Career Outlook
Average Salary
$52,000
Projected Regional Growth
Average
Outcomes
  • Cognitive Performance Specialist
  • Researcher
  • Nutrition Specialist
  • Exercise Physiologist
  • Exercise Science Educator
  • Physical Health Policy Advocate
  • Exercise Physiology Research Scientist
  • Biomechanics Specialist

For individuals who

Want to gain advanced knowledge about energy systems, nutrient intake, behavior motivation and the physiology and mechanics of movement.

Looking for

The program that will advance your knowledge in research, teaching, grant writing and service.

To become

  • Professor of Science
  • Corporate Health & Fitness Screener
  • Senior Research Physiologist
  • Professor of Sports Science
  • Human Performance Analyst

Program Description

The Department of Health, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (HNES) offers a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) program in Exercise Science and Nutrition. Exercise Science and Nutrition are traditionally separate disciplines that strive to improve human health or human performance. Combined, the two form a strong and natural approach to improve well-being. Exercise Science and Nutrition includes the study of energy systems, nutrient intake, behavior motivation, and the physiology and mechanics of movement. Faculty are scholars in community nutrition, nutrition across the lifespan, clinical nutrition, exercise science, biomechanics, and physical activity and health.

Program Objectives

The purpose of the PhD program is to train doctoral students in Exercise Science and Nutrition for future careers in industry and academia. The program requires coursework and scholarly activities that will produce professionals with strong skills in research, teaching, grant writing, and service who will be competitive and productive in their careers. These professionals will have a strong understanding of both Exercise Science and Nutrition that will enable them to assume positions of leadership in research and teaching in community, government, university or other professional agencies and organizations.

Professional Knowledge. Students understand disciplinary content knowledge and apply such knowledge in the field of exercise science and/or nutrition.

Scientific Inquiry and Research Skills. Students understand modes of scientific inquiry and develop research skills to answer questions in the disciplines of exercise and/or nutrition.

Professionalism. Students gain leadership experiences and obtain career-oriented credential(s) in exercise science and/or nutrition.

Career Opportunities

A PhD in Exercise Science and Nutrition offers a wide array of career opportunities. Graduates of the program can expect to work for governmental and human service agencies, for-profit and not-for-profit research organizations, as well as in university-level education and research positions. A unique and attractive aspect to this degree is that it can prepare students to work in either nutrition or exercise science academic units upon graduation. Graduates of this program are equipped to meet the needs of changing regional, national, and global populations as related to their health and well-being.