Combined Ph.D. and Registered Dietitian (R.D.) Certification
explore graduate studies in nutritional sciences
To meet the growing needs for translational research expertise in both dietetics practice and policy and to enhance the effectiveness and impact of clinical and public health nutrition, we offer a combined Ph.D / R.D. program. The program is available to highly qualified applicants from any accredited DPD program who have also earned a masters degree. Accepted students begin their doctoral studies in the Graduate Field of Nutrition in the first year, complete the dietetic internship in their second year, and then continue their doctoral studies.
To meet the growing needs for translational research expertise in both dietetics practice and policy and to enhance the effectiveness and impact of clinical and public health nutrition, we offer a combined Ph.D / R.D. program. The program is available to highly qualified applicants from any accredited DPD program who have also earned a masters degree. Accepted students begin their doctoral studies in the Graduate Field of Nutrition in the first year, complete the dietetic internship in their second year, and then continue their doctoral studies.
Hallmarks of the Field of Nutrition at Cornell include:
- an acclaimed faculty with a wide-variety of research interests, which provide an exceptional range of opportunities for multidisciplinary research and
- the preeminence of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell globally for nutrition education, research and service.
Doctoral students can plan their graduate programs to fit their career goals in one of four specializations: molecular nutrition, human nutrition, community nutrition or international nutrition. Combined Ph.D / R.D. students also complete courses in Nutrition in Action: Theory to Practice, Epidemiology, and Translational Research and Evidence-based Practice and Policy and a translational 'field' experience. Funding support is available from a graduate training program.
Graduates of the combined Ph.D / R.D. program are well-prepared to meet the pressing needs in academic, medicine and policy sectors for translational nutrition researchers. They also are well-positioned because of the limited number of R.D.s in the U.S. who also hold a Ph.D. (4%), few of whom have direct translation and evidence-based policy experience.
Combined Ph.D. - R.D. Applications - December 1 & January 2
Applications must be submitted by December 1 to the Graduate Field of Nutrition at the Graduate School, (see Admissions) and by January 2 for the Dietetic Internship (DI) online through DICAS.
- Dietetic internship application requirements are the same as for applicants to only the DI.
- Combined Ph.D. - R.D. Applications - December 1 & January 2.
- Applications must be submitted by December 1 to the Graduate Field of Nutrition at the Graduate School, (see Admissions) and by January 2 online through DICAS.
- Dietetic internship application requirements are the same as for applicants to only the DI.
- Additional coursework is helpful for molecular nutrition (molecular/cell biology, genetics, etc.) and community nutrition (statistics, social sciences, etc.); significant experience in a developing country is required for international nutrition.
- Prior research experience is advantageous for all specializations.
- Admission by both the Dietetic Internship (through pre-select) and Graduate Field of Nutrition Admissions committees and funding (providing a stipend and tuition waiver) are decided by early February before the dietetic internship match.
- Applicants not selected for the Ph.D./R.D. option may be considered for dietetic internship openings through the match process.
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Have questions? Contact us at dietetics@cornell.edu