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Program of Study - Ph.D. Degree
Background Requirements
Students entering the doctoral program generally hold an MS, have met the course requirements for the Master's degree or take appropriate courses to meet these requirements. Students who lack basic background courses in supporting areas will be required to take these courses at the University of Maryland.
Program Requirements
Courses are chosen in consultation with the student's advisor and/or Faculty Advisory Committee. Supporting courses should provide the student with background work in relevent disciplines.
A minimum of 24 credit hours of graduate study are required to graduate. This includes:
- A minimum of 9 credits of advanced coursework or their equivalents, of which 6 credits must be 600-level,
- A minimum of 12 credits of Doctoral Dissertation Research (NFSC899), and
- A minimum of 3 seminar credits (NFSC 888 or an equivalent course in a related discipline). All students are required to attend all seminars.
Doctoral students are encouraged to present their results at at least one national scientific meeting. It is highly recommended that the doctoral student submit at least one research publication to a peer-reviewed journal prior to the oral defense of his/her doctoral dissertation.
Each student will assist in teaching of at least one course regardless of the source of financial support. International students must meet the English proficiency requirement of the Graduate School. Visit the Maryland English Institute for more information.
A student must be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate within 5 years after admission to the doctoral program and a least 6 are admitted to full candidacy for the Ph.D. upon passing a comprehensive written exam on basic core knowledge of nutrition science and research experience. Also, the student must successfully defend a research proposal through an oral exam.
Attendance at the Distinguished Speakers Seminar Series is required.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required to maintain good academic standing for graduation.
The average duration of the Ph.D. degree program is 3-4 years.
For more information, contact nfscinfo@umd.edu
Last updated: 09/13/2007