Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, PhD
Behavior, Biomechanics, Chronic Diseases, Health, Health Disparities, Health Promotion, Interdisciplinary, Kinesiology, Metabolism, Physiology, Research, Translation, approved for STEM-OPT extension, biomedical, lifestyle, public health
Are you interested in improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities? You'll learn to integrate exercise and nutritional science research, enabling you to understand how disease develops and design novel approaches that improve health for all segments of society.
Within integrated disciplinary contexts, the Doctor of Philosophy program in exercise and nutritional sciences curriculum trains you to be a scholar and leader who conducts high-impact, interdisciplinary and translational research in exercise and nutritional sciences.
You and faculty members conduct high-quality, use-inspired research in exercise, nutrition and health promotion that's intended to reduce the physical, social and economic costs of unhealthy living. You engage in research at every stage of the program through:
- dissertation research
- participation in research practicums
- preclinical research and clinical trials
- research seminars and colloquia
- translational research teams
You work collaboratively with an approved mentor throughout the program and focus your research on one of three primary areas of interest: translational metabolism and physiology, behavioral and community health sciences, or biomechanics and motor control.
If you've earned a master's degree, you can complete the program in four years of full-time study. The program also accepts part-time students.
This program may be eligible for an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 24 months. This OPT work authorization period may help international students gain skills and experience in the U.S. Those interested in an OPT extension should review ASU degrees that qualify for the STEM-OPT extension at ASU's International Students and Scholars Center website.
The OPT extension only applies to students on an F-1 visa and does not apply to students completing a degree through ASU Online.
- College/school:
College of Health Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (6 credit hours) Required Research (16 credit hours) Elective Research (12 credit hours) Professional Development (5 credit hours) Focus Area (9 credit hours) Electives (24 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The program integrates professional development through a teaching seminar (CHS 791: Evidence-based Teaching Practices) and a three-semester seminar (CHS 791 Seminar: Early Career Professional Development) that addresses career opportunities and preparation for faculty or professional positions in the nutrition, exercise and health promotion fields. Students entering the doctoral program with a master's degree in a related discipline may count up to 24 credit hours from the master's degree toward the total credit hours, with program approval.
BST 515 Applied Biostatistics in Medicine and Informatics (3)
EXW 645 Advanced Applied Methods and Data Analysis (3)
CHS 600 Research Methods: Translational Science (3)
CHS 791 Seminar: Exercise and Nutrition Journal Club (1)
EXW 700 Research Methods (3)
EXW 701 Scientific Grant Writing (3)
EXW 780 or NTR 780 Practicum (6)
CHS 791 Seminar: Early Career Professional Development (3)
CHS 791 Seminar: Evidence-based Teaching Practices (2)
EXW 799 or NTR 799 Dissertation (12)
Students tailor a course of study in one of three focus areas: behavioral and community health sciences, biomechanics and motor control, or translational metabolism and physiology. Courses in the focus area are determined in collaboration with the student's supervisory committee.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in nutrition, exercise science, kinesiology or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Completion of a data-based research thesis is preferred for applicants entering with a master's degree.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- letter of intent
- resume or curriculum vitae
- three references (academic or professional)
- writing sample (four to eight pages, double-spaced)
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The letter of intent should indicate research or scholarly interest and primary program area and include a statement of career goals and the name of a potential faculty mentor from the list of approved faculty mentors.
Students admitted to the program are expected to have documented academic training and a strong interest in nutrition science, exercise science, biomechanics or health promotion. Thus, depending on their academic training, background, scholarly interests and focus area, a student may be asked to take undergraduate courses as deficiencies before or during graduate course enrollment.
Applicants with a bachelor's degree only must have completed coursework in the following areas before matriculation:
- anatomy and physiology
- biochemistry or exercise physiology
- nutrition
- research methods or evidence-based inquiry
- statistics
Applicants with a master's degree in a related area (nutrition, exercise science, kinesiology or related field) must have complete coursework in the following competencies before matriculation:
- research methods (graduate level)
- statistics (graduate level)
Contact information for three references is required. References are contacted via email to submit a letter of recommendation and respond to a series of questions about the applicant.
Strong applicants are contacted to schedule an interview via teleconference before acceptance.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Priority |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Apply appropriate advanced research methodology in the design and evaluation of research studies in exercise and nutritional sciences.
- Apply appropriate statistical analyses to evaluate research and data relevant to exercise and nutritional sciences.
- Communicate research findings to scientific audiences, including peer-reviewed literature and presentations at scientific conferences and to lay audiences.
- Create a grant proposal that clearly demonstrates significance, innovation and a scientifically justified approach to address a novel research question.
Graduates are prepared for research careers in research-intensive universities, government agencies and health-related research positions in private industry. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue postdoctoral research opportunities upon graduation to further enhance career opportunities.
Career examples include:
- consultant
- entrepreneur
- exercise physiologist
- dietician or nutritionist
- health, research or sports scientist
- postsecondary biomechanics, exercise science or nutrition teacher
- professor
- public health professional
- scientist in pharmaceutical, food science and other related industry
College of Health Solutions
|
HLTHN 401AA
CHSGrad@asu.edu
602-496-3300
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
