Program
The Drexel Nutrition Sciences PhD Program's mission is to develop scientists who are able to contribute to the scholarly generation of nutrition science knowledge, spanning the overlapping disciplines of human nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, food safety, human physiology, exercise physiology and community nutrition. The translation of this knowledge with respect to health, disease prevention and treatment is vitally important in today's society.
Nutrition scientists who have a PhD can be involved in research, education, industry, community health, and/or clinical practice.
This innovative PhD program is only the second of its kind in the state, positioning graduates as unique PhD-educated nutritionists who will be able to discover and design new treatment interventions to solve current epidemics such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
What you’ll learn
This 90-quarter credit, full-time program provides graduate level students with nutrition science knowledge that spans multiple nutrition-based disciplines.
Students will study:
- Structural, biochemical and metabolic functions of nutrients and other dietary constituents,
- Food, diets and supplements,
- Nutritional status assessment,
- Nutrition and disease,
- Nutrition intervention and policies.
What makes the Drexel Nutrition Sciences PhD Program unique?
- Unique, innovative program - first of its kind in the Greater Philadelphia region.
- PhD-educated nutritionists are in currently in high demand.
- You will be part of the Drexel College of Nursing and Health Professions with access to clinical practice environments and simulated health care scenarios.
COMPLIANCE
The College of Nursing and Health Professions has a compliance process that may be required for every student. Some of these steps may take significant time to complete. Please plan accordingly.
Visit the Compliance pages for more information.
Admission Requirements
Degree:
Applicants must possess a minimum of a Bachelor's of Science degree in biology, chemistry, nutrition, exercise physiology, food science or a similar area with a strong science base. GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Standardized Tests:
GRE: minimum combined score of 308 on the Verbal and Math sections
Transcripts:
- Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all the colleges/universities that you have attended. Transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the college/university seal over the flap. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
- Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
- If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency
- Use our Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions
Prerequisites:
Must have taken an advanced undergraduate course in biochemistry, as well as a course in human nutrition and a course in basic statistics.
References:
Two letters of recommendation from advisors, supervisors, professors, and/or mentors
- You may use our electronic letter of recommendation service
- If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter, please remind them that it must include an ink signature and be submitted in a sealed envelope.
Personal Statement/ Essay:
Personal statement outlining career plan, topic of research interest and preferred Nutrition Sciences faculty mentor which whom he/she would like to work
Interview/Portfolio:
Interview may be required.
CV/Resume:
Required.
Clinical/Work/Volunteer Experience:
While specific experience not required, previous related work experience may make applicant more competitive.
International Students:
International applicants, as well as immigrants to the United States and U.S. permanent residents whose native language is not English and who have not received a bachelor's degree or higher in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, must show proficiency in English speaking as well as listening, writing and reading. American citizens born on U.S. military bases abroad may be waived from the TOEFL requirement after providing documentation of this status. Otherwise, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:
If you take the TOEFLiBT exam, you must have:
- a minimum combined score for listening, writing, and reading sections of 79 plus a speaking section score of 26 or higher.
- a minimum score of 550 or higher and a Test of Spoken English score (TSE) of 55 or higher.
Tuition and Fee Rates:
Please visit the Tuition and Fee Rates page on Drexel Central