Community Nutrition & Health Promotion Specialization (Ph.D. in Human Sciences)

Community Nutrition & Health Promotion Specialization

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Sciences

Four people holding health related giant props.

Graduates from this program will be leaders in enhancing health with expertise to: 

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate research-based public policies and programs that enhance food security, nutrition, and health in diverse communities
  • Address disparities in food, nutrition, and health through health behavior change and multi-level ecological approaches through policy, systems, and environmental change
  • Adapt programs in culturally appropriate ways to meet food, nutrient, and health needs across the life cycle

Highly recommended courses (credit hours):

  • NUTR 805 Research Methods (3)
  • NUTR 859 Nutrition: A Focus on Life Stages (3)
  • NUTR 860 Health Behavior Theories and Approaches (3) 
  • NUTR 956 Community Nutrition (3) 
  • NUTR 976 Organization and Management in Community Nutrition and Health Promotion (3)
  • Experiential Learning through community-based practicums, internships, and research (12)

Other courses and programs of interest include:

Descriptions of courses within the department can be found online at: https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/nutr/.

Graduate courses to meet career goals are also available within other departments, find them online at: https://catalog.unl.edu/graduate-professional/courses/.

Total credits required:

  • Minimum of 90 semester hours of credit, including 12-55 hours of dissertation

Doctoral Graduate Teaching Assistantship

Available annually starting in the fall.

  • Teaching is in the fall and spring semesters, with summer teaching also available.
  • Includes partial health benefits and full tuition-waiver of up to 12 credit hours in fall and in spring semesters.
  • High priority for students who:
    • Are committed to a teaching and research career
    • Have an undergraduate or graduate degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or health promotion
    • Have taught or completed courses in nutrition and metabolism, community nutrition, health promotion, health behavior, and/or dietetics at the undergraduate or graduate level
    • Have work experience in community nutrition, health promotion, public health, Extension, teaching, and/or research
  • Only students with completed applications will be considered for this graduate assistantship.

For more information regarding assistantships and fellowships, click here.

Preferred Courses Prior to Admission: 

To be successful in the program, the following courses are preferred - consult with your advisor. 

  • Two semesters of general chemistry (CHEM 109A General Chemistry I and CHEM 110A General Chemistry II)
  • One semester of organic chemistry with lab (CHEM 251/CHEM 253 Organic Chemistry)
  • One semester of biochemistry (BIOC 401/BIOC 401L Elements of Biochemistry or BIOC 431 Biochemistry I: Structure and Metabolism)
  • Human physiology with lab (BIOS 213/BIOS 213L Human Physiology)

Undergraduate catalog

GRE is not required.

Careers

  • Academic Faculty
  • Government Scientist
  • Health Consultant
  • Health Data Analyst
  • Health Department Director
  • Health Policy Researcher
  • National/International Public Health Leader
  • Non-profit Health Program Director
  • Policy Advisor
  • Private Practice Scientist
  • Public Health Officer
  • Research Scientist
  • State Health Program Director

For additional career information, click here.

Associated Faculty