Overview

Through advanced training in research, leadership, education, and community engagement, Pennsylvania State University Nutritional Sciences (NUTR) graduate students take part in a breadth of experiences that include applied research in clinical and community settings, as well as a robust body of research focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms of specific nutrients in relation to metabolism and other physiological properties.

What you will study

Focusing on leadership, nutrition research, multidisciplinary training, and marked by the integration of resources and expertise across departments and colleges, the Penn State Graduate Program in Nutritional Sciences (GPN) strives to address extremely complex and far-reaching issues that include:

Enhancing knowledge of requirements for nutrients necessary for optimal growth and well-being, including the interactions among nutrients, the environment, and disease
Advancing methods for assessing nutrient intake and nutritional status
Determining the impact of food, phytochemical, and nutrient intake, as well as dietary patterns on health promotion and disease prevention
Promoting knowledge of factors affecting food preferences, dietary intake patterns, and health habits, as well as developing various intervention strategies and evaluating their nutritional impact at the individual and population level
Developing techniques and behavioral strategies to guide consumers in selecting health-promoting foods and nutritionally adequate diets
Expanding knowledge of the mechanisms of metabolic regulation in humans and other animals, including cellular, molecular, and physiological aspects
Training the next generation of scientists and clinicians in childhood obesity prevention

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Food Systems and Organization Management
Leadership in the Nutrition Profession
Advanced Nutrient Metabolism
Nutritional Assessment and Diagnosis
Advanced Clinical Nutrition
Nutrient and Energy Assessment for Performance
Maximizing Performance Through Nutrition and Other Supplements
Performance Nutrition for Special Populations and Dietary Patterns
Advanced Nutrition and Health Program Planning
Advanced Nutrition Counseling

Key information

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-24 00:00:00

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Language

English

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Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

University Park, United States

Disciplines

Nutrition & Dietetics View 58 other PhDs in Nutrition & Dietetics in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

GMAT

Required

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

Scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), or from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), are required for admission. At the discretion of the graduate program, the GRE or other test scores may be waived for an individual on a case-by-case basis.
College graduates with an undergraduate degree in nutrition, animal sciences, food science, dietetics, or a related biological or social science will be considered for admission.
Applicants should have a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale), an acceptable score on the GRE (an average quantitative and verbal score above the fiftieth percentile), and three supporting recommendations.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

58500 USD / full

≈ 58500 USD / full
Out-of-State

58500 USD / full

≈ 58500 USD / full
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

32460 USD / full

≈ 32460 USD / full

Living costs

University Park

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Nutritional Sciences.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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