MINIMUM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:  ​

A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nutrition or a closely nutrition-related field, with a GPA ≥3.0 out of 4.0

Prerequisite Courses
If an applicant does not have a previous degree in nutrition, minimum prerequisite course work would include:

• NHM 558: Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease,
• NHM 573: Advanced Vitamin and Mineral Metabolism, and
• NHM 572: Metabolism of Energy Nutrients.

These courses would need to be completed prior to beginning the PhD Nutrition Core coursework and would be applied towards completion of nutrition electives. 
Additionally, if a student is admitted without having previously completed a Master’s degree, they will need to complete NHM 509 – Research Methods in Nutrition. 

TEST SCORES 
​​GRE.  A minimum requirement for admission is a score of 300 or better on the GRE. 

•  If a student has previously completed a Master’s degree prior to beginning the Doctoral program and maintained a graduate GPA ≥3.5, their application will be considered without the need to submit a GRE score.
• Students who have previously completed a Master’s degree prior to beginning the Doctoral program with a graduate GPA of < 3.5 out of 4.0 may be considered for admission providing they also have a GRE score of ≥300. Upon admission, these students would need to receive permission to continue after the successful completion of 12 graduate hours.
• Students with a Bachelor’s degree only will need to submit GRE scores.

English-Language Proficiency

You must submit a copy of your English language proficiency score report at the time of application unless you meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. You hold a degree from an institution in a recognized English-speaking country.
2. You have been enrolled in coursework for at least two years in a recognized English-speaking country.
3. You are a citizen or legal resident of a recognized English-speaking country.

Scores must be fewer than two years old at the time of application. Some programs have higher English language proficiency score requirements. Please refer to the program portal for your academic program’s specific requirements. The University of Alabama Graduate School does accept super-scores (such as a TOEFL MyBest™ score).

Official English language proficiency scores, which must be sent directly from the testing agency to The Graduate School, will not be required until after admission.

Minimum Scores for Regular Admission

• TOEFL ≥ 79.
• IELTS ≥ 6.5.
• PTE ≥ 59.
• Duolingo English Test ≥ 105.

Before applying, please contact the Director of the PhD Program in Human Nutrition, Dr. Linda Knol at lknol@ches.ua.edu or (205) 348-8129.