PhD in Human Nutrition | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health

About the PhD in Human Nutrition Program

The doctoral program in Human Nutrition is designed to train professionals to identify, understand and solve, through scientific methods, problems of public health importance in human nutrition. Graduates are expected to assume leadership roles in academia, government, industry and other private sector enterprises.

This is a STEM designated program. Eligible F-1 visa students can receive an additional 24 months of work authorization, beyond the initial 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Apply by December 1 for an August start.

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PhD in Human Nutrition Program Highlights

Graduates will be prepared to advance knowledge in human nutrition through research and advocate the application of such knowledge through public health policies and programs.

GLOBAL NETWORK

Research opportunities in the U.S. and around the world

HEALTH EQUITY

Learn what influences food choices, diet quality, and diet-related health outcomes

CHRONIC DISEASE

Study nutrition-related chronic diseases and obesity

STEM DESIGNATED

Eligibility for a 24-month STEM OPT extension

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Human Nutrition?

Human Nutrition graduates enjoy careers in academia, government and nongovernment sectors, and industry. Alumni hold faculty appointments at leading universities and ministries of health on five continents and positions at major global health organization. Visit the Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Associate Professor, UC Davis
Senior epidemiologist, CDC
Nutrition Specialist, The World Bank
Evaluation Specialist, Mercy First
Scientist, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Director, GWU

Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard Filter by degree and/or department to view program-specific results

Curriculum for the PhD in Human Nutrition

Students develop the professional skills necessary to work effectively in leading roles at academic, research, programmatic and policy-setting institutions.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU Academic Catalogue, explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School Course Directory, and find many more details in the program's Academic Guides.

Courses Available in the Following Areas:

Nutrition
Micronutrients
Maternal and Child Health
Newborn Health
Adolescent health
Proteomics
Epidemiology

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Graduate Degree

A minimum of 1 year of postbaccalaureate education or experience such as a master's degree, a dietetic internship, medical training, or other relevant work experience

Prior Work Experience

Not required but highly desirable

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores are required for this program. This program accepts the following standardized test scores: GRE. Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Yeeli Mui

Assistant Professor

International Health

Yeeli Mui, PhD '17, MPH, examines structural interventions to address food system issues and advance health equity through the lens of urban policy and planning.

Mika Matsuzaki

Assistant Professor

International Health

Mika Matsuzaki, PhD, MPH, MS, a life-course epidemiologist, studies how food environments & nutrition policies affect youth diet quality & nutrition-related chronic diseases.

Julia Wolfson

Associate Professor

International Health

Julia Wolfson, PhD '16, MPP, studies individual, structural, and policy factors that influence food choices, diet quality, and diet-related health outcomes.

Parul Christian

Professor

International Health

Parul Christian, DrPH '96, MSc, studies how to improve maternal and child nutrition and prevent micronutrient deficiencies with effective solutions in low-income settings.

Tuition and Funding

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants
Students who are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU. These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need. View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students.

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