M.S.-to-Ph.D. Pathway Integrative and Functional Nutrition

Overview of Program

Applicants whose ultimate goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition, but who do not yet hold a master's degree, may apply directly to Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. If accepted, these students will enter as Ph.D. students via and follow the minimum 77-credit M.S.-to-Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition pathway. In this pathway, students will be registered as doctoral students. Upon completion of the 40-credits required for the M.S. Integrative and Functional Nutrition, students are awarded the M.S. degree while continuing seamlessly with the remaining Ph.D. requirements. No time off is required at completion of the M.S. requirements. This pathway saves the student time and facilitates progression towards the Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Apply evidence-based integrative and functional nutrition approaches to comprehensively assess and promote the health and wellness of diverse individuals and communities.
Critically evaluate and utilize evidence-based resources to inform professional practice.
Explain the science of integrative and functional nutrition in health promotion and disease prevention and management to lay audiences and health professionals.
Apply knowledge of biochemical, physiological, and psychosocial sciences to assess nutritional status and design integrative interventions. 
Identify and articulate the ethical, humanistic, and legal guidelines for professional nutrition practitioners.
Synthesize nutrition research to identify information gaps in the literature and articulate implications for future research.
Propose and conduct a quality research study and present the findings to professional audiences.

Specializations

Specialization in Mind Body Medicine
Specialization in Integrative Wellness Coaching

Career Opportunities

Students in the M.S.-to-Ph.D. pathway will complete all degree requirements for the Master of Science and the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition within a single 77-credit degree program, including completion of both the M.S. IFN Capstone and a doctoral research dissertation. Students in this pathway will enter directly into the Ph.D. 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 M.S.-to-Ph.D. pathway will be awarded the Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition degree 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 Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition.

Those earning the Ph.D. 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 M.S. to Ph.D. Pathway 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 Ph.D. 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)

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

The following is a list of required and preferred criteria for acceptance into the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition via the M.S.-to-Ph.D. pathway. Each applicant is assessed individually and all materials including academic transcripts, statement of interest, professional experience, and personal interview are used to determine the 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*. If any of the prerequisite science courses are taken at University, a grade of 75% or above is required. Course equivalencies between Saybrook University and Straighterline can be found at https://www.straighterline.com/colleges/saybrook-university/. Please note that if you plan to pursue other educational or credentialing experiences after you complete your Saybrook University journey, you must check with the other institutions/organizations first to determine whether they accept Straighterline courses.
- 3 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:

Official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate universities;
A 250-500-words personal statement explaining their professional interest in pursuing the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition;
A current resume or CV
Upon request, some students may be required to 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.

University Learning Experience

Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) - Optional, Community Learning Experience (CLE) - Optional

All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities are held online during the week ahead of the start of the fall and spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged.

No face-to-face residential learning experiences are required for this degree. However, students are invited to attend any of Saybrook’s face-to-face residential learning experiences or virtual learning experiences where they will meet other Saybrook students, faculty, and staff. The integrative and functional nutrition department faculty will offer programming and participate in these learning experiences.

Program Specific 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 M.S. to Ph.D. 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 M.S. to Ph.D. 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.

Credits/Hours

Mode of Delivery

Utilizing Canvas as the Learning Management System (LMS), IFN courses are delivered in a mostly asynchronous manner with weekly or biweekly due dates for assignments. IFN courses are supplemented with live Zoom videoconferences. Most IFN courses require attendance at 2-3 live videoconferences.

Length of Program

Students in the M.S.-to-Ph.D. pathway will complete all degree requirements for the Master of Science and the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition within a single 77-credit degree program, including completion of both the M.S. IFN Capstone and a doctoral research dissertation. Students in this pathway will enter directly into the Ph.D. 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 M.S.-to-Ph.D. pathway will be awarded the Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition.

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

Students in this minimum 77-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 M.S. to Ph.D. 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 M.S. to Ph.D. Pathway 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.

Required Courses

Core courses required of all PhD in IFN students (29 credits)

IFN 5514 - Virtual Community in Nutrition 1 credit(s)
IFN 5660 - Methods in Nutrition Research 3 credit(s)
IFN 5670 - Foundations of Integrative and Functional Nutrition 3 credit(s)
IFN 5681 - Systems Biology I 3 credit(s)
IFN 5682 - Systems Biology II 3 credit(s)
IFN 5687 - Capstone Seminar in Integrative and Functional Nutrition 3 credit(s)
IFN 5688 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Macronutrients 3 credit(s)
IFN 5689 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Micronutrients 3 credit(s)
IFN 5900 - Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease 3 credit(s)
IFN 6100 - PhD IFN Seminar 1 credit(s)
MBM 5500 - Ethics in Healthcare 3 credit(s)

Research courses required of all PhD in IFN students (21 credits)

