PhD in Kinesiology and Nutrition

The mission of the PhD program in Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois Chicago is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become national and international leaders in research and scholarship in the broad fields of Kinesiology and Nutrition.

To that end, the program has three goals:

1. Train students in specific areas of Kinesiology and Nutrition, leading to an in-depth theoretical understanding and practical application of the relevant conceptual frameworks and experimental approaches.
2. Provide training in quantitative and qualitative research methods, as appropriate to each student’s area of investigation.
3. Support comprehensive training in professional skills, including responsible conduct of research and scientific writing.

By the time they graduate, students enrolled in the Kinesiology and Nutrition PhD program will be prepared to pursue career options in academia or industry that involve a range of competencies, which include but are not limited to:

1. Critically appraising the relevant scientific literature.
2. Formulating questions and hypotheses related to key scientific issues.
3. Generating research proposals that are competitive for funding.
4. Designing and implementing creative, transparent, rigorous, and ethical experimental approaches.
5. Quantitatively and/or qualitatively analyzing data.
6. Skillfully communicating scientific expertise orally and in writing for diverse audiences across a variety of settings, including the classroom.
7. Relating their specific project to wider issues, interpreting their work through the lens of social responsibility.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, so that students from diverse backgrounds, including those that have been traditionally underrepresented in Applied Health Sciences, can pursue excellence in a safe and nurturing environment. Our program commitment is embedded in the values and initiatives at the department, college, campus, and university levels.