Doctor of Education in Nutrition Education
The Program in Nutrition is no longer admitting students into the Ed.D. program. If you are interested in doctoral studies with us please see our Behavioral Nutrition Ph.D. degree, which encompasses the areas of nutrition education and nutrition and public health.
History of the Ed.D. Program in Nutrition Education
The Program in Nutrition had a vibrant Ed.D. program began in the1940s and admitted students through 2017. Graduates hold positions across the United States and around the world at universities, government agencies, non-governmental agencies, health promotion and disease prevention settings, hospitals, businesses, and food policy and advocacy organizations. Graduates of this 90-credit degree took numerous courses across many disciplines and conducted unique research projects to become broad and critical thinkers with specializations in areas such as nutrition education, clinical dietetics, psychology, public health, research and evaluation, social equity, and ecological sustainability.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2025, Summer 2025, and Fall 2025 terms.
Program is not accepting applications for the 2025 cycle.
Doctor of Education
- 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.
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2024-2025)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 terms.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Note: The Program in Nutrition is no longer admitting students into the Ed.D. degree. Students are encouraged to consider our Ph.D. program.
The Doctor of Education offers two areas of specialization: Nutrition Education and Nutrition and Public Health.
With the importance of nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention and the widespread interest in the safety and sustainability of the food system, there is a need for highly qualified nutrition professionals who are able to develop appropriate policies and programs.
The Nutrition Education specialization focuses on leadership roles in many settings, such as colleges and universities, health promotion and disease prevention programs, voluntary health agencies, government and international agencies, businesses, hospitals, and food advocacy organizations, where they work with individuals, groups and communities, and serve as faculty members, program developers, and evaluation and research specialists.
Program of Study
The general requirements for the Doctor of Education include a minimum of 90 graduate credits, of which at least 45 must be taken under Teachers College registration. Overall, students will be expected to develop competence in nutrition science, behavioral science, methods of empirical research and data analysis, critical thinking and analysis, and broad areas of scholarship, in addition to developing special skills and knowledge appropriate to their chosen degree in nutrition education or public health nutrition. Students will also be expected to pass a certification examination, usually after the completion of 60 points and Research Seminar in Nutrition (HBSV 6550-6551), and to conduct original research that culminates in the production of a dissertation.
Students will be expected to take courses in the following categories:
-
Major field and specialization: 50-60 credits
-
Research and evaluation: 12-18 credits
-
Broad and basic areas of professional scholarship: 15-24 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.