Food Studies (PhD)

Department Website

Program Description

The food studies doctoral program at NYU is an interdisciplinary program of advanced study focusing on food as it intersects with society, culture, environment, health, history, and commerce. This highly selective program prepares students for positions in higher education, including teaching, research, and administrative positions; positions outside the academy, including public policy, government, for-profit and nonprofit private sector; and other positions in education, including secondary institutions seeking teachers with advanced degrees and adult learning communities. The program requires 48 units. Courses are chosen in consultation with an adviser.

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

• Résumé/CV
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Foundation Courses 1
Select four courses from the following list or other courses by advisement:		12
FOOD-GE 2017	Contemporary Food Sociology
FOOD-GE 2033	Food Systems
FOOD-GE 2191	Food and Culture
NUTR-GE 2215	Nutrition in Food Studies
FOOD-GE 2015	Food Policy
Research Methodology Courses
All students are required to take methodological courses by advisement in disciplines relevant to their research and dissertation projects		12
Proposal Seminar
RESCH-GE 3001	Dissertation Proposal Seminar	3
Department Doctoral Seminar
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar (taken 6 times for a total of 6 credits) 2	1
Specialization Requirements
Candidates will select these courses to reflect their specific interests, their research, and their dissertation project		15
Total Credits		48

¹

Students who have already earned a master’s degree in Food Studies or the equivalent are not required to take the foundation courses.

²

The seminar carries one credit per semester for the first six semesters of the program. However, students will be expected to actively participate in the seminar until they graduate. Students need to register for this course for either 0 or 1 credit every semester they are matriculated.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
Foundation Course 1		3
Foundation Course 2		3
Foundation Course 3		3
	Credits	10
2nd Semester/Term
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
Foundation Course 4		3
Methodology Elective 1		3
Specialization Elective 1		3
	Credits	10
3rd Semester/Term
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
Methodology Elective 2		3
Methodology Elective 3		3
Specialization Elective 2		3
	Credits	10
4th Semester/Term
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
Methodology Elective 4		3
Specialization Elective 3		3
Specialization Elective 4		3
	Credits	10
5th Semester/Term
RESCH-GE 3001	Dissertation Proposal Seminar	3
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
Specialization Elective 5		3
	Credits	7
6th Semester/Term
FOOD-GE 3400	Food Studies Doctoral Seminar	1
	Credits	1
	Total Credits	48

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Demonstrate mastery of body of knowledge in food studies.
2. Critically analyze, apply, and discuss the theories, methodologies, and critical issues in food studies.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication appropriate to the discipline.
4. Develop research questions and design effective research projects.
5. Teach and mentor college students.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Steinhardt Academic Policies

Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.