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. Our program is designed for students who are interested in applying nutrition in clinical and community settings as well as in epidemiological research.
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Degree Details
Official Degree Title
PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics
Format
Full-time or Part-time
Credits
54
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadline
We welcome students with a master’s degree; at least one of their degrees must be in nutrition. Students should have a strong and demonstrated interest in applied research and scholarship to apply to our program. We do not have any lab space for bench science.
Once accepted, you will work closely with faculty members actively pursuing applied nutrition research questions related to clinical nutrition, community nutrition, and/or nutritional epidemiology. The degree offers a rigorous mentorship process pairing individual students with a primary faculty advisor to develop a tailored program of study. Beyond nutrition and research methods, students can take courses across the school and university, in subjects including food studies, applied psychology, nursing, global public health, and more. Please be aware that NYU does not have a food science program. Learn more about our curriculum and degree requirements.
Recent nutrition doctoral students pursue a wide range of nutrition-related research topics based on their specific interests, such as diabetes prevention and management, infant feeding, critical care nutrition, food insecurity, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
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.
During their time in the program, nutrition doctoral students will:
- Use qualitative and/or quantitative methods to conceptualize, plan, and execute research related to nutrition science
- Demonstrate competence in teaching nutrition
- Critically analyze, apply, and discuss theories, concepts, and critical issues in nutrition
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate nutrition science concepts effectively orally and in writing
Doctoral students are expected to:
- Participate in the Department, including the Fall and Spring doctoral seminar
- Engage in research project development
- Develop experience in teaching and curriculum development
- Undertake a 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.
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.
Program Benefits for International Students
If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in our program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.
Questions
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact Dr. Jeannette Beasley at jbeasley@nyu.edu .
Department of
Nutrition and Food Studies
411 Lafayette Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10003
Phone: 212-998-5580
Email: nutrition@nyu.edu
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