Doctor of Philosophy in Behavioral Nutrition
The high prevalence of chronic disease and obesity worldwide, and increasingly of diabetes, has added urgency to the need for qualified researchers trained in understanding the complex interaction of biology, environment, and personal behavior, as well as skilled in the development of interventions to potentially attenuate the high rates of these conditions. At the same time, there is increasing recognition of the high impact of behavior and food policy on the sustainability of the food systems on which humans depend for their sustenance.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) prepares graduates to conduct research, evaluation and intervention studies in Behavioral Nutrition. Behavioral Nutrition is an emerging field dedicated to understanding the interaction between biology, individual behavior, and one’s environment that contribute to health and disease, to the sustainability of food systems, and to social issues deriving from systemic racism. Students in the Ph.D. in Behavioral Nutrition design and implement interventions based on these understandings. The program draws on the strong research agendas of the Program in Nutrition faculty in health behavior studies and health education, psychology, behavioral nutrition, nutrition education, nutritional epidemiology, nutritional ecology, and exercise physiology. The research of faculty in other areas at of Teachers College and from other schools at Columbia University, such as the Mailman School of Public Health and the School of Medicine, also influence the program.
In particular, the Ph.D. program prepares graduates to conduct research on critical issues related to:
- Determinants of health behaviors related to nutrition and physical activity
- Relationships among food- and nutrition-related behaviors, health outcomes, and the environment
- Design and implementation of theory-based behavioral nutrition and physical activity interventions
- Methodological considerations in the design and evaluation of interventions
There are three specializations within the Ph.D. program:
- Behavioral Nutrition
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
Graduates holding this degree are leaders who assume research, evaluation, and intervention roles in universities and colleges as well as other settings on a variety of issues related to behavioral aspects of nutrition as well as environmental factors affecting these behaviors. The program prepares researchers with strong quantitative and qualitative evaluation skills as well as basic and applied behavioral skills within an educational context.
Research Training and Apprenticeship
The primary modality for training for Ph.D. students is working with their sponsor on an ongoing research project. Students will work closely with one faculty member on a research project to gain practical experience in the development of study instruments, intervention protocols, data collection, data management and analysis, manuscript preparation and submission, and presentation of results at relevant scientific meetings. During their first year after completing basic core courses, students will also participate in two semester-long part-time internships with other Columbia University research labs or other organizations to gain additional research perspectives.
Read more about our recent doctoral graduates in the Doctoral Student Update.
Read the titles of recent doctoral dissertations.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Points/Credits: 75
- Entry Terms: Summer, Fall
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Campus-Based, Part-Time Campus-Based
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | December 1, 2024 | June 1, 2025 | N/A |
| Fall | December 1, 2024 | July 1, 2025 | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Two (2) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Academic Writing Sample |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact HAEPadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Information
Entering students should have a master’s degree in nutrition or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution, along with the necessary prerequisite undergraduate courses in general, organic and biochemistry, nutrition, statistics, and human physiology. Admissions will be based on prior academic performance, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and an appropriate match between the applicant’s interests, the research work of the faculty, and funding availability. The student will generally be expected to complete the doctorate full-time and to work on ongoing research projects with the faculty.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
With the increasing appreciation of the importance of nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention and the widespread interest in the sustainability and social equity of food systems, there is a need for highly qualified nutrition professionals who understand the complex interaction of biology, environment, and personal behavior. These individuals need to be skilled in conducting research as well as developing and evaluating interventions, programs, and policies in a variety of settings.
The Ph.D. program prepares scholars to conduct research on critical issues related to:
-
Determinants of health behaviors (biological, personal, social, and environmental) related to nutrition and to physical activity
-
Relationships among food- and nutrition-related behaviors and health outcomes using techniques of behavioral epidemiology
-
Design, implementation, and evaluation of theory-based behavioral nutrition and physical activity interventions
-
Methodological considerations in the design and evaluation of interventions
There are three specializations:
-
Behavioral Nutrition
-
Nutritional Epidemiology
-
Nutrition and Physical Activity
The graduates from this program become leaders who assume professorial and research roles in universities and colleges within departments of nutrition epidemiology, foods and nutrition, and physical activity, as well as assume research roles in centers for research on behavioral aspects of obesity, chronic disease prevention, and health promotion. Thus, the program aims to prepare researchers with basic and applied behavioral skills within an educational context.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ph.D. program involves completing the application form available online and submitting all regular admission materials, such as transcripts from all institutions attended, two letters of recommendation, and a writing sample, which can be a thesis, substantial paper, or published article.
The applicant should have a master’s degree in nutrition or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution. Admissions will be based on grades,letters of recommendation, personal statement, and an appropriate match between the applicant’s interests, the research work of the faculty, and funding availability. The student will generally be expected to be full-time and to work on ongoing research projects of the faculty.
Program of Study
The general requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy include a minimum of 75 graduate credits, of which at least 45 must be taken under Teachers College registration.
The Ph.D. has 21-27 credits in advanced topical seminars, research seminar and dissertation advisement, specifically devoted to research-related courses and activities. Students will also be expected to pass a certification examination. Students will conduct original research as part of their dissertation and will need to pass a proposal hearing, an advanced seminar (specifically on their data) and dissertation oral defense on their full dissertation.
Students will be expected to take courses in the following categories:
-
Core courses: 29 credits
-
Courses to develop depth within each specialization: 19-29 credits
-
Research preparation: 21-27 credits
The specific courses selected will depend on the student’s particular background, interests and goals. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students should develop a program plan early in their course of study to provide a rational basis for their course selection.
Research Training and Apprenticeship
The primary modality for training for Ph.D. students is working with their sponsor on some ongoing research project. Students will work closely with one faculty member on a research project to gain practical experience in the development of study instruments, intervention protocols, data collection, data management and analysis, manuscript preparation and submission, and presentation of results at relevant scientific meetings. During their first year after completing basic core coursework, students will also participate in two semester-long part-time internships with other research labs, at Columbia or other academic institutions, to gain additional research perspectives. Visit the website for the Program in Nutrition for more detailed descriptions of the Ph.D. requirements.