Doctoral study in the Implementation Science in Community Nutrition concentration prepares the student for research, teaching, and/or advanced-level practice in institutions of higher education, government, or the public and private sectors.

Upon graduation, all nutrition graduate students pursuing a doctoral degree in Implementation Science in Community Nutrition should possess the following competencies:

• Demonstrate understanding of professional ethics;
• Assess and evaluate nutritional needs and problems of target populations;
• Communicate nutrition information to the public;
• Ability to write specific aims and a research strategy for a grant;
• Ability to read, interpret, synthesize, and apply nutrition research findings and evidence-based practice guidelines;
• Demonstrate comprehensive breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the science and profession of nutrition; the ability to interpret, critique and synthesize research literature in nutrition;
• Ability to apply comprehensive knowledge and understanding of research methodology in the field of nutrition; communicate and disseminate research findings; write specific aims and a research strategy for a grant proposal and to submit an application/grant proposal for research funding; and
• Ability to assume high-level administrative, teaching, or research duties in institutions of higher education and in industry, government or health agencies that require doctoral-level nutritionists.