Ph.D. Integrative and Functional Nutrition

Admissions Requirements

The following is a list of required and preferred criteria for acceptance into the Ph.D. in Integrative and Functional Nutrition.  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 master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with GPA of 3.3 or above (on a scale of 4.0). 
  • Those with a master’s GPA of 3.0 to 3.3 may be conditionally accepted and required to take a lighter course load and achieve a B or above in all coursework for at least one year. 
  • Preference is given to those with a BS or M.S. 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

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 Ph.D. 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 Ph.D. 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) - Required, Community Learning Experience (CLE) - Optional

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

All students are required to attend the Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) during week one in the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. Although students may complete most courses through distance learning, all our degree programs have VLE requirements. VLEs are academic requirements, and their completion is important for your successful academic progress: they allow you to meet with faculty and co-learners in a synchronous, stimulating, and supportive virtual environment. Our VLEs are an important part of your learning experience as they nurture intellectual and relational creativity, enrich the educational environment, and foster faculty and peer interactions. During the VLE, there are courses being launched, workshops, independent learning activities, peer learning opportunities, community events, and other hands-on experiences intended to nurture professional development, skill building, relationships, and transformative change. You can find the specific hour and track requirements on the Academic Commons University Learning Experience Program Requirements Page linked here. Home - Program VLE Requirements - Libraries at TCS Education System

Students are required to attend the VLE throughout their program and are encouraged to attend the Community Learning Experience (in person) in lieu of the VLE in the fall of odd calendar years.

Certain courses may have additional experiential, participation, or attendance requirements beyond those outlined for the program. Students should consult individual course descriptions for details.

Basic Science (if required)

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

Core Courses required of all PhD in IFN students (26 credits)

• IFN 5514 - Virtual Community in Nutrition 1 credit(s)

•                *Must be taken within the first two semesters.

• 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 5688 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Macronutrients 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5689 - Advanced Nutritional Biochemistry—Micronutrients 3 credit(s)
• IFN 6100 - PhD IFN Seminar 1 credit(s)
• MBM 5500 - Ethics in Healthcare 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5507 - Graduate Level Academic Writing 3 credit(s)

• *Must be taken within the first two semesters.

Research Courses required of all PhD in IFN students (24 credits)

• RES 2100 - Research Foundations and Literacy 3 credit(s)
• RES 2300 - Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis 3 credit(s)
• RES 2500 - Quantitative Data Collection and Statistics 3 credit(s)
• 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)

PhD IFN Total Degree Requirements - 71 Credits

Total Credits with Basic Sciences - 71

Total Degree Requirements with Specialization Option - 83 credits

IFN Electives: Students select 3 courses (9 credits) from the following list:

• IFN 5515 - Lifestyle Medicine for Nutrition Professionals 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 5900 - Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5525 - Introduction to Culinary Nutrition 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5526 - Cultural Competency in Culinary Nutrition 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5527 - Whole Foods Cooking Lab (Remote) 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 course

Open Elective(s) required of all PhD in IFN students (3 credits)

Students elect one course (3 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. 

• Saybrook University partners with the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy (IFNA) to support continued graduate education in integrative and functional nutrition. IFNA is a leading online training and mentoring program that prepares clinicians in evidence-based, root-cause, whole-systems approaches to care. Eligible IFNA students who complete designated training qualify for three transfer credits in the PhD IFN Program. 

Integrative Wellness Coaching (IWC) Specialization - 12 credits

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. 

• Required:

• COA 5628 - Evidence-Based Coaching 3 credit(s)
• COA 5632 - Intermediate Coaching 3 credit(s)
• COA 5593 - Advanced Coaching 3 credit(s)
• COA 5707 - Positive Psychology Applications 3 credit(s)

Mind-Body Medicine Specialization - 12 credits minimum

• Required:

• 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 5569 - Mindful Consulting 3 credit(s)
• MBM 5681 - Psychophysiology of the Human Stress Response 3 credit(s)

• *Courses marked with an asterisk * include a virtual or community learning experience (VLE or CLE). Refer to the course descriptions for details.

Culinary Nutrition Specialization - 12 credits

Overview 

The Culinary Nutrition Specialization prepares students to translate evidence-based nutrition science into practical, food-centered strategies that promote health, prevent disease, and support the management of chronic conditions. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum integrating nutritional science, culinary skills, behavior change, and lifestyle medicine, students develop the knowledge and competencies needed to transform nutrition recommendations into realistic, culturally responsive, and sustainable dietary practices. Emphasizing food as medicine, the specialization equips graduates to apply culinary nutrition principles across clinical, community, educational, and wellness settings, enhancing their ability to improve individual and population health through evidence-informed nutrition interventions. 

• Required:

• IFN 5525 - Introduction to Culinary Nutrition 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5611 - Therapeutic Diets and Menu Planning 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5526 - Cultural Competency in Culinary Nutrition 3 credit(s)
• IFN 5527 - Whole Foods Cooking Lab (Remote) 3 credit(s)

Teaching and Advanced Research Specialization (STAR) -12 credits

Overview 

The 12-credit Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) serves university learners interested in pursuing academic careers. Innovative, learner-centered, skill-based courses in teaching, grant writing, curriculum design, and academic publication prepare learners for professional and scholarly success in their field of interest. Over four core courses, learners develop a scholarly portfolio to promote academic success post-graduation. This academic dossier will include a written teaching philosophy, Curriculum Vitae, exemplar syllabi and course designs, grant proposals, research publications and presentations. Following completion of the core courses, learners then work with faculty research mentors to apply the dossier to professional academic goals: establishing and building professional networks, refining skills, and participating in academic opportunities. STAR learners are invited to present at the STAR Learner Research Symposium, an annual virtual academic conference featuring learner research presentations.  

• Students can enroll in RES4010, RES5010, RES5020, or RES5030 as electives if they meet prerequisites

• RES 5040 - Research Mentoring and Professional Development 3 credit(s)

• Choice of 3 of the following that align with academic career path:

• RES 4010 - Grant Writing 3 credit(s)

• Option: An additional RES 3xxx (Advance Research Methods) can be substituted for Grant Writing

• RES 5010 - Teaching and Instruction in Higher Education 3 credit(s)
• RES 5020 - Curriculum Development and Instructional Design for Higher Education 3 credit(s)
• RES 5030 - Academic Publication and Presentation 3 credit(s)