The application of scientific principles to maintain and create a wholesome food supply is known as Food Science. Individuals interested in the application of principles of processing technology, consumer issues, microbiology, and the production of safe, high-quality, and wholesome foods should consider pursuing a master’s in food science online. An online food science master’s teaches about the primary disciplines of chemistry, biology, and engineering and how to apply them to food systems. It also gives specialized training in a particular area of expertise. Graduates of master’s in food science online degrees can work in numerous roles such as food chemists, sensory scientists, quality control supervisors, food processing and packaging design engineers, and more. This guide analyses the curriculum, career prospects, specializations, and various other aspects of the master’s in food science online degree program.
Before starting the application process for online master’s in food science degree programs, it is crucial to choose universities that are ranked best in terms of experience and teaching of the faculty, reputation, quality, support services, infrastructure, funding opportunities, accreditation, and so on. Students should also ensure that the selected institution aligns with their objectives and interests. Here is the list of the best master’s in food science programs online from which to choose:
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824 | $19,714 | 82% |
#2 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 601 E John Street, Champaign, Illinois 61820 | $14,635 | 85% |
#3 Kansas State University 919 Mid-Campus Drive, Anderson Hall, Manhattan, Kansas 66506 | $10,294 | 68% |
#4 Johns Hopkins University 3400 N Charles St, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 | $58,720 | 95% |
#5 Arizona State University Campus Immersion University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287 | $11,720 | 66% |
#6 Rutgers University-New Brunswick 83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 | $18,180 | 84% |
#7 Utah State University Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322 | $6,534 | 56% |
#8 University of Arkansas Administration Bldg 425, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 | $7,875 | 70% |
#9 Texas A&M University JKW Administration Building, Suite 200, College Station, Texas 77843 | $6,885 | 83% |
#10 University of Florida Tigert Hall, Gainesville, Florida 32611 | $10,770 | 91% |
#11 The Pennsylvania State University 201 Old Main, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802 | $23,189 | 72% |
#12 Indiana University of Pennsylvania 1011 South Dr 201 Sutton Hall, Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705 | $9,288 | 56% |
#13 New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, New York 10012 | $35,982 | 87% |
#14 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University(ON-CAMPUS) 210 Burruss Hall, 800 Drillfield Dr., Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 | $14,098 | 87% |
#15 Colorado State University(ON-CAMPUS) 102 Administration Building, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 | $10,834 | 69% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
Master’s in food science online programs provide students with the knowledge of the application of engineering and science principles to the practical and theoretical aspects of the entire food chain. This graduate-level degree program is offered in offline and online learning modes. Some colleges offer it as a hybrid program, blending online classes with on-campus ones. While the offline mode is best suited for students who can dedicate most of their time to studies and spend time on campus, the online or hybrid modes are best for those working full-time and who want to balance their professional and personal lives.
The food science degree program requires students to take 34 to 40 credits of coursework to complete it. Various areas of specialization are available for students to choose from within the program, which matches their professional interests. The online food science degree program typically offers a thesis and non-thesis track. While the thesis track is suitable for those who intend to pursue their doctoral studies, the non-thesis option is best suited for students who want to gain advanced practical skills instead of carrying out a research project in the final year of their master’s program.
There are three types of online master’s in food science programs – the Master of Arts in Food Science, the Master of Science in Food Science, and the Masters of Food Science (MFS).
The master of arts in food science or MA food science is directed more towards research and is focused on liberal arts and humanities subjects. With a theoretical approach to the subject, students intending to pursue a Ph.D. degree can opt for the MA program.
The master of science in food science or MS food science is oriented more towards a scientific viewpoint. The MS program also involves a fair amount of research but focuses more on gaining practical skills.
The master of food science or MFS degree is a course-based master’s designed for professionals already working in the field of food science but want to enhance their knowledge and skills. The MFS degree is also suitable for students who do not have an undergraduate degree in food science but have a related bachelor’s degree.
