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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Nutrition

Student Timeline

Students proceed through required coursework, choose electives to acquire new knowledge and skills, and must pass a written qualifying exam. They prepare a proposal for thesis research, complete two oral qualifying exams, then execute the research project, write and defend their thesis. Students proceed through a seminar series on career and proposal development to support work with their advisor. There is a strong preference for primary data collection as part of the thesis, but this is evaluated given the students career goals. All doctoral students at JHSPH must participate in a research project other than their thesis research during this approximately 5-year program.

Year 1

  • Intensive coursework
  • Two-day written comprehensive examination is taken at the end of the year

Year 2

  • Complete any remaining course requirements 
  • Draft a research proposal to serve as the basis for the preliminary oral examinations and dissertation work

Years 3

  • Set up and conduct dissertation research, often in conjunction with working on an advisor’s research project

Years 4

  • Data analysis
  • Write dissertation
  • Defend dissertation