Your application to the PhD in Nutrition Sciences is completed through the UAB Graduate School admissions process. The PhD program in Nutrition Sciences accepts admission for the fall term only. Applications are handled through UAB Graduate School, and your application must be complete by December 1. A complete application includes a CV, essay, and all materials including transcripts and three letters of recommendation. The application fee must be paid to complete your application by the deadline in order to be considered by the admissions committee. International applicants should check with UAB International Student and Scholar Services (email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) to confirm English Proficiency scores and transcript evaluations have been received and approved.

Students who are competitive for the PhD program have an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.5 with a degree in a recognized field of biological, physical, chemical, agricultural, or engineering science from an accredited university . While the GRE is not required, you may submit your scores if your application is strengthened with the score. The admissions committee considers a GRE score (verbal + quantitative) of 310 to be competetive. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years to be considered.

Please note: We do not offer conditional admission.

UAB Graduate School Application Process

Applications are submitted online through the UAB Graduate School. All admissions documents (test scores, transcripts, immigration documents, WES, etc.) must be sent to the UAB Graduate School. Use code 1856.

To apply you must submit the following:

1. Complete the on-line UAB Graduate School application. The fee for domestic applicants is $50, the fee for international applicants is $60.
   Note: When asked to select a concentration you will elect “Not Applicable – Selected Program does not offer concentrations”.
2. Please address the following topics in your letter of application:
   • Short-term and long-term professional goals
   • Research and other training experiences that make you well suited for this program
   • Reasons for applying to this program
3. Submit official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended directly to the UAB Graduate School – note that proof of degree is required. Applicants with coursework earned from institutions outside the United States must provide a course-by-course foreign college transcript evaluation of all attended non-U.S. institutions.* We will accept a transcript evaluation from any NACES accredited evaluation company. A list of approved current members can be found here.
4. Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae. As a part of your application to the UAB Graduate School, you will be asked to provide a current Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
5. Letters of Recommendation (3) are required. Also as part of your application to UAB Graduate School, you will provide reference contact information, including email addresses. UAB Graduate School will contact each of your references who will submit their letters online directly to UAB Graduate School.
6. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores are no longer required to be considered for the program. If have taken the GRE and you want your scores considered as part of your application, submit official scores of the GRE directly from the testing service to UAB Graduate School. Scores may not be more than five years prior to the desired term of admission.
7. For international students, there is an expected cumulative TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5, PTEA (Pearson Test of English Academics) score of 65, Duolingo score of 120, or a IELA (International English Language Assessment) test score of 176. Please contact the Office of International Admissions with questions specific to the English proficiency test requirements. If you are an international student with questions regarding English Proficiency scores, please contact the UAB International Affairs office.

Please note that your application is sent from UAB Graduate School to our department for review only after completion with official transcripts, letters of recommendation and official testing scores.

The PhD in Nutrition Sciences program provides training and research experiences in basic and translational nutrition science. Students learn the science of nutrition as it relates to maintaining the health of individuals and populations, as well as the biochemical basis and application of nutrition to promote health and prevent disease.

Students who are enrolled in the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program complete coursework through a planned, structured, yet flexible curriculum that is tailored to meet each individual’s needs. We create an environment that fosters novel learning and the use of cutting-edge technology to facilitate both scholarly proficiency and an in-depth understanding of nutrition sciences. Our coordinated and interdisciplinary courses will help you transcend boundaries and allow you to succeed in professional and academic arenas.

Possible areas of study are:

Program Timeline

Most students complete the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program within 4 to 5 years of full-time study. The following is a general overview of the program timeline:

Years 1 and 2: Complete core and elective coursework, as well as non-dissertation research hours.

• End of Year 1: Identify research mentor
• End of Year 2*: Produce first research publication

Year 3: Candidacy examination occurs.

Years 4 and 5: Committed to dissertation research. Including completion of original research project, writing of related publications, and dissertation defense.

*Students without a thesis masters degree will complete their thesis requirements during Year 2.

Core Completion Requirements

The following is an overview of the PhD in Nutrition Sciences' Core Course Requirements, listed in chronological order. This outline reflects the first two years of study, subsequent years include additional research hours and elective coursework.

*Denotes courses offered online only

**NTR 788 needs to be taken for a minimum of 5 semesters but should be taken in every Fall and Spring while enrolled in the program. Additional credits of NTR 788 beyond 5 credits may be applied as electives.

***Students should register for electives in odd years.

All students complete a minimum of 12 non-dissertation research hours (NTR 798) and 12-dissertation research hours (NTR 799) in addition to 24 hours of elective coursework.

Approved Electives

The following is an overview of the approved electives for students in the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program. Other electives may be approved by the PhD Program Director in the Department of Nutrition Sciences.

*Denotes courses offered online only

** NTR 755 may only be taken with permission of the program director.

Have an immediate question about the PhD in Nutrition Sciences program? You might find it in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section below.