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Doctoral Degree Process

PhD, Nutrition and Dietetics

The doctoral degree process is determined in consultation with an advisor.

  1. Your temporary faculty adviser will help you select courses and get started on the degree process.
  2. Attend NUTR-GE 3098 Doctoral Seminar every semester. Register for the course for 1 credit in every semester in which you are not enrolled in at least 3 credits of course work. Attendance in the doctoral seminars is required.
  3. Begin taking academic course work.
  4. Select the doctoral adviser who will chair your dissertation committee and supervise your research.
  5. Select and begin work on a topic for your dissertation research.
  6. Take courses in your specialization and in cognate studies (related to but not in your field of specialization) and other requirements.
  7. Arrange to take your doctoral candidacy examination when you have completed at least 18—but not more than 48—credits of course work. Two months prior to the candidacy exam, request a reading list from your faculty adviser and other faculty members who will serve on your candidacy exam committee. 
  8. Select and request the official appointment of a doctoral committee chair from the department plus two additional NYU faculty members; meet at least once with the full committee.
  9. Decide on final topic for your dissertation and take the Dissertation Proposal Seminar. Write (and re-write) your proposal if necessary to obtain approvals from all three committee members.
  10. The dissertation committee chair will decide among three oral review options for your proposal review: department faculty, department faculty and outside reviewers, or the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development health panel. Defend proposal.
  11. Complete course work and conduct and complete dissertation research.
  12. Analyze data and write your dissertation with guidance and approval by committee members.
  13. Submit approved dissertation to the Office of Graduate Studies and register for your final oral examination by committee members and two outside reviewers.
  14. Defend your dissertation at the Final Oral Examination; revise your dissertation and submit it to committee members and Office of Graduate Studies for final approval.