Food Science and Human Nutrition, MS - Professional Science Master's
for the Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition: Professional Science Master's Concentration
On Campus: Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition, students are required to select a concentration:
Online: The focus of the online Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition is Food Science. Students are not required to select a concentration, an optional concentration is Clinical and Community Nutrition.
Research Areas
In addition to receiving training in the general field of food science or human nutrition, students have the opportunity to conduct research in the following areas of specialization:
- Food processing, engineering, and biotechnology
- Food ingredients, properties, and interactions
- Food microstructures, micro-carriers, and nanotechnology
- Food chemistry
- Food microbiology and biomass conversion
- Food safety and security
- Sensory sciences
- Dietary quality and food and nutrition patterns for optimal health
- Nutrition and disease interactions, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and gastrointestinal health
- Nutrition across the life span
- Biochemical and molecular nutrition
- Clinical nutrition
- Community nutrition
For additional information go to our website.
The PSM involves rigorous scientific training in the area of food science and/or human nutrition; additionally, instruction is provided in applied business knowledge and skills. This program is designed for those who seek careers in a science-based setting with significant managerial and leadership responsibilities. For additional information go to our website.
Admission
In addition to meeting the Graduate College admission requirements, a student planning to pursue a graduate degree in the department should have a baccalaureate degree in a recognized field of biological, physical, agricultural, or engineering science. Background deficiencies may be removed with graduate credit courses designed for this purpose. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are required of all applicants, and those whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS as evidence of English proficiency. See minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores. Students can be admitted to start in fall, spring, or summer semesters except for the PSM concentration, which admits fall semester only. For information on the role faculty have in the admissions process go to our website.
Internship in Dietetics
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition offers a dietetic internship for master's and doctoral students specializing in human nutrition. Completion of the degree and the internship qualifies the student to take the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. For information on our dietetic internship program please please contact Ms. Jessica Madson.
Online Program
A non-thesis Master of Science in Food Science program is offered via live, synchronous online sessions using distance education technology. The program ensures the same degree of excellence, and courses are instructed by the same faculty, as the on-campus non-thesis program. Courses are typically offered in the evening. For requirements and additional information, please contact Dr. Dawn Bohn.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Teaching is neither a Graduate College nor a FSHN requirement. A limited number of teaching assistantships are available to FSHN graduate students. Students are selected to be Graduate Teaching Assistants by the Department Head in consultation with the course instructor.
Financial Aid
Illinois PSM students may not hold assistantships or other tuition and fee waiver-generating appointments; statutory waivers and tuition scholarships are accepted. Financial aid for non-PSM graduate students is available in the form of fellowships, teaching and research assistantships, and tuition and partial fee waivers. Qualified candidates are considered for financial support upon application. Additional information on financial aid for graduate students is available on our website
for the Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition Professional Science Master's Concentration
For additional details and requirements refer to the department's graduate handbook and the Graduate College Handbook.
PSM Concentration Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Business courses prescribed by the Illinois PSM program | 10 | |
| PSM 501 | PSM Industry Seminar I | 0 |
| PSM 502 | PSM Industry Seminar II | 0 |
| PSM 503 | PSM Industry Seminar III | 0 |
| PSM 555 | PSM Internship | 0 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| See PSM concentration-specific course work | 24 | |
| FSHN 598 | Advanced Special Problems | 1 to 8 |
| or NUTR 593 | Individual Topics in Nutrition | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Other Requirements
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Other requirements may overlap | |
| The PSM concentration is required. | |
| Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: | 8 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: | 12 |
| A non-thesis degree requires an adivser. | |
| Additional courses may be required beyone the concentration minimum. | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Graduate Degree Programs in Food Science & Human Nutrition
Graduate Majors:
- Food Science & Human Nutrition, MS
- Food Science & Human Nutrition, PhD
- concentrations:
Joint Degree Program:
for the Master of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition: Professional Science Master's Concentration
department head: Nicki Engeseth
associate head of graduate programs: Michael Miller
overview of admissions & requirements: https://fshn.illinois.edu/graduate/apply
overview of grad college admissions & requirements: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply
department website: https://fshn.illinois.edu/
program website: https://fshn.illinois.edu/graduate/program-overview
department faculty: https://fshn.illinois.edu/directory/faculty/
college website: https://aces.illinois.edu/
address: 260 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801
phone: (217) 244-4498
email: FSHNGradAdmissions@illinois.edu