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.

• Admission Requirements
• Competency
• Application Process
• Contact

Admission Requirements

If you meet the below requirements, we encourage you to apply to the program.

1. An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work.
2. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited university. Questions about degree equivalency should be directed to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.
3. The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to our departmental programs through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) and submit scores. We recommend a 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.
4. International students: Applicants must submit an English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTS TM 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.

Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, please carefully review the required documentation on the Application Process tab.

Competency

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.

Application Process

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 receive an admissions decision more quickly.

1. Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
2. 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 (FSU) is a good fit for you. If interested in research, we strongly encourage applicants to familiarize themselves with the research interests of the HNFS 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. Please list a work/business email address for each recommender. Academic recommendations are preferred, but relevant professional recommendations will be accepted. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
   • The GRE general test requirement is waived for MS applicants to the Nutrition and Food Science major through the fall 2026 admission cycle. Master’s applicants may choose to submit GRE test scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
3. Submit transcripts to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. Even if courses are posted to another institution’s transcript, we require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended. Please have transcripts sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are a domestic student that attended an institution outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide a credential evaluation for that transcript (please see below regarding credentialing).

Send paper transcripts to: Florida State University
Office of Graduate Admissions
222 S. Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg.
Tallahassee FL 32306-1410

International Students:

1. Submit an 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
  1. Florida State University (FSU) requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for all applicants who have taken courses at non-U.S. institutions. International and domestic applicants must submit their official transcripts from international institutions through a NACES-approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. This link is found in the application checklist. Please also see the “Transcript Requirement” section on the Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on university transcript requirements for graduate students.

  Please allow the Office of Graduate Admissions time to process your incoming materials.

  Contact

  For questions about the application process:

  CEHHS Office of Academic Services and Intern Support – HNFS Grad Admissions
  HNFS-grad@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	November 1
  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 November 1 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.

  • Admission Requirements
  • Prerequisites
  • Application Process
  • Contact

  Admission Requirements

  If you meet the below requirements, we encourage you to apply to the program.

  1. An upper-division undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The same scale applies for graduate-level work.
  2. A bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, or post-baccalaureate professional degree, from an accredited university. Questions about degree equivalency should be directed to graduateadmissions@fsu.edu.
  3. The GRE general test requirement is waived for applicants to the HNFS doctoral programs starting in Fall 2025. Doctoral applicants may choose to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) and submit scores. If other components of your application are not as strong, a competitive GRE score may bolster your application, as applications are reviewed holistically. GRE scores may also be required for some scholarships. We recommend a 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.
  4. International students: Applicants must submit an English Proficiency Score Report. A TOEFL iBT® score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper-delivered) or an IELTS TM 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.
  5. A visit to the department is strongly encouraged. Please contact the HNFS Graduate Admissions Representative to schedule your visit. Also, applicants should directly contact graduate faculty member(s) in their area of interest to see if he/she is accepting new students.

  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. Other requirements, outside of the admissions application, may be required to qualify for an assistantship.

  Before you submit your online application and pay the application fee, please carefully review the required documentation on the Application Process tab.

  Prerequisites

  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.

  Application Process

  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 receive an admissions decision more quickly.

  1. Apply Online, submit the admissions application and pay the application fee.
  2. 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 (FSU) 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 HNFS 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. Please list a work/business email address for each recommender. No personal recommendations or letters from peers will be accepted.
     • The Graduate Record Examination General Test (GRE) general test requirement is waived for applicants to the HNFS doctoral programs starting in Fall 2025. Doctoral applicants may choose to take the GRE and submit scores to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. The school reporting code for test scores is 5219; no department code is required.
  3. Submit transcripts to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. (Even if courses are posted to another to another institution’s transcript, we require transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution you attended). Please have transcripts sent directly from your institution to the FSU Office of Graduate Admissions. If you are a domestic student that attended an institution outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide a credential evaluation for that transcript (please see below regarding credentialing).

  Send paper transcripts to:
  Florida State University
  Office of Graduate Admissions
  222 S. Copeland St., 314 Westcott Bldg
  Tallahassee FL 32306-1410
  USA

  1. Submit an 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

  2. Florida State University (FSU) requires a course-by-course credential evaluation for all applicants who have taken courses at non-U.S. institutions. International and domestic applicants must submit their official transcripts from international institutions through a NACES-approved evaluator. SpanTran has created a custom application for FSU that will make sure you select the right kind of evaluation at a discounted rate. This link is found in the application checklist. Please also see the “Transcript Requirement” section on the Graduate School website, https://gradschool.fsu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions, for detailed information on university transcript requirements for graduate students.

  Please allow the Office of Graduate Admissions time to process your incoming materials.