PhD in Nutritional Sciences

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Others:

1%

Asian:

22%

Black or African American:

6%

Hispanic:

15%

White:

44%

Two or More Races:

12%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Graduation Rate

84%

Job Placement

98%

Top recruiters

World Health Organization

Coca-Cola

Unilever

Nestlé

Ascension Health

NHS

General Mills

Kraft Heinz

Tyson Foods

Smithfield Foods

Danone

PepsiCo

Mars

Bayer

Tesco

Morrisons

Asda

Waitrose

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$31,530 / year

Overall Cost

$46,530 / year

FAQs

• Who may I contact with questions?
  
  Questions can be directed to [email protected]. Our calendar includes dates for information sessions and online advising sessions. See the advising page for additional resources.
• What kind of jobs are available for Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program graduates?
  
  Students pursue jobs in public health and nutrition research; clinical dietetics (neonatal, pediatrics, adult); local, state, and U.S. government-funded nutrition programs; home health care; the food and supplement industry; consulting practice (business, private); corporate wellness; and sports performance. The 2022 median annual earnings for dietitians and nutritionists in the Seattle-Tacoma area were $76,720, while the national median was $69,350. Visit the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information about a career in nutrition and dietetics. Graduates of the program work as research coordinators in the Center for Public Health Nutrition, the Hunger Intervention Program (Program Manager), Washington Physicians Health Program (Research and Communications Coordinator), Highline Medical Center (On-Call Dietitian), and Harborview Medical Center (clinical dietitian, Patient Food Services Manager), to name a few examples.
• Do you fund graduate students with teaching positions or fellowships?
  
  Current master’s and doctoral students are eligible to apply for several academic student employee (ASE; teaching assistant, research assistant, and reader/grader positions) and scholarships offered by the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program. There are a limited number of competitively awarded research assistantships that are typically awarded to the top graduate applicants to provide support during the first year of study while they work to identify a faculty advisor and pursue options for continued funding. Our students are also eligible to apply for and have been successful in obtaining support from training grants and fellowships offered within the School of Public Health and the University of Washington, including several training grants in Maternal and Child Health. Additionally, our students have found funding from outside organizations such as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Funding opportunities are publicized to all enrolled students as they become available each year. See our Costs & Funding page for more information.
• What will it cost to enroll in the UW's Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health graduate programs?
  
  Tuition and fees are established by the University of Washington. Please visit the UW Registrar’s Office website for more information on residency classification. Though financial assistance through the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program is limited, students who have already been accepted to the program may be eligible for assistantships, scholarships, or other financial assistance. International students requesting an F1 student visa must show proof of financial ability.
• Do you offer a distance learning program?
  
  No. Our graduate program is a full-time, day program held on the UW Seattle campus. You can search for universities offering distance learning programs on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.
• What degrees and programs do you offer?
  
  The Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Public Health Nutrition, a Master of Science (MS) in Nutritional Sciences, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nutritional Sciences*. Any of those programs can integrate the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (GCPD), which provides the coursework and supervised practice required to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). Training in the application of nutritional sciences to dietetic practice is provided through didactic, clinical, and community experiences.
• I've submitted my materials online. Do I need to also send them via mail?
  
  All application materials (including transcripts and recommendations) are submitted online. Applicants are asked to refrain from send materials directly to the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program unless specifically instructed to do so. Admitted applicants who accept their offers will be required to submit official transcripts (paper or digital) to both the UW Graduate School and FSNH office. Instructions will be provided at the time of admission.
• Is there a minimum GPA required for admission?
  
  A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater for your final 90 quarter credits or 60 semester hours is an expectation for graduate study at the UW. This is a requirement of the UW Graduate School and the policy is outlined on the Minimum Admissions Requirements page.
• Is the graduate program competitive?
  
  Each year the program receives approximately 125-150 applications, and we offer acceptance to approximately 16-20%. Our incoming class is typically 18 – 20 students, comprised of 14 positions available in the GCPD (MS/GCPD, MPH/GCPD, or PhD/GCPD), those who choose to pursue a master’s degree without becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, and PhD students.
• Does my foreign degree qualify me to apply to your graduate school?
  
  The Minimum Admissions Requirements section of the UW Graduate School website outlines the degree requirements for prospective graduate students. As the degree requirements come from the UW Graduate School, questions should be directed to their office at [email protected].
• Do I need to have a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics in order to apply?
  
  No. Our students have very diverse backgrounds, with degrees in archaeology, nursing, nutrition, psychology, biology, public health, and many others. See the Eligibility Requirements and Prerequisites sections of the website for additional information.
• Are applicants allowed to submit GRE scores?
  
  If official GRE scores are reported to the University of Washington for the applicant, they will appear in your UW Graduate School application and show as received in your Application Checklist (applicant dashboard). However, consideration of GRE scores is no longer part of the review or decision process for the Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program.
• Are applicants required to submit GRE scores?
  
  Submitting GRE scores is no longer a required part of the application process.