Doctor of Education in Nutrition & Public Health
The Program in Nutrition is no longer admitting students into the Ed.D. program. If you are interested in doctoral studies with us please see our Behavioral Nutrition Ph.D. program, which encompasses the areas of nutrition education and nutrition and public health.
History of the Ed.D. Program in Nutrition & Public Health
The Program in Nutrition had a vibrant Ed.D. program which began in the 1940s and admitted students through 2017. Graduates hold positions across the United States and around the world at universities, government agencies, non-governmental agencies, health promotion and disease prevention settings, hospitals, businesses, and food policy and advocacy organizations. Graduates of this 90-credit degree took numerous courses across many disciplines and conducted unique research projects to become broad and critical thinkers with specializations in areas such as nutrition education, clinical dietetics, psychology, public health, research and evaluation, social equity, and ecological sustainability.
Admissions Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024 terms.
Doctor of Education
- Points/Credits: 75
- Entry Terms: N/A
Application Deadlines
- Spring: N/A
- Summer/Fall (Priority): N/A
- Summer/Fall (Final): N/A
* *Program is not accepting applications for the 2024 cycle*
Supplemental Application Requirements/Comments
- Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume
- Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed
- Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable)
- $75 Application Fee
- Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
- Academic Writing Sample
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2023-2024)
Displaying catalog information for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 terms.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Note: The Program in Nutrition is no longer admitting students into the Ed.D. degree unless with special permission. Students are encouraged to consider our Ph.D. program.
The Doctor of Education is offered in two areas of specialization: Nutrition Education and Nutrition and Public Health.
With the importance of nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention and the widespread interest in the safety and sustainability of the food system, there is a need for highly qualified nutrition professionals who are able to develop appropriate policies and programs. The Nutrition and Public Health specialization focuses on leadership roles in colleges and universities and in government, community, health care, and public health agencies, carrying out a variety of tasks related to health promotion and disease prevention. These include community and individual nutritional assessment and evaluation; program planning and management; coalition building; participation in multidisciplinary health teams to provide programs to meet public needs; and conducting research and evaluation studies.
Program of Study
The general requirements for the Doctor of Education include a minimum of 90 graduate credits, of which at least 45 must be taken under Teachers College registration. Overall, students will be expected to develop competence in nutrition science, behavioral science, methods of empirical research and data analysis, critical thinking and analysis, and broad areas of scholarship, in addition to developing special skills and knowledge appropriate to their chosen degree in nutrition education or public health nutrition. Students will also be expected to pass a certification examination, usually after the completion of 60 points andResearch Seminar in Nutrition (HBSV 6550-6551), and to conduct original research that culminates in the production of a dissertation.
Students will be expected to take courses in the following categories:
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Major field and specialization: 50-60 points
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Research and evaluation: 12-18 points
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Broad and basic areas of professional scholarship: 15-24 points
The specific courses selected will depend on the student’s particular background, interests, and goals. In consultation with a faculty advisor, students should develop a program plan early in their course of study to provide a rational basis for their course selection. (Visit the website for the Program in Nutrition for more detailed descriptions of the doctoral degree requirements.)