PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program Admissions Requirement
The PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program has three different tracks for perspective students; Animal Sciences, Food Science, and Human Nutrition.
Applicants to the PhD in Nutritional Sciences Program should have a BS or MS degree in nutrition, food science, animal science, or a closely related biological science, relative to the program track they are interested in pursuing.
Highly motivated students with other degrees may be considered if they have excellent academic backgrounds and demonstrated strength in the biological sciences. If admitted without sufficient preparation in these areas, these prerequisites must be made up early in the student’s program. The admissions committee will determine course deficiencies in an applicant’s background.
Course Requirements: Students should have a background that contains track-specific prerequisite knowledge:
Track 1: Human Nutrition- Studies related to human nutrition needs for individuals and populations
- Prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, math/statistics
Track 2: Food Science- Studies including food engineering, food microbiology and food chemistry
- Prerequisites: biochemistry, food microbiology, food processing, food chemistry, math/statistics
Track 3: Animal Sciences- Studies related to nutrition, metabolism, endocrinology, physiology of animals, including livestock and aquatic animals
- Prerequisites: anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition, math/statistics
Minimum grade point average of 3.4 out of 4.0 for applicants with a BS, and 3.6 out of 4.0 for applicants with a MS or other advanced degree
GRE® scores on the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytic writing sections should each be greater than the 50th percentile. GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
TOEFL® score of 600 on the paper-based test or 250 on the computer-based test or a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 100. ETS reports scores for two years after the test date.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score is accepted. The minimum required IELTS score is 7.0. IELTS scores have a recommended two year validity period.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) institutional code for University of Hawai‘i at Manoa is 4867. A department code is not necessary.
Completed Graduate Admissions Application – go to Apply Here.
Three letters of recommendation from people who know your academic strengths and can comment on your suitability for graduate studies. Letters of recommendation should be requested through the Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload Website https://documentupload.manoa.hawaii.edu/upload/#/login.
Original transcripts for academic institutions you have attended (even if you didn’t receive a degree). Transcripts should be mailed directly to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Office of Graduate Education at the address below. Do not send original transcripts to the graduate chair.
Graduate Division
2540 Maile Way
Spalding Hall 354
Honolulu, HI 96822
A personal resume.
A statement of purpose (<1000 words) that clearly describes:
(1) Why are you interested in nutrition?
(2) What type of nutrition research do you want to do?
(3) Why do you want to attend the University of Hawai‘i to achieve your goals?
You are also encouraged to provide other information you feel will be valuable for the review of your application.
The resume and personal statemement should be electronically uploaded using the Graduate Application Supplemental Documents Upload Website https://documentupload.manoa.hawaii.edu/upload/#/login.
For all other inquires and questions please email: Nutrphd@hawaii.edu
Applications will be reviewed starting February 1 for Fall admissions and September 1 for Spring admissions.