Food Science Master's Degree

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Additional Requirements

• You must reside within the U.S. or Canada to be eligible for admission to this program
• Must have completed the following pre-requisite courses:
  • biology, botany or zoology
  • microbiology
  • organic chemistry
  • biochemistry
  • statistics

Program-Specific Deadlines

• U.S. Applicants
  • Fall semester (begins in late August): Aug. 1
  • Spring semester (begins in late January): Dec. 7

• International Applicants (Canada only)
  • Fall semester (begins in late August): Jan. 8
  • Spring semester (begins in late January): Aug. 1

Additional Documentation
Your application must include the following:

• One- to two-page statement of objectives that describes why you want to pursue a graduate degree in food science at Kansas State University
  
  • Indicate 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 due to lack of specificity.
  • Indicate any prior contact you have had with faculty
  • Indicate faculty with whom you desire to work as a graduate student, if known
• Names and emails of three professional and/or academic references
• Official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Failure to list any colleges or universities from which the applicant received a degree or enrolled in graduate coursework may result in dismissal from the university.
  • If transcripts are not in English, the applicant must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
• COVID-19 Update: The GRE requirement has been suspended indefinitely for this program.

Many career opportunities are available to graduates of the food science master’s program, including in food manufacturing industries that produce fresh and processed meat and poultry, dairy products, bakery goods, frozen and canned fruits and vegetables, confections and snack foods. Career options are also available in:

• food safety and microbiology
• quality assurance
• processing and operations management
• technical service
• research and development
• sales and public relations

What courses will I take? Learn more about the courses in this program.

Master of Science Degree in Food Science

View an estimate of a student’s educational expenses for an academic year.