PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition - MS-to-PhD Pathway

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Applicants whose ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, but who do not yet hold a master’s degree, may apply directly to PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.  If accepted, these students will enter as PhD students via and follow the 76-credit MS-to-PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition pathway.  In this pathway, students will be registered as doctoral students.  Upon completion of the 39-credits required for the MS in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, students are awarded the MS degree while continuing seamlessly with the remaining PhD requirements. No time off is required at completion of the MS requirements.  This pathway saves the student time and facilitates progression to towards the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. 

Degree Requirements and Learning Outcomes

Students in the MS-to-PhD pathway will complete all degree requirements for the Master of Science and the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition within a single 76-credit degree program, including completion of both the MS IFN Capstone and a doctoral research dissertation.  Students in this pathway will enter directly into the PhD program and, as such, will follow the advanced research course sequence required of doctoral students in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.  Students in this program will be required to complete a doctoral research dissertation to graduate.  By taking 6-9 credits per semester, students in the MS-to-PhD pathway will be awarded the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition in an estimated average of 5 years. However, this time will vary depending on the student’s course sequence and dissertation progress.  Upon completion of all requirements, students will have met the program learning outcomes of PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.

Admissions Requirements

The following is a list of required and preferred criteria for acceptance into the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition via the MS-to-PhD pathway.  Each applicant is assessed individually and all materials including academic transcripts, statement of interest, professional experience, and personal interview are used to determine appropriateness of each candidate. 

• Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with GPA of 3.0 or above (on a scale of 4.0).
  • Preference is given to those with a BS in the health, life, or physical sciences (e.g., nutrition, exercise physiology, biochemistry, chemistry) or whose academic transcripts demonstrate significant science coursework.
    • Alternative degrees will be considered on an individual basis.
• Transcripts from an accredited university showing completion of the following coursework with a B or above within the past 10 years*.
  • credits Human Nutrition
  • 3 credits Biochemistry or Organic Chemistry
  • 3 credits Anatomy and/or Physiology
    • Those lacking one or more of these pre-requisite courses may be accepted but will be required to add the course(s) to their doctoral program at Saybrook.
    • Applicants whose coursework was completed more than 10 years prior to applying, but who have recent related work experience (e.g., Registered Dietitians) may waive some pre-requisite requirements.

Applicants for the doctoral degree in Integrative and Functional Nutrition must submit:

1. Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate universities;
2. A 250-500-words personal statement explaining their professional interest in pursuing the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition;
3. A current resume or CV;
4. A writing sample demonstrating academic writing skills. Writing samples must be independently authored, not professionally edited, and written within the past ten years. Students with challenges in academic writing may be accepted but will be required to take an academic writing class during their first semester.