Nutritional Sciences, Ph.D.
Overview
The Department of Nutritional Sciences offers a graduate program designed to provide advanced education, training, and research to students desiring mastery in an area of nutrition. This program is offered onsite at the Oklahoma City campus and through distance learning at the OU Tulsa Schusterman campus.
The graduate program provides learning opportunities for the purpose of fulfilling two goals:
- Provide interested individuals an opportunity to augment their knowledge and expertise in nutrition; and
- Provide Registered Dietitians an opportunity for advanced education, training, and research.
Career Opportunities
A wide variety of job opportunities are available for graduates of the program. Graduates may be employed in public health settings, hospitals, clinics, local/state/federal government agencies, wellness centers, private practice, food companies, universities (teaching and research), private industry, and other areas. Marketability is significantly greater if the individual is registry-eligible or a Registered Dietitian.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Admission Requirements
- Submission of completed application (including supplemental application from the College of Allied Health);
- Department interview;
- TOEFL score of 550 or greater from a student for whom English is a second language;
- Completion of the following prerequisites: Biochemistry; Human Physiology; Introductory Nutrition.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements
Minimum of 90 post-baccalaureate credit hours; graduate transfer credit hours: 34; plus 56 credit hours per the following:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fall - Year 1 | ||
| BMSC 6202 | Preparing Future Faculty - Instructional Methods | 2 |
| AHS 6413 | Research Methods | 3 |
| AHS 6960 | Directed Readings | 1-3 |
| Spring - Year 1 | ||
| BSE 5173 | Biostatistics Methods II | 3 |
| CTS 5143 | Foundations of Clinical Research | 3 |
| BSE 5013 | Application of Microcomputers to Data Analysis | 3 |
| Summer - Year 1 | ||
| NS 5990 | Special Studies | 1-6 |
| Fall - Year 2 | ||
| AHS 6950 | Practicum in Allied Health Sciences | 2-6 |
| BSE 5153 | Clinical Trials | 3 |
| AHS 6970 | Seminar in Allied Health Sciences | 1 |
| Spring - Year 2 | ||
| BSE 5653 | Nonparametric Methods | 3 |
| AHS 6970 | Seminar in Allied Health Sciences | 1 |
| AHS Elective | 2 | |
| Summer - Year 2 | ||
| NS 6203 | Nutrition and Cancer | 3 |
| Fall - Year 3 | ||
| AHS 6980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 2-9 |
| AHS 6970 | Seminar in Allied Health Sciences | 1 |
| Spring - Year 3 | ||
| AHS 6980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 2-9 |
| AHS 6970 | Seminar in Allied Health Sciences | 1 |
| Summer - Year 3 | ||
| AHS 6980 | Research for Doctoral Dissertation | 2-9 |
Note: Student’s advisory committee sets the remainder of any needed requirements to meet the 90 hours required for the degree.
Prerequisites
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in graded graduate coursework.
- Have completed 34 credit hours of graduate coursework;
- A master's degree is preferred. If the applicant has earned a master's degree, it need not be in Allied Health Sciences. Each student's Advisory Committee reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any graduate work previously completed by a student and may limit transfer credit. A maximum of 30 hours of master's degree work may be applied to the 90 hours required for the Ph.D. degree;
- Submit a career goal statement with the online application;
- Provide contact information for three (3) individuals who will submit letters of recommendation on your behalf.