M.S. in Nutrition and Food Science
Today’s interest in healthy lifestyles is translating into a remarkable range of career opportunities related to diet, fitness and health.
The M.S. program in nutrition and food science prepares students to pursue a wide variety of health-related careers through rigorous coursework. We provide a foundation of essential scientific methods, technical knowledge, practical skills and critical thinking.
Students choose to specialize in either food science or nutrition science. A dietetic internship may be available to those who have completed a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) before enrolling in our graduate program
Nutrition science specializes in laboratory research on nutrition.
Food science explores the nature of foods, food safety, and food processing.
All admitted students are assigned to the non-thesis track. To apply for the thesis track, students must be in good academic standing and have the support of graduate faculty after the first semester.
For exemplary master’s students, a bypass to the Ph.D. degree may be possible after the first year. Among other things, the decision is based on the student’s academic performance during the first year of study. A GRE score will be required for students applying to the doctoral program via bypass.
- An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work.
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university.
- A competitive GRE score; recommended score of above the 50th percentile (approximately 150) in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section. Please note that it can take up to ten (10) days after sitting for the GRE for an official score report to be sent to the university. A waiver for the GRE general test requirement for MS Nutrition and Food Science applicants has been extended through the fall 2026 admission cycle.
- International students: Applicants must submit an official English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTSTM Academic score of at least 6.5 is required. Our department does not accept other English proficiency examinations.
Attainment of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission decisions are based on assessments of all aspects of the student’s application materials. The department reserves the right to increase standards if warranted by enrollment limitations and by the number and quality of applicants. Financial aid is a separate process from the admission to a graduate program.
In order to be successful in the major, background knowledge in related sciences should be obtained. Students have the option to take the undergraduate courses prior to the start graduate program or as leveling courses during their graduate program. If electing to take these courses while in the graduate program (leveling courses), it may take additional time to complete the other degree requirements due to sequencing of classes.
Undergraduate courses recommended for the Master’s in Nutrition & Food Science program by specialization are:
Nutrition Science
Science of Nutrition (B- or better)
Anatomy & Physiology I + Lab (C+ or better)
Organic Chemistry I & II + Lab (C or better)
Survey of Biochemistry + Lab (C or better)
Metabolism of Nutrients I (C or better)
Metabolism of Nutrients II (C or better)
Food Science
Foods + Lab (C or better)
Food Science + Lab (C or better)
Organic Chemistry I & II + Lab (C or better)
Survey of Biochemistry + Lab (C or better)
Microbiology (C or better)
If you feel you have completed or are completing an equivalent course, please contact us.
All items below must be on file, and the fee paid, before an application is considered complete and ready for review. We encourage you to submit and complete your application early. The graduate admissions committee reviews completed applications throughout the open application period, which allows you to quickly receive an admissions decision.
- Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
- Once you have submitted your application:
- Upload a Statement of Purpose outlining your career goals. You must state whether you wish to pursue the food science or the nutrition science specialization. We want to know how your background and prior training make you the right candidate and why Florida State University is a good fit for you. If interested in research, we strongly encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the NIP faculty. For those that will meet DPD requirements prior to enrollment in our master’s degree program, clearly state whether you intend to separately apply to the dietetic internship.
- Upload a resume or vita (information should be current).
- Submit contact information for two recommenders. The recommenders should be professionals you have worked with who are familiar with your academic performance and can speak directly about your qualification for this degree. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
- Submit official GRE test scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required. A waiver for the GRE general test requirement for MS Nutrition and Food Science applicants has been extended through the fall 2026 admission cycle.
- International Students: Submit an official English Proficiency Score Report:
- TOEFL test scores electronically from ETS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The university’s reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- IELTS Academic test scores in physical (paper) form directly from IELTS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions at:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St. / 314 Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
USA - Submit official transcripts (with translations if necessary) to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. We require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended (even if those courses are posted to another institution’s transcript). Transcripts the applicant uploads to the application are considered unofficial.Please have official transcript sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions.Special Notice: Florida State University is requiring applicants from Nigeria and Ghana to obtain a World Education Service (WES) credential evaluation. This evaluation of official transcript(s) will then be directly sent to FSU.Send Electronic transcripts to: graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.Send Paper transcripts to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St. / 314 Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410
USAPlease allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the Office of Graduate Admissions to process your incoming materials.
For questions about the application process:
CHHS Office of Graduate Studies
nfes_gs@fsu.edu
850-644-1117
Deadlines
| Master’s program admission | Deadline | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | April 1 | |||
| Spring | October 1 | |||
| Summer | No admission | |||
This program admits in the fall and spring semesters only. All application materials must be received by the deadline posted and only complete applications will be reviewed.
Additionally, admission to the graduate program is term specific. If you decide to apply for a different semester or major, you will need to start a new application. If you are unable to attend the semester for which you were admitted, you will need to reapply for a future term.
| Master’s program admission for Dietetic Internship (DI) eligibility |
Deadline | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | December 15 | |||
| Spring | N/A | |||
| Summer | No admission | |||
Only students in qualifying FSU master’s degree programs may apply to the DI, which starts in the fall semester.
