Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health

Nutrition and Dietetics, PhD

Introduction

The Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health offers an interdisciplinary program of advanced study in nutrition and dietetics that prepares graduates for teaching, research, administrative, and leadership positions in academic, public health, government, industry, and other institutions.

Detailed explanations of NYU Steinhardt requirements for the doctorate are provided in the Handbook of Doctoral Study, available from the Office of Graduate Studies, and the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development Graduate Bulletin (see below).

For further information, contact:
Dr. Beth Dixon
Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health
35 West 4th Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10012-1172
Telephone: 212 998 5580
Fax: 212 995 4194
E-mail: beth.dixon@nyu.edu
Website: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/nutrition

 

Admission

(Deadline to submit all application materials to the Steinhardt Graduate Admissions Office is December 15, 2007

The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development Admission Requirements (minimum)

  1. Undergraduate or master's degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) combined scores of at least 1200* on the verbal and quantitative sections (higher is better; much higher is much better).
  3. A minimum TOEFL score of 600 for students whose native language is not English.
  4. Current resume or curriculum vitae. This should include information about:
    1. Previous academic training in nutrition or dietetics and the undergraduate or master's level
    2. Previous work experience in nutrition or dietetics
    3. Potential to make a contribution to the profession
  5. Personal statement (about 500 words) explaining:
    1. Why you are applying to the doctoral program
    2. Your career goals and how doctoral training will help you achieve these goals
    3. How doctoral work will help you contribute to the profession
  6. Three letters of recommendation from employers, former professors, or professional colleagues who have observed your work.

Selection Criteria

Acceptance into HOND Nutrition requires one prior degree in nutrition or dietetics.

  • Overall GPA > 3.5 in at least one prior academic degree program.
  • Undergraduate/Masters degrees.
  • GRE scores totaling >1200*
  • Prior professional work or research experience related to departmental programs.
  • Clear focus/goals expressed by applicants through the application and interview process.

Extra consideration for peer reviewed publication by applicants.

* See Department selection criteria.

Expectations of Doctoral Students:

  • Departmental participation including Fall and Spring doctoral seminar
  • Engagement in research project development
  • Teaching experience and curriculum development
  • Candidacy examination and grant proposal in second year
  • Work with a primary mentor and secondary advisor

Review by doctoral faculty begins Spring semester, when applications reach the department. Applicants who pass an initial screening will be invited to interview with specific faculty members in person or by telephone. Admission is highly selective. The decision is based on faculty availability and research interests, as well as on the full range of admission criteria.

Application Procedures

  1. 1. Request application materials and a copy of the Bulletin from:

    Office of Graduate Admissions
    New York University
    The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
    82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor
    New York, NY 10003-6644

    Or - Download an application from: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/application/
  2. Send to that office: the completed application form checked for the doctoral program in Nutrition and Dietetics, two copies of official transcripts, GRE scores, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, current resume, and any other pertinent credentials, along with the current application fee.
  3. The final deadline for submission of all materials is December 15 (no exceptions) for Fall admission.
  4. All applicants to full-time doctoral study will automatically be considered for Steinhardt Fellowships for Doctoral Study teaching assistantships or graduate assistantships (TA/GA positions).
  5. Applicants for part-time doctoral work who are interested in adjunct teaching should mention that interest in their personal statement.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to U.S. citizens; apply through Graduate Admissions.

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.

Foundations Courses:

Graduate level courses qualify if they meet the following criteria: (1) they provide broad basic content, not limited to a single profession, and are outside the student's specialization, and do not require prerequisites; (2) are based on current scholarship in the arts, humanities, sciences and/or social sciences; and (3) have wide applicability to common issues of the student's specialization and profession. (To be completed during the first 24 credits of doctoral study).

* Students matriculating with previous graduate work or master's degrees may be held for fewer credits.

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.

Doctoral Curriculum

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

Foundations Courses - select one from A and one from B

6 points

A. E20.2400 Foundations of Education: Educational Sociology (3)
E63.2400 Foundations of Education: Educational Psychology (3)

B. E50.2400 Foundations of Education: Philosophy of Education (3)
E55.2400 Foundations of Education: History of Education (3)

If equivalent courses have been taken previously, you may select from:

  • E20.2089 The Sociology of Complex Organizations (3)
  • E20.2090 Planned Change in Organizational Settings (3)
  • E20.2371 Social Inequity and Education (3)

* also, ask advisor for current list from Dean, Academic Affairs

Cognate Study (by advisement)

  • Courses related to, but not in your field of study 6 points

Specific Research Methods (others by advisement) 3 points

  • E10.2134 Experimental & Quasi-experimental Design & Analysis Research (3)
  • E10.2135 Historical Research (3)
  • E10.2137 Aesthetic Inquiry (3)
  • E10.2139 Survey & Correlation Research (3)
  • E10.2140 Qualitative Field Research: Design & Analysis I (3) and
  • E10.2141 Qualitative Field Research: Design & Analysis II (3)

Proposed Seminar 3 points

  • E10.3001 or E10.3002 or E63.3001 Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3)

Research Electives* - these may include: 12-15 points

  • Foundations of Research or Survey of Research Methods offered by the Department or School
  • Prerequisites to research methods courses
  • Advanced courses in research design, data analysis, tests and measurements;
  • Prerequisites for those courses
  • Fieldwork seminars
  • Foreign language courses
  • Other research skills courses

Other Electives 3 points

Specialization (by advisement)* 18 points

Total: 54 points**

E33.3098 Doctoral Seminar (1) As needed to maintain matriculation

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

* Courses counted toward Specialization may not also count as Research Electives.

** Students matriculating with previous graduate work or master's degrees may be held for fewer credits as determined in consultation with an advisor.

Doctoral Degree Process

  1. Identify your temporary faculty advisor. This advisor will help you select courses and get started on the degree process.
  2. Every semester: Attend E33.3098 Doctoral Seminar for 0 credits. Register for the course for 1 credit in every semester in which you are not attending at least 3 credits of coursework. (This course substitutes for Doctoral Advisement fee).
  3. Begin taking Foundations (sociology, psychology, history) and Specialization courses.
  4. Select the doctoral advisor who will chair your dissertation committee and supervise your research.
  5. Select and begin work on a topic for dissertation research.
  6. Take courses in research theory and practice, cognate studies (related to but not in your field of specialization), and other requirements.
  7. Doctoral Candidacy Examination: take when you have completed at least 18 - but not more than 36 - credits of coursework. Two months prior to the candidacy exam, a reading list must be approved by advisor.
  8. Doctoral Committee: select and request official appointment of committee chair from the department plus two additional NYU faculty; meet at least once with full committee.
  9. Dissertation Proposal: decide on final topic for thesis. Take Dissertation Proposal Seminar. If applicable, apply for permission to conduct research on human subjects. Write (and endlessly re-write) proposal. Obtain approvals from all three committee members.
  10. Proposal Review: dissertation committee chair will decide among three oral review options: department faculty, department faculty and outside reviewers, or The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development health panel. Defend proposal.
  11. Complete coursework and conduct and complete dissertation research.
  12. Analyze data and write dissertation with guidance and approval by committee members.
  13. Submit approved dissertation to Office of Graduate Studies and register for final oral examination by committee members and two outside reviewers.
  14. Final Oral Examination: endure. Revise dissertation and submit for final approval.