PhD in Nutrition

Earn your PhD in Nutrition at Texas Woman's and prepare for a career in academia or research.

Program features

A young woman working on research in a lab setting and wearing safety gear.

*Individual requirements may vary.

View a full list of courses

Why Nutrition at TWU?

Research opportunities

Participate in research with TWU faculty in any of the on-campus laboratories. Currently, funded research includes:

  • Evaluating the flavor associated compounds in strawberries in an attempt to identify attributes associated with U.S. taste preferences
  • Studying watermelon to identify the specific agents contributing to flavor
  • Examining mushroom for their flavor notes and role they may play in satiety and their potential role in weight control

Program requirements

In this program, you will complete a total of 90 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including:

  • 11 credit hours of required courses
  • 12 credit hours of research tools 
  • 10 credit hours of additional courses for the Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition
  • Six credit hours for dissertation
  • An oral final exam that includes defense of the dissertation and research it is based on

An additional nine courses are required for the emphasis in Food Science and Flavor Chemistry option and included courses in:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry, and/or
  • Physics

A full list of courses and requirements are available in the course catalog. 

Admission requirements

Admission to the Ph.D. in Nutrition

Program Contact

Monique LeMieux, Ph.D.
940-898-2712
mlemieux@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall — June 15*
Spring — October 1*
Summer — April 1*

* Our department has rolling admission for all of our graduate programs; however, to ensure a proper start time, we recommend having your application completed by the dates listed above.

Admission Requirements

  • Undergraduate semester credit hour prerequisites, including:
    • Chemistry, including Organic and Biochemistry (9-12 hours)
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology (3-4 hours)
    • Introduction to Nutrition (3 hours)
    • Upper-level Nutrition: Macronutrients and Micronutrients and Nutrition through the Lifecycle (6-9 hours)
  • MS degree (or equivalent to US MS degree) and exhibit research experience that is equivalent to a thesis.
  • Minimum 3.5 GPA (4.0 scale) for the last 60 semester credit hours and all post-baccalaureate and graduate coursework.

Applicants who meet all other requirements but lack up to 9 semester credit hours of prerequisite undergraduate courses may be admitted provisionally to this program. They will complete all 9 semester credit hours during the first two semesters of graduate work.

  • CV or resume providing evidence of prior education, work experience, and research experience (PDF). Research experience should include any prior presentations or publications to which the applicant made significant contributions as well as any expertise in research techniques.
  • Email addresses for two individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.
  • Statement of purpose (one to two pages) that includes reasons for undertaking graduate work, explanation of study and research interests (including desired advisor), research/work experience, and professional goals.

Graduate Admission

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
  2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
  3. Submit Recommendation Requests
    If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application.
  4. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
    1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
    2. Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - Payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
      TWU Admissions Processing, 304 Administration Drive, Suite 102, Denton, Texas 76204
      (include your full name and ID number).
    3. Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (down the hall in ACT).
    4. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
    5. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants

For more information

Helen Everts, PhD, RDN
Associate Professor
SRC 204
heverts@twu.edu
940-898-2639

Nutrition PhD Handbook 2022-2023 (PDF)

Apply today

Page last updated 10:04 AM, March 26, 2024 

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