All students must meet the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree
Overview
The Ph.D. in Food Systems combines a comprehensive investigation of food systems and a commitment to developing methods for solving the current problems of the food system through a cohort intensive experience. Every year, the food systems cohort will work together to address problems and devise potential solutions. Students then move towards disciplinary depth and mastery by designing a course of study with a dissertation committee and developing a research proposal. Students will also engage in independent research.
Specific Requirements
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO GRADUATE STUDIES FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
There are two ways for a potential Ph.D. candidate to pursue this program. First, a student with a BA/BS can apply to the Ph.D. program. Second, a student can apply to the PhD after completing an M.A. or M.S. in an allied field, either at the University of Vermont or at another institution.
Minimum requirements include:
- GPA of 3.00 or higher
- TOEFL or IELTS exam scores must be submitted if you are an international student.
- Completion of a college-level statistics course. If this information is not clearly listed on a college transcript, you will need to provide additional documentation as evidence that you have fulfilled this requirement.
- A letter of support from a Food Systems Faculty member who agrees to serve as primary advisor during enrollment in the PhD Program.
MINIMUM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
75 credits, including a minimum of 30 hours of graded coursework and 20 credits of supervised dissertation research.
| Required Courses: | ||
| FS 6400 | Food Systems & Society | 3 |
| FS 6450 | Food Systems & Science | 3 |
| FS 6475 | Food Systems & Policy | 3 |
| FS 6520 | Research Design Seminar | 3 |
| FS 7491 | Doctoral Dissertation Research | minimum of 20 credits |
| EDLP 7090 | Dissertation Writing Seminar | 1-3 |
| or FS 6600 | Dissertation Writing Seminar | |
| Students must also take a minimum of 9 credits of methodology coursework in consultation with advisor that represent a variety of methodological and research design approaches, such as FS 6350, CDAE 6510, EDRM 6310, and CSYS 6020. Consult with advisor for complete list. | ||
| Students must also take FS 6810 - Issues and Solutions Seminar 2 times during their course of study. This is a 1-credit seminar. | 2 | |
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION
The comprehensive examination is a tool to evaluate the progress of each student and ensure that they are prepared to proceed toward the doctorate degree.
Phase 1 is an oral exam that tests the student’s ability to read, analyze and synthesize scholarly knowledge across disciplines as well as to design a research-based response to a specific food systems issue or problem.
Phase 2 includes two steps: a dissertation pre-proposal and proposal submission. The form, content and timeline will be explained to the student by their advisor and will follow guidelines set forth by the Student Development & Evaluation Committee, in collaboration with the student’s dissertation committee.
REQUIREMENTS FOR ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Maintain a 3.00 GPA in designated first and second year courses and successful completion of the comprehensive exam.