College of Pharmacy

Nutrition & Dietetics

Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition

The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a program of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Nutrition. The following policies and procedures have been established as a guide to prospective students and advisors and is a supplement to the "Policies and Procedures of the Graduate School". Faculty and prospective students should be familiar with both. For more information on policies and procedures, visit Graduate School website.

Entrance Requirements for the Ph.D. in Nutrition Progam

  1. Courses
    The subject matter listed below will prepare a student for admission to the graduate program leading to a Ph.D. in Nutrition. Applicants to the program will be able to make up some deficiencies after admission, but those courses cannot be used to fulfill the academic requirements for the degree.

    Courses
    Number of Semesters
    Biochemistry
    1
    Biological Sciences
    2
    Physiology - with laboratory
    1
    Mathematics - through pre-calculus
    2
    Statistics - Statistical analysis of biological experimentation
    1

    Additional undergraduate courses may be required for graduate nutrition coursework.
  2. Evidence of research ability
    A Master's Degree that demonstrates the ability to conduct and report research is normally required. Exceptions will be made for students with outstanding academic records and demonstrated research abilities.
  3. Documentation
    Complete transcripts, a letter written by the applicant indicating area(s) of interest and career goals, and (3) letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's qualifications for graduate study must be submitted at the time of application. Research and teaching assistantships are allocated to applicants during the spring semester, and complete applications should be on file by February 1.

Financial Support -- Assistantships

  1. Appointments - Departmental
    The Graduate Affairs Committee shall evaluate all applicants for departmental assistantships and make recommendations to the Department Chair.
  2. Appointments - Grant Funds
    The principal investigator(s) shall recommend appointments to the Graduate Affairs Committee. The Graduate Affairs Committee is responsible for judging the acceptability of the candidate into the graduate program.
  3. Time Limitation for Assistantship Appointments
    The suggested total time limitation for departmental appointments to research and teaching assistantships for Doctor of Philosophy degree candidates is 6 semesters excluding summer session.

    Reappointments beyond suggested Graduate School time limitations will be made only by majority approval of the Food Science and Human Nutrition faculty and will be allowed only under acceptable extenuating circumstances.
  4. Work Load
    The required workload is defined by the Graduate School, and it shall be understood that the workload may be separate from that required for thesis research.
  5. Course Load
    The course load will be as specified by the Graduate School unless it is modified by the department.
  6. Application Procedures
    Applicant should indicate in letter of interest his/her desire to be considered for an assistantship. Fill out and return the Application for Assistantship/Fellowship,
    which is included in the WSU Graduate School's Application package.

Enrollment in the Graduate Program

  1. Each student will be assigned a temporary advisor in an area as close as possible to the student's interest. A permanent advisor and the thesis committee must be chosen as soon as possible in accordance with the rules of the Graduate School. At least one-half of the thesis committee should be composed of Nutrition Program graduate faculty. One member of the Ph.D. advisory committee should be from outside of the Nutrition Program faculty. These committee members and the advisor can be changed with approval of the Program Chair.
  2. The Graduate School requires an annual evaluation of each student as a means of assessing progress toward the degree. This evaluation is intended to provide constructive advice to the student and enhance the training experience. Unsatisfactory progress toward degree objectives could lead to termination of enrollment through action by the Program Executive Committee and Chair.
  3. The student must gain teaching experience to fulfill teaching requirements established by the Program (specific requirements available on request).
  4. Program requirements that are in effect at the time the student's Program of Study is submitted, will apply to the degree.
  5. Resident tuition eligibility: This WSU Ph.D. Nutrition program has been designated as a Western regional graduate program (WICHE), so students are eligible for resident tuition, if a resident of one of the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming). Students are to begin residency paperwork with the WSU Admission's Office their first semester, and students must reside in Washington State to be eligible for resident tuition.

Core Course Requirements for a Ph.D. in Nutrition Degree in the Graduate Program

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree in Nutrition may choose: a) the biological nutrition option that emphasizes the biochemical and physiological aspects of nutrition in humans and animals; or b) the behavioral nutrition option that emphasizes nutrition education, community nutrition, and other behavioral aspects of nutrition.

Supporting Courses
Basic Science Option
Behavioral Science Option
Biochemistry
Graduate Levels		 2 courses 1 course
Statistics
Graduate Level		 1 course 2 courses
Seminar
Graduate Levels		 1 written course
2 oral course 		1 written course
2 oral course
Core Required for Human
Nutrition Students		 Required for Human
Nutrition Students
  1 Graduate course in Biological Nutrition
1 Graduate course in Behavioral Nutrition		 1 Graduate course in Biological Nutrition
1 Graduate course in Behavioral Nutrition
Research Methods 1 Graduate course 1 Graduate course

Note: Students entering the program with a Master's Degree in Nutrition would have many of these courses, and would not have to repeat them. This would allow them the freedom to take courses in an area of interest, possibly a minor.

*Reminder: The Ph.D. student shall meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and the student must include as part of his/her program a significant number of the most advanced courses available in nutrition.

Examination, Research and Dissertation Requirements

Certain details may vary according to departmental affiliation, but all students in the Graduate Program in Nutrition are expected to complete the requirements listed below.

*GPN approved 10/96, 11/98, 7/04

Department and Program Information

The Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Nutrition (GPN) is composed of faculty from the Departments of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Animal Science, which are in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS).

Graduate Program in Nutrition (GPN) Faculty:

Animal Science Faculty: Ron Kincaid, John McNamara and Mark Nelson

Human Nutrition Faculty: Kathy Beerman, Miriam Edlefsen, Linda Massey, Shelley McGuire, Jill A. Shultz, Terry Shultz

Application Process:

TO MAKE APPLICATION TO WSU AND FSHN

Step 1 : Apply to Washington State University (WSU) Graduate School, using the electronic application at www.wsu.edu/~gradsch/howtoapply.htm. Make sure to follow ALL directions and supply ALL documentation, transcripts, names of your three references, TOEFL score (see below), and pay the application fee. Of the three names you submit for references on the on-line Graduate School application, include your academic advisor as one of the references. Letters can be addressed to - Chair, Department of FSHN.

Step 2 : We will be notified by the Graduate School to download a copy of your application and materials.

Step 3 : Apply to Human Nutrition by submitting the following materials in one packet (if possible) and mail to: Program in Human Nutrition, 102 FSHN Building, PO Box 646376, Pullman, WA 99164-6376, USA:

•  Additional Information:

•  For Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) the minimum score is 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test) or 81 (for Internet test). If you received a degree from an English speaking school within two years of your intended enrollment at WSU, the TOEFL is not required. Applicants from the following countries are exempt from this English proficiency requirement: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Guyana, England, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, Trinidad and Tobago.

•  Have ETS send your scores to: University code for Washington State University (WSU) is 4705; Departmental code for Nutrition is 0214 and Food Science is 0107.

Both domestic and international graduate student applications for admission to WSU and FSHN MUST meet the deadlines listed below before your file is reviewed:

APPLYING
FOR FALL SEMESTER
FOR SPRING SEMESTER
All Applicants
January 10th
July 1st

Related Information:

Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition:

Our programs share teaching and research activities with the Department of Food Science and Toxicology at the University of Idaho. The policies and procedures found on this website have been established as a guide to prospective students and advisors. This information is intended to be a supplement to the Graduate School Policies and Procedures established by the Graduate School at Washington State University. Faculty and prospective students should be familiar with both documents.

 

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