPI.

Comprehensive Examination

Upon completion of the 39 credits of course work, the student must pass a comprehensive examination (see below) as specified in the Graduate School Regulations. Only students who have passed the comprehensive examination are considered candidates for the Ph.D. degree. The examination consists of two parts:

Written Examination

Each Ph.D. student is required to take the examination in Nutrition (major area). This exam focuses on 3 competency-based areas:

1. General Nutrition
2. Nutritional Biochemistry
3. Research Methods/Study Design/Analysis

Oral Examination

The oral examination will be held within 1-month after passing the written portion. It is a continuation of the written examination with added emphasis on the student's area of research interests and the minor area declared by the student. Additional guidelines are available from the Graduate Program Director.

Comprehensive exams (written and oral) will be scheduled in the fall and the spring. No summer comprehensive exams will be scheduled unless there is a specific exception or consideration.

A student may be allowed a second chance to pass any portion of the comprehensive exam. Two failures of any portion are grounds for dismissal from the program.

Dissertation Proposal and Oral Defense

Upon successful completion of the comprehensive examinations, students prepare a dissertation proposal that must be approved by the student's dissertation committee before being submitted to the Graduate School. A copy of the dissertation must be in the Department Main Office for review by the faculty 10 business days before the scheduled oral defense.

The Ph.D. program can be completed in 3 years for students who have completed a master's degree in nutrition or closely related field. The actual length of time depends on background and the student's ability to complete the Dissertation Proposal and subsequent dissertation research.