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PhD Students

Curriculum

PhD, Food Studies

Curriculum Overview

This curriculum is an example. All course requirements are determined in consultation with the student's advisor.

Foundation Courses (12 Credits*)

Select four courses from the following list or other courses by advisement.

  • FOOD-GE 2017 Contemporary Issues in Food Studies 
  • FOOD-GE 2033 Food Systems 
  • FOOD-GE 2191 Food and Culture 
  • NUTR-GE 2215 Nutrition in Food Studies
  • FOOD-GE 2015 Food Policy and politics

*Students who have already earned a master’s degree in Food Studies or the equivalent are not required to take the foundation courses.

Research Methodology Courses (12 Credits) – By Advisement

All students are required to take methodological courses in disciplines relevant to their research and dissertation projects.

  • Research Methods courses offered by Department or School
  • Research Methods courses offered by other schools at NYU or as part of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium
  • Prerequisite courses to research methods courses
  • Fieldwork seminars
  • Foreign language courses
  • Other research skills courses

Proposal Seminar (3 Credits)

  • RESCH-GE 3001 Dissertation Proposal Seminar

Department Doctoral Seminar (6 Credits)

  • FOOD-GE 3400 Departmental Doctoral Seminar  

The seminar carries one credit per semester for the first six semesters of the program. However, students will be expected to actively participate in the seminar until they graduate. Students need to register for this course for either 0 or 1 credit every semester they are matriculated. 

Specialization (15 Credits) – By Advisement

Candidates will select these courses to reflect their specific interests, their research, and their dissertation project.

Total Credits: 36–48**

Matriculation is required in any semester in which a student is not registered for at least one 3-credit course. 

**Students matriculating with previous graduate work or master's degrees in Food Studies or the equivalent choose the 36-credit track (which does not include 12 credits for foundation courses) in consultation with an advisor.

Degree Requirements

Academic Prerequisites

Some preparatory academic work may be required in addition to the minimum specialization requirements for the degree; the need for such work is determined in consultation with an advisor.

Expectations of Doctoral Students

  • Departmental participation in research and service
  • Engagement in research project development
  • Teaching as an assistant; from the second year, shared or responsibility for a class
  • Work with a primary mentor and secondary advisor

Dissertation Requirements

  • Departmental candidacy examination, which includes a written and oral examination.
  • Preparation and defense of a research proposal.
  • Development and completion of a doctoral research project.
  • A written thesis (dissertation) on the project.
  • A final oral examination on the dissertation research.