RES 2100 - Research Foundations and Literacy 3 credit(s)
RES 2300 - Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis 3 credit(s)
Or
RES 2500 - Quantitative Data Collection and Statistics 3 credit(s)
This RES course decision (RES2300 or RES2500) should be based on the specific dissertation research methodology. This course should also serve as the appropriate prerequisite course for RES3xxx. See course descriptions.
RES 2700 - Statistics 3 credit(s)
RES 3500 - Research Design and Scholarly Writing 3 credit(s)
RES 3xxx - Advanced Research Methods 3 credit(s)
(Select one course which will reflect the methodology of the student’s dissertation research. see course descriptions RES 3000-3400) 3 credit(s)
RES 7000 - Dissertation Proposal 3 credit(s)
RES 7100 - Dissertation 3 credit(s)

Basic Science Pre-requisites (if required)

IFN 5520 - Nutritional Science 3 credit(s)
IFN 5703 - General Biochemistry 3 credit(s)
IFN 5704 - Anatomy and Physiology 3 credit(s)

Total Credits with basic sciences minimum 76-85

IFN Electives: Students select 6 courses (18 credits) from the following list:

IFN 5515 - Systems Biology of Lifestyle Medicine 3 credit(s)
IFN 5522 - Nutritional Genomics 3 credit(s)
IFN 5611 - Therapeutic Diets and Menu Planning 3 credit(s)
IFN 5661 - Nutritional Foundations of Mental Health 3 credit(s)
IFN 5663 - Sports and Exercise Nutrition 3 credit(s)
IFN 5673 - Integrative Approaches to the Digestive System 3 credit(s)
IFN 5676 - Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicine 3 credit(s)
IFN 5686 - Functional Nutrition Laboratory Testing 3 credit(s)
IFN 5694 - Nutrition-Focused Physical Exam 3 credit(s)
IFN 5705 - Psychobiology of Eating 3 credit(s)
Any new course with IFN Prefix (EXCEPT IFN 5703, IFN 5704, IFN 5520):
Any additional research courses

Writing and open elective courses required of all PhD in IFN students (9 credits)

MBM 5507 - Graduate Level Academic Writing 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Students elect two courses (6 credits) from any course across the University for which they are eligible. Students requiring any of the basic sciences may use open elective credits to meet these requirements. Students who are notified of their eligibility to opt out of MBM5507 may elect one additional open elective (3 credit) course to fulfill the degree requirements.

*All required coursework is done virtually. However, some elective options have 1-2-day residential components for which students would be required to attend if they select these courses. Also note that while the residential component is not required, students may opt to attend at any time.

Notes:

Students who demonstrate equivalent professional learning to waive a required course(s) will be able to take elective course(s) in place of the waived course(s). Available electives will be discussed with your academic advisor in your first term of enrollment.
Students who hold the credential of Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration are eligible for Advanced Standing and will receive a 6-credit reduction from the Master of Science in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program or a 9-credit reduction from the PhD in Integrative and Functional Nutrition program. This is the maximum allowance for credit reduction for these programs. Credit reduction may be made by removal of required or elective courses and will be determined on an individual basis by the department chair or academic advisor.
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) provides holistic training in the field of nutrition. IIN’s Health Coach Training Program includes coursework in nutrition, health and wellness, coaching techniques, business skills, and personal development. The articulation agreement with Saybrook University allows graduates of the IIN training programs to authorize six credits of graduate credit toward CIMHS masters and doctoral programs.

Optional: Specialization in Mind-Body Medicine - 12 credits

MBM 5710 - Mind-Body Therapies and Practices 3 credit(s)
Choose 3 from the list below - 9 credits
MBM 5510 - Imagery for Health 3 credit(s) *
MBM 5516 - Contemplative Approaches to the Chronically Ill, Dying, and Their Families 3 credit(s)
MBM 5517 - Contemplative Approaches to Grief and Loss 3 credit(s)
MBM 5521 - Reflective Leadership in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
MBM 5523 - Theories & Applications of Mindful Leadership 3 credit(s) *
MBM 5655 - Mindfulness, Meditation, and Health 3 credit(s) *
MBM 5616 - Movement Modalities for Wellness 3 credit(s) *
MBM 5635 - Spirituality and Health 3 credit(s)
MBM 5645 - The Human Energy Field and Energy Medicine 3 credit(s)
MBM 5674 - Ayurvedic Medicine 3 credit(s)
MBM 5681 - Psychophysiology of the Human Stress Response 3 credit(s)
MBM 5569 - Mindful Consulting 3 credit(s)
Courses with asterisk * indicate a 1 or 2-day virtual or community learning experience (VLE or CLE). Refer to the course description for details.

MS to PhD IFN Total Degree Requirements with Specialization in MBM - 88-100 credits minimum

Optional: Specialization in Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) - 9 credits minimum

The Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Certificate program is available to all students interested in Integrative Wellness Coaching who do not currently hold an ICF or NBHWC credential. Students who have completed part of the program before 2025 must retake the 2025 IWC Certificate program in its entirety to align with updated ICF and NBHWC accreditation standards. The IWC Certificate program is unavailable to Teaching Fellows, adjunct faculty, or core faculty, and auditing the program courses is not permitted.

COA 5628 - Evidence-Based Coaching 3 credit(s) *
COA 5632 - Intermediate Coaching 3 credit(s)
COA 5593 - Advanced Coaching 3 credit(s)

MS to PhD IFN Total Degree Requirements with Specialization in IWC - 85-97 credits minimum

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