Master of Science
The Distance Food Science Master's Degree is a competitive program offered to degree holding food industry professionals that meet the prerequisites. The program is not an entitlement because you have paid the tuition and fees. This is an advanced degree program that provides additional educational training for those in the food industry. All applications go through a rigorous process in which only qualified applicants are selected for the program. Thus, not everyone who applies is accepted.
Non-Thesis Option
A minimum of 34 credit hours with 20 core credits and at least 18 hours at 700 level are required. The core courses as outlined below are to ensure that the student possesses the critical graduate level food science knowledge and communication skills required.
In addition to completion of course work a final oral examination is administered on campus (Manhattan) the semester of graduation. This exam includes a public scientific presentation on a relevant topic followed by an oral examination by the student's graduate committee. This process is further described in Planning for the Final Oral Examination - non-thesis option (PDF).
| Course # | Description |
Credit |
| ENGL 758 | Scientific Communication | 3 |
| FDSCI 600 | Food Microbiology | 2 |
| FDSCI 690 | Principles of HACCP | 2 |
| FDSCI 695 | Quality Assurance of Food Products | 3 |
| FDSCI 725 | Food Analysis | 3 |
| FDSCI 815 | Advanced Food Chemistry | 3 |
| FDSCI 850 | Graduate Seminar/Food Science | 1 |
| STATS 703 | Statistical Methods for Natural Scientists | 3 |
| TOTAL CORE COURSES | 20 |
Report option
A Food Science Master's degree, report option requires 28 hours of course work. A
bachelor's degree is required for entry into the program and the program requirements and application procedures are the same as for the on-campus graduate program. A written master's
report is required and counts for 2 hours of graduate credit. In addition to the Master's
report, a final presentation and oral examination is administered on campus (Manhattan,
Kansas) during the semester of anticipated graduation. The process is further described
in Planning for the Final Oral Examination - Report/Thesis option (PDF).
Thesis option
The Distance Food Science Master's degree program is a report option. If an individual would like to pursue a thesis option, the student must petition
the committee with appropriate justification. Please contact the Graduate Food Science
Program Chair for details. Contact information is above right.
A thesis involving a research project is required and counts for 6 hours of graduate credit. In addition to the Master's thesis, a final presentation and oral examination is administered on campus (Manhattan, Kansas) during the semester of anticipated graduation. This exam includes a public scientific presentation on a relevant topic followed by an oral examination by the student's graduate committee.
An administrative fee of $500 per term (three terms per year), from start to finish of the degree requirements, is charged in addition to the cost of courses taken. The $500 fee is paid each term regardless of the number of credit hours taken. If the fee is not paid, the student is dropped from the program and must reapply to continue.
A student enrolled in three credit hours per term (fall, spring and summer) or nine credits per year may complete the Masters of Science degree programs (report or thesis) in approximately 10 terms (3.5 years). The graduate school regulations state that a Masters of Science degree must be completed in a maximum of seven years. With this format of fee assessment, students are encouraged to proceed as rapidly as possible to allow servicing the maximum number of qualified students.
Course Information
For a list and description of courses offered, see the Distance Education Food Science
Graduate Distance Courses listing (PDF).
For available courses by semester, description, and cost, see the Division of Continuing Education Course Offerings.
Professional Development
Would you like to receive periodic updates via e-mail and mail about upcoming Food Science professional development and university courses? Sign up today!
