The Doctor of Philosophy degree program in Allied Health Sciences is designed to promote knowledge across disciplines and informed collaboration among disciplines while promoting research in an area of specialization. At this time, specialization is available in Nutritional Sciences, with emphases in obesity, diabetes, or cancer.
An internationally prominent faculty, state-of-the-art facilities and new technology combine to make the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center a leader in education, research and patient care. One of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation with seven professional schools, the OU Health Sciences Center serves approximately 4,000 students on the Oklahoma City and Tulsa campuses.
The OU Health Sciences Center serves as the state's training facility for physicians, biomedical scientists, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and a wide range of allied health and public health professionals. Located one mile south of the State Capitol, the OU Health Sciences Center is the cornerstone of the 300-acre Oklahoma Health Center, a complex of 30 public and private health care institutions.
Admission Requirements
Faculty and students work closely together in the PhD program; therefore, prior to submission of an on-line application, a prospective student must identify a faculty member whose expertise is in the applicant's area of interest, has authority to chair a PhD committee, and agrees to serve as the students advisor if admitted. Please contact the Department of Nutritional Sciences to determine compatibility of educational goals with the program.
Click here for a list of departments with links to faculty and their interests as well as research activities. To see if a potential advisor has the authority to chair a doctoral committee (level 4), click here and contact potential advisors.
• Contact the Department of Nutritional Sciences to determine compatibility of educational goals with the program.
• Click here for a list of faculty and their interests and research activities.
• To see if a potential advisor has the authority to chair a doctoral committee (level 4), click here.
• Contact potential advisors.
To be considered for admission to the PhD program after identifying a potential advisor, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in graded graduate coursework. The College of Allied Health does not recognize academic forgiveness nor reprieve policies. All attempts of a course are included in the calculation of GPAs;
- Completion of 34 credit hours of graduate coursework is preferred;
- A master's degree is preferred. The master's degree need not be in Nutritional Sciences. Each student's Advisory Committee reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of any graduate work previously completed by a student and may limit transfer credit. A maximum of 34 hours of master's degree work may be applied to the 90 hours required for the Ph.D. degree;
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended and non-refundable application fees;
- Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) -- the General Test includes a Writing Assessment. A combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 (new score scale) or 1000 (old score scale) and a writing score above 4.0 are preferred. The OUHSC institution code for the GRE is 6902;
- Submit a career goal statement, which includes a description of how the applicant expects the program to assist in meeting career goals. The admissions committee will consider the quality of the statement and the compatibility of the applicant’s career goals with those of the program;
- Provide contact information for three (3) individuals who will submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. Instructions are provided in the online application;
- If English is a second language, take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum requirements are a score of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) within two years prior to application. The OUHSC institution code for the TOEFL is 6902;
- All international/Non US Citizen applicants are required to have all transcripts/mark sheets from foreign institutions evaluated by World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE); and
- Submit a completed on-line application. Application deadlines are June 1 for fall, October 1 for spring, and March 1st for summer.
Students may expect additional costs that include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, textbooks, lab fees, insurance, and supplies. Students are required to assume financial responsibilities for expenses associated with clinical requirements. For financial aid information, contact the Financial Aid Office at (405) 271-2118.
Additional cost information:
Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees
Student Financial Aid
Students will conduct original research under the guidance and supervision of Allied Health faculty. The doctoral dissertation is required.
Prospective students are encouraged to visit the prospective student's page to utilize resources such as the transfer equivalency tables, admission statistics, job shadowing, gpa calculation, tuition cost, scholarships, student life, campus resources, etc.