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DrPH Nutrition

Applications are being accepted for Fall 2012.

The nutritional problems of today’s world differ from those of the past; however, the public health professional in the field still needs to utilize the basic ideas of disease prevention and the promotion of well being.

Who Should Enroll

The doctor of public health (DrPH) degree program in nutrition is designed for individuals seeking to acquire research and leadership capability in the growing area of public health nutrition. This will provide the advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies required to meet the increasing needs of public health nutrition in the areas of program management, leadership, and research. Individuals whose academic backgrounds include substantial graduate study in public health and/or the major field may be granted advanced standing. The number of units of coursework required to complete the program may be reduced accordingly. Refer to the University Catalog for specific degree requirements.

Learner Outcomes

Upon completion of this degree, the graduate should be able to:

1. Develop research questions into viable research projects, write a research proposal, and procure external funding to support research work.
2. Conduct research projects and contribute to the knowledge base in public health nutrition using critical thinking and analytical skills.
3. Disseminate knowledge acquired through research work and public health nutrition practice to the scientific and lay community through publications and presentations.
4. Participate in projects in different aspects of public health nutrition, including community nutrition, counseling, policy making, applied nutrition, and nutrition education.

COREQUISITES

(May be taken during first two quarters of program, in addition to units required for degree; advanced standing from previous MPH degree will be considered)

• ENVH 509 Principles of Environmental Health (3)
• EPDM 509 Principles of Epidemiology I (3)
• GLBH 524 Cultural Competence and Health Disparities (2)
• HADM 509 Principles of Health Policy and Management (3)
• HPRO 509 Principles of Health Behavior (3)
• HPRO 536 Program Planning and Evaluation (2)
• NUTR 509 Public Health Nutrition & Biology (3)
• PHCJ 605 Overview of Public Health (1)
• PHCJ 675 Integrated Public Health Capstone(2)

• NUTR 510 Advanced Public Health Nutrition (3)
• NUTR 517 Advanced Nutrition I: Carbohydrates and Lipids (4)
• NUTR 518 Advanced Nutrition II: Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals (4)
• NUTR 519 Phytochemicals (2)
• NUTR 525 Nutrition Policy, Programs, and Services (3)
• NUTR 527 Assessment of Nutritional Status (3)
• NUTR 534 Maternal and Child Nutrition (3)
• NUTR 543 Concepts in Nutritional Epidemiology (3)
• NUTR 564 Contemporary Issues of Vegetarian Diets (3)
• NUTR 608 Doctoral Seminar in Public Health Nutrition (3)

• NUTR 539 Research Methods in Nutrition (2)
• NUTR 685 Preliminary Research Experience (2)
• NUTR 694 Research (4-6)
• PHCJ 604 Research Seminar (2)
• STAT 514 Intermediate Statistics for Health-Science Data (3)
• STAT 515 Grants & Contract Writing(3)
• STAT 549 Analytical Applications of SPSS (2)
• STAT 564 Survey and Advanced Research Methods (3)
• Approved electives (4-6)

Chosen from allied areas such as public health, basic science or leadership and administration to enhance competence; minimum of (8) units must be from nutrition.

Graduate level: chosen from RELE (3), RELR (3) and RELT (3)

TOTAL UNITS (99 UNITS)

Admission Requirements

• A strong background and high academic performance in previous educational experiences
• A master’s degree in the major field or its equivalent, or a doctoral degree in a health-related field
• A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.2
• Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (taken within last 7 years)
• Recommendations indicating a student’s academic performance and leadership potential
• Previous work experience in the areas of nutrition or public health

Prerequisites

• Anatomy and physiology
• Behavioral science (one course)
• Advanced biochemistry (may be taken concurrently with the program)
• Quantitative proficiency
• A master�s degree in nutrition or a health professional degree at the doctoral level (MD, DDS or equivalent)

Academic Program Objectives

The doctor of public health (DrPH) degree program will provide the advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies required to meet the increasing needs of public health nutrition in the areas of program management, leadership, and research.

The program offers training for a career where advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required – teaching, research, consultation, and top-level administration.

Student research and the dissertation are key components in developing critical thinking related to public health nutrition.

Multidisciplinary Curriculum

The curriculum includes courses in nutrition, public health, administration, leadership, and research and evaluation. In addition, students select courses from allied fields to strengthen their knowledge base for the dissertation or for career development.

These courses may be taken in the School of Public Health or in another school. The program consists of approximately two years of coursework plus the research/dissertation.

Individuals whose academic backgrounds include substantial graduate study in public health and/or the major field may be granted advanced standing. The number of units of coursework required to complete the program may be reduced accordingly but is not to be less than 60 units and 12 dissertation units at Loma Linda University.

For specific degree requirements, refer to the University Catalog.

Research Emphasis

Doctoral research projects for this degree are primarily focused on the application of nutrition science in the community. Emphasis is on community nutrition issues, the relation of dietary practices to disease prevention, and the role of nutrition in promoting the health of communities and populations.

Clinical research experience is not necessary but is not excluded. Areas of community nutrition research may include nutrition and dietary assessment, nutrition education, nutritional epidemiology, and nutrition program evaluation.

Traditionally, research in the Department of Nutrition has focused on the roles plant-based dietary practices play in the health and disease status of individuals. Many of the faculty are actively conducting research this area.

Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health is the center for several large epidemiological studies of the health of Seventh-day Adventists, a low-risk population for chronic diseases. Data sets from these studies are available for research. Students are responsible for gaining the commitment of a faculty member to serve as their research mentor.

Teaching and Research Assistantships

A limited number of research and teaching assistantships are available. Students who are awarded assistantships may need to limit their academic loads to account for the time commitment required for their assistantship activities.

Contact Information - Department of Nutrition

Mailing Address:
Department of Nutrition
Nichol Hall 1102
Loma Linda, CA 92350

Website: www.llu.edu/llu/sph/nutrition
E-mail: nutritiondept@llu.edu
Phone: (909) 558-4598
Fax: (909) 558-4095

EXPLORE

• See SPH Programs starting on p. 722 of the University Catalog