- All admissions application materials for the master’s degree program must be received by December 15 of the preceding year.
- Current students in this master’s degree program may also be eligible to apply to the DI starting the next fall.
All students interested in the DI must also 1) have a DPD statement and 2) apply to the Dietetic Internship. Please see DI application details here.
RDN Credentials
For students who wish to receive registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) credentials, the department offers a dietetic internship (DI). The internship is built into the M.S. curriculum and allows students to complete the program concurrently. Students that have completed the Didactic Program in Dietetics undergraduate courses may be eligible to apply.
Ph.D. in Nutrition and Food Science
Doctor of Philosophy, Human Sciences
Major: Nutrition and Food Science
Today’s interest in healthy lifestyles is translating into a remarkable range of career opportunities related to diet, fitness, and health.
The doctoral program in Human Sciences (Nutrition and Food Science major) prepares students to pursue careers in a wide variety of health-related careers as well as academia. It is a research intensive and competency-based program. Current research includes body composition, functional food, chronic disease and aging response, food allergy, and safety/quality detection methods.
Students choose to specialize in either food science or nutrition science.
- An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work. A professional degree is not counted for university GPA requirements.
- A master’s degree or post-baccalaureate professional degree from an accredited university.
- A competitive GRE General Test score; recommended score of above the 50th percentile (approximately 150) in both verbal and quantitative sections with a 4.0 or higher on the writing section. Please note that it can take up to ten (10) days after sitting for the GRE for an official score report to be sent to the university
- International students: Applicants must submit an official English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTSTM Academic score of at least 6.5 is required. The department recommends 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) TOEFL for a competitive application to the doctoral program. Our department does not accept other English proficiency examinations.
- A visit to the department is strongly encouraged. Please contact the College’s graduate office to schedule your visit. Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, you should directly contact graduate faculty members in your area of interest to see if they have room in their labs and are available to mentor you.
Attainment of these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission decisions are based on assessments of all aspects of the student’s application materials. The department reserves the right to increase standards if warranted by enrollment limitations and by the number and quality of applicants. Financial aid is a separate process from the admission to a graduate program.
A related degree is required and the completion of core coursework for the associated master’s degree program offered at FSU (or the equivalent) is highly recommended.
All items below must be on file, and the fee paid, before an application is considered complete and ready for review. We encourage you to submit and complete your application early. The graduate admissions committee reviews completed applications throughout the open application period, which allows you to quickly receive an admissions decision.
-
- Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
- Once you have submitted your application:
- Complete the Faculty Preference list, in order of preference, three faulty members with whom you would like to work with throughout your graduate program.
- Upload a Statement of Purpose outlining your research interests and career goals. You must state whether you wish to pursue the food science or the nutrition science specialization. We want to know how your background and prior training make you the right candidate and why Florida State University is a good fit for you. Please indicate up to three FSU faculty members with whom you would like to work and why. We strongly encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the NIP faculty.
- Upload a resume or vita (information should be current).
- Submit contact information for three recommenders. The recommenders should be professionals you have worked with who are familiar with your academic performance and can speak directly about your qualification for this degree. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
- Submit official GRE scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- International Students: Submit an official English Proficiency Score Report:
- TOEFL test scores electronically from ETS.org to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The university’s reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
- IELTS Academic test scores in physical (paper) form directly from IELTS.org to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S Copeland St / Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1410
USA - Submit official transcripts (with translations if necessary) to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. We require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended (even if those courses are posted to another institution’s transcript). Transcripts the applicant uploads to the application are considered unofficial. Please have official transcript sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions.
Special Notice: For Fall 2023, Florida State University is requiring applicants from Nigeria and Ghana to obtain a World Education Service (WES) credential evaluation. This evaluation of official transcript(s) will then be directly sent to FSU.
Send Electronic transcripts to: graduateadmissions@fsu.edu
Send Paper transcripts to:
Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St. / 314 Westcott Bldg
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410
USA
Please allow a minimum of ten (10) business days for the Office of Graduate Admissions to process your incoming materials.
For questions about the application process:
CHHS Office of Graduate Studies
nfes_gs@fsu.edu
850-644-1117
Deadlines
| Doctoral program admission application | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | April 1 | |
| Spring | October 1 | |
| Summer | No admission |
This program admits in the fall and spring semesters only. All application materials must be received by the deadline posted and only complete applications will be reviewed.
Additionally, admission to the graduate program is term specific. If you decide to apply for a different semester or major, you will need to start a new application. If you are unable to attend the semester for which you were admitted, you will need to reapply for a future term.
| For graduate teaching assistantship eligibility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | February 1 | |
| Spring | July 1 | |
| Summer | No admission |
In order to apply for a graduate teaching assistantship (TA), you must be a current doctoral student or have been formally admitted to the program.
Please see the TA application button in the finances tab on our Graduate Resources page.