Integrative and Functional Nutrition - MS-to-PhD Pathway

Return to: Academic Programs

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 minimum 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.

Those earning the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from Saybrook University will be prepared as scholar-practitioners to hold careers in academia, research, public health, or private practice.

Saybrook University’s PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree program fulfills the current academic requirements for the Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) exam. The Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) requires a graduate degree in the field of nutrition from a regionally accredited university, specific coursework, and 1,000 hours of supervised experience.  The BCNS reviews each candidate individually, including current course descriptions, transcripts and experience to determine eligibility.  To learn more about becoming a CNS, see www.theana.org

In addition, the program fulfills the current core academic requirements in nutrition of the Clinical Nutrition Certification Board (CNCB) for the Certified Clinical Nutritionist (CCN) credential. The CNCB reviews course descriptions, applicant’s transcripts, and academic programs to determine eligibility for the CCN examination. To learn more about becoming a CCN, see www.cncb.org

If you are interested in seeking the RD credential upon completion of the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program at Saybrook University, please visit the website of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/ispp-for-students. ACEND^® policies for Individualized Supervised Practice Pathways (ISPPs) allow individuals holding a doctoral degree without a DPD verification statement to apply for an ISPP; however eligibility requirements and options may vary by program. You can see which Dietetic Internships, Coordinated, or Didactic programs currently offer ISPPs by visiting Accredited Education Programs. Doctoral degree holders without a DPD verification statement must attend an ISPP that is approved to offer a track for individuals with a doctoral degree. Students interested in applying to an ISPP should research the eligibility requirements of the program where they intend to submit an application, including whether you are required to locate your own preceptors, and then contact the program director. Individuals with work experience should also inquire whether the program grants credit for specific competency requirements through an assessment of prior learning. 

Depending upon each state’s specific credentialing and practice requirements, graduates may consider careers in:

• Research
• Nutrition consulting
• Product development
• Higher education
• Food and culinary settings
• Health program development and execution
• Public health care, community organizations, legislature and policy settings
• Public speaking or journalism (non-technical, technical)

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. Provide a sample demonstrating academic writing skills. Writing samples and other Admissions documents must be solely and independently authored by the applicant, not professionally edited, and written within the past ten years. Due to the importance of scholarly writing standards, all PhD IFN students will be required to take the graduate level academic writing course. Writing samples will be analyzed to assess whether the applicant can be waived from this requirement. Note that if plagiarism is found, it can be disqualifying for admission. Plagiarism is defined in the Saybrook catalog section, “Policy on Academic Honesty (Plagiarism) and Authorship.

Degree Requirements

Students in this minimum 76-credit program take a core set of advanced nutritional science courses to establish a strong foundation on which to build.  Students then select from a variety of nutrition electives, covering topics such as dietary supplements, culinary medicine, gastrointestinal health, and sports nutrition to allow for program customization.  Students may also elect to take courses from other programs across the university, from which they can acquire complementary knowledge in areas of mind-body medicine, wellness coaching, psychology, and more. 

Saybrook may accept up to nine graduate-level transfer credits into the MS to PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition Pathway.  Credits must be from suitable coursework completed at another regionally accredited college or university within the past 15 years with a grade of B or above.  Transfer credits must be approved by the Department Chair and are applied to the number of elective or required course credits needed for degree completion. For further details regarding transfer credit policies, consult the Institutional Transfer Credit Guidelines section of the University Catalog.

The MS to PhD Pathway in Integrative and Functional Nutrition requires completion of a doctoral research dissertation.  Students take a series of advanced research courses to prepare them to design and conduct a research study on a nutrition topic of their choice.  Students must complete all degree requirements, including completion of the research dissertation process, to graduate from the program.  Approximate time to graduation is five years, but varies depending on each individual’s pace, course requirements, and dissertation progress.