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Food Science Master of Science - Online
The online Food Science Master's Degree is a competitive program offered to degree holding food industry professionals that meet the prerequisites. The online Food Science Master's degree is a Course-work Only option (non-theses/non-report). In select situations, students may be allowed to pursue the report or thesis options.
All graduate degree programs operate under guidelines developed by the K-State Graduate Council. Not all requirements are covered here and students are encouraged to consult the Graduate Handbook when planning their program. Note that all degree options require at least 18 credits of the courses to be at the 700 level or above.
Admission Requirements
Requirement of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores has been suspended indefinitely.
Must meet entrance requirements of the K-State Graduate School, which include:
- A Bachelor of Science degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework.
- English proficiency requirements (for applicants whose native language is not English): minimum score of 79 for iBT TOEFL (internet based), 550 for TOEFL (PBT), 6.5 for IELTS, or 58 for Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Must have completed the following pre-requisite courses:
- Biology, Botany, or Zoology
- Physics
- Microbiology
- Organic chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Calculus
- Statistics
Must provide:
- English proficiency scores (for applicants whose native language is not English)
Must reside within the U.S. or Canada.
- Currently, only students who reside within the United States or Canada are eligible for admission into the Food Science Online Graduate program.
Application Materials and How to Apply
Requirement of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores has been suspended indefinitely.
To apply, complete the online application process via the Graduate School website. Note that a non-refundable application fee will apply. You will be required to submit the following materials as part of the application process:
- Transcript of all previous college work (student copies preferred.) Once accepted the graduate school will request official copies.
- Three letters of recommendation (see note below).
- A brief statement of objectives (see note below).
- English proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS) – for applicants whose native language is not English
SUBMIT ALL DOCUMENTS THROUGH THE ONLINE APPLICATION—DO NOT MAIL ANY DOCUMENTS.
- For the three letters of recommendation, ideally include representation from both academic and professional (i.e., employer) references.
Brief statement of objectives:
- One to two pages is sufficient.
- Describe why you want to pursue a graduate degree in Food Science at Kansas State University.
- Indicate your general area of interest (i.e., food chemistry, food microbiology, cereals, meat science, sensory analysis, etc.). This allows the application to be directed to the appropriate faculty. Terms such as "food processing" and "food technology" are too general and may result in rejection because of lack of specificity.
- Indicate any prior contact you have had with faculty.
- Indicate faculty you desire to work with as a graduate student, if known.
Application Deadlines
Applications, with all required supporting materials included, must be received by the deadlines below. Incomplete or late applications will not be processed. Currently, only students who reside within the United States or Canada are eligible for admission into the Food Science Online Graduate program.
To be admitted for FALL (classes begin in August):
- Domestic Students apply by August 1
To be admitted for SPRING (classes begin in January):
- Domestic Students apply by December 7
Application Review Process
Your application materials will first be reviewed by an admission committee composed of the Food Science graduate faculty. If your application is accepted for admission to the program, a graduate faculty member willing to serve as your major professor must be identified prior to forwarding your credentials to the graduate school. The Graduate School must then review your official transcripts, verify that you have a valid degree from an accredited institution, and determine official approval into the graduate program. Please allow at least 8 weeks from the application deadline for processing of your application materials.
Tuition and Fees
The current tuition and fee schedule for online courses is available at the link below. Refer to the "Global Campus Schedule" under the heading for "Manhattan Campus."
http://www.k-state.edu/finsvcs/cashiers/costs/
In addition to the cost of tuition and fees associated with course enrollment, an administrative fee of $500 per semester is assessed each semester from start to finish of the degree requirements (total of three semesters per academic year: fall, spring, and summer). The $500 fee is assessed each semester regardless of the number of credit hours in which you are enrolled. If the fee is not paid, the student is dropped from the program and must reapply to continue.
Course Information
For a list and description of courses offered, see the Food Science Graduate Online Courses listing (PDF).
For available courses by semester, description, and cost, see the Course Offerings.
Online Master's Degree Options
Course-work Only Option (Non-Thesis/Non-Report Option)
A minimum of 34 credit hours with 20-22 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.
Non-Thesis (course-work only) option:
Minimum of 34 credit hours. 20-22 core credits.
At least 18 hours at 700 level.
The core courses as outlined below are to ensure that the student possesses the critical graduate level food science knowledge and communication skills required.
Core Courses (20-22 credit hours):
Block A- Required Core Courses (12 credit hours):
ENGL 758 - Scientific Writing Credits: 3
FDSCI 600 - Food Microbiology Credits: (2)
FDSCI 815 - Advanced Food Chemistry Credits: (3)
FDSCI 850 - Food Science Graduate Seminar Credits: (1)
STAT 705 - Regression and Analysis of Variance Credits: (3)
Block B- Must take at least 3 out of 5 courses listed below (8-10 credit hours):
FNDH 701 - Sensory Analysis Credits: (3)
FDSCI 690 - Principles of HACCP and HARPC Credits: (3)
FDSCI 695 - Quality Assurance of Food Products Credits: (3)
FDSCI 725 - Food Analysis Credits: (3)
FDSCI 740 - Research and Development of Food Products Credits: (4)
Total core courses: 20 credits minimum
Elective courses (12 -14 credit hours)
* May include courses from Block B
Note - It is possible that a student may already have taken one or more of these courses or their equivalent on another degree. Therefore, the graduate advisory committee will determine course substitutions as needed.
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.
Report Option
Permission from the major professor and committee members is required to pursue this option. A Food Science Master's degree, report option, requires 28 hours of course work. A publication-ready 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.
Thesis Option
The online Food Science Master's degree program is a course-work only 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.
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.
Visit with Dr. Smith!
Dr. J. Scott Smith is our Graduate program chair.
For more information
Nicole Marple
Program Assistant
Food Science Institute
216 Call Hall
1530 Mid-Campus Drive North
Manhattan, KS 66506
Phone : 785-532-4057
Email