Applied Physiology & Nutrition (PhD)

Admission to the Program

For optimal consideration:

• Fall 2024 semester admission materials should be submitted by May 1
• International students' materials should be submitted by April 1

Official deadline for Fall: Aug. 10

About

The concentration in Applied Physiology and Nutrition (APHN) is an interdisciplinary, research-intensive program that provides training in basic and translational science. The focus of the program is on the role of nutrition in health and disease and areas of study include immunophysiology and -metabolism, circadian biology and bioenergetics. You will work closely with faculty who are experts in their respective fields. As part of the coursework in the PhD program you will learn the biochemical basis and application of nutrition.

Graduates will be able to contribute as leaders and collaborators in at least one research specialty area within APHN. You are expected to continually contribute to the research activities conducted in at least one of the laboratories supporting the APHN program under the direction of a resident Full Graduate Faculty Mentor.

Major: Applied Physiology & Neuromechanics (APNM)
Concentration: Applied Physiology & Nutrition (APHN)

The APHN PhD program has two entry points:

Post-bachelor’s (minimum of 72 credit hours total)
Post-master’s (minimum of 36 credit hours total)

Post-bachelor’s Admission Requirements:
(Phase 1 for post-bachelor’s admission into PhD program)

• Completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours (8000-level courses when available) for the post-bachelor's portion
• 12 credit hours of designated research/statistics courses
• 12 credit hours of specified ESMS or NUTR courses
• Six credit hours of electives approved by the doctoral committee
• Must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.00
• Six credit hours of applied project or thesis
• Successful written and oral defense of applied project or thesis
• Fall and spring doctoral seminar participation
• Successful completion of the Oral Master’s Comprehensive Exam as part of the applied project/thesis defense
• MS degree awarded with a major in Health Studies and a concentration in Exercise, Sport & Movement Sciences, or a major in Nutrition with a concentration in Nutrition Science (depends upon whether designated ESMS or NUTR courses were completed)

Post-master’s Admission Requirements:
(Phase 2 for post-bachelor’s admission into PhD program)

• Completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours (8000-level courses when available) for the post-master's portion
• Six credit hours of research/statistics beyond the initial 12 credit hours (Note: If any of the research/ statistics courses designated for post-bachelor’s admission have not been completed, they must be taken during the first year of matriculation in the post-master’s program, but they do not count toward the 36 credit hours required in the program of study.)
• 24 credit hours of doctoral committee-approved courses including 12 credit hours of supervised research
• Must maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.00
• Residency & Professional Scholarship
• If an applied project or thesis was not completed as part of the master’s degree, then either must be formally completed and defended prior to the dissertation proposal (Note: In this case, the 6 credit hours do not count toward the 36 credit hours required for the program of study.)
• Fall and spring doctoral seminar participation until Doctoral Exams passed
• Successful completion of Written and Oral Doctoral Comprehensive Exam before the dissertation proposed
• Six credit hours of dissertation chaired by a Full Graduate Faculty member in the APHN program
• Successful written and oral defense of the dissertation

PhD Program Overview >

Research

Advanced research facilities and equipment are available to support this degree:

Center for Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Research
Biochemistry Lab
Molecular Biology Lab
Bone Densitometry and Body Composition Lab
Cardiorespiratory/Metabolic Lab
Exercise Instructional Lab
Musculoskeletal Analysis Lab

Lab Equipment Inventory >