PhD in Nutritional Science in Washington United States | Howard University

Our program develops compassionate and skilled dietitians, nutrition experts, and health researchers who apply science-backed methods to enhance nutritional health and prevent illness in marginalized populations, improving health outcomes and addressing inequities.

The Nutritional Sciences Ph.D. at the Graduate School equips students for advanced roles in nutrition research, industry, public health, clinical settings, academia, and high-level health advisory positions. This doctoral program focuses on research-driven strategies for advancing nutritional health and preventing disease in vulnerable populations worldwide. Students can specialize in either community nutrition or experimental nutrition, conducting original research aligned with their focus area. Our faculty actively engage in developing, executing, and assessing nutrition programs and policies across local and international contexts. Students receive personalized guidance from distinguished faculty whose diverse research explores food systems, nutrition insecurity, root causes of dietary inequalities, psychological/socioeconomic/cultural influences on health, and nutrition's role in chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Alumni significantly impact the nutrition field through local, national, and global initiatives, pursuing careers as professors, clinical nutritionists, independent consultants, media specialists, and researchers for both private organizations and government entities at all levels.