Specialization helps an individual become more efficient in a particular area of expertise. It helps to enhance one’s career prospects and increase their income potential. Students can optimize their skills by specializing in a specific area in food science. Students can specialize in several topics within the food science master’s degree. Some such food science concentrations are:
Area of Specialization | Description |
---|---|
Muscle Food Science | This program focuses on the biochemical and chemical aspects of further processing aquatic muscle, poultry, and livestock. Some of the research areas in this program are cooked color defect, meat packaging, myoglobin and lipid oxidation, and more. |
Food Safety | This program provides the necessary training and knowledge to enter the regulatory agencies and the global food industries. Food microbiology, food safety policy, and the impact of food safety regulations are some research areas in this program. |
Food Engineering | This program helps students become the highest quality leading suppliers of research, technology, and development transfer services to the agricultural and food product industries. |
Agribusiness Economics | This program focuses on fiber processors through intensive and constant review of changes in both markets and industry characteristics. |
Food Technology | The objective of this program is the core of food technology, such as product design, ingredient functionality, and sustainable food processes engineering. |
Food and Vegetable Postharvest Physiology and Processing | This program aims to help the processors and producers of horticultural products provide nutrients and convenient and delicious food products to consumers everywhere. Some of the research areas in this program are the recovery of capsaicinoids in peppers, assessing food safety risks in ready-to-eat fresh-cut vegetable products, uses and recovery of lycopene from watermelon tissue, etc. |
Food Microbiology | This specialization teaches about modern and classical food microbiology, including spoilage and food safety, food biotechnology, hygienic production of food, food fermentation, and so on. |
Food and Nutrition | This program teaches students about the science of healthy food and nutrition. It focuses on several vital aspects of safety practices, food science, planning, purchasing, preparing, standards, story, quality control, and more. |
Food Science | This specialization focuses on the basic sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology and the interaction with a wide variety of scientific disciplines such as nutrition, microbiology, process engineering, biochemistry, and biotechnology. |
Food Business and Management | This program deals with the techniques involved in processing, storage, food product manufacturing, distribution, labeling, packaging, and quality control. |
Fermentation Science | This program emphasizes the skills and experience to prepare professionals to create end products in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and water treatment industries. |
Some of the other specialization areas in food science include but are not limited to:
The online master’s in food science program focuses on food microbiology, food chemistry, food safety, food processing, sensory analysis, and food engineering. Students will have to take mandatory core courses and choose electives as a part of their coursework. Some of these food science courses are:
The master’s in food science provides students with theoretical and practical knowledge to work in the field of food science. Some of the skills gained by students from the food science master’s program include their ability to:
To maintain the standards of educational quality, institutions go through a strict evaluation process known as accreditation. Accreditation signifies that colleges and universities in the United States have met the expected education standards. Prospective students should be aware of accredited food science colleges and apply only to those having this status. Colleges may be nationally or regionally accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or both. The six regional agencies that accredit universities are:
For more information on accreditation for universities and programs, read the Accreditation Guide.
Master’s in food science online programs are available full-time and part-time. While full-time graduate students will have to complete their degree programs within 2 years, part-time students will have a more flexible schedule and can complete their degree programs in 3 to 5 years while balancing their work, studies, and personal life. Of course, the coursework, specialization, capstone or thesis requirement, and other factors will affect the timeline of this typically 34 to 40- credit program.
Prospective students must go through the admission requirements at their chosen college before applying to a master’s in food science online program. The requirements for food science masters are mostly the same across all the universities. However, some universities might have specific requirements that students need to meet as a part of their application process. Here are some of the common and standard master’s in food and science admission requirements:
In most instances, before applying to graduate school, students must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit their test scores while applying to a master’s program. Although these scores are a mandatory requirement in the application process at most colleges, some institutions waive this requirement. For example, the IOWA State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oregon State University offer online master’s in food science no GRE programs.
Accelerated master’s in food science programs can be completed in less than two years. Students can obtain their degrees faster by choosing fast-track programs and transfer credits to shorten the duration of their programs. Moreover, accelerated degrees cost less than the typical master’s degree. Some universities offer integrated programs combining bachelor’s and master’s degrees, which can be completed in 5 years instead of the usual 6 years. The University of Vermont and The University of Rhode Island are examples of universities that allow students to complete their nutrition and food science bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 5 years.
The duration of accelerated online masters in game design can be customized in some instances but generally takes about 1 year to complete. Candidates who have done extensive coursework in an area of specialization that aligns with game design and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their bachelor’s are eligible to apply for such options. The subjects studied in the bachelor’s degree compensate for the concepts that are either speeded or waived from the master’s curriculum. An example of a fast track program is the MA in Game Design – One-year Fast track option from Lindenwood University.
Free courses do not lead to a master’s degree and are not accredited. There are no free online master’s in food science programs available. But there are some free short courses in food science which can give some additional information and an overview on a specific topic in food science. These courses can be helpful to students in their assignments and projects. Here are some free food science online courses:
Course | Provided by | Description |
---|---|---|
Various Topics on Food Science | Coursera | Coursera offers courses on various topics related to food science, such as introduction to food and health, dairy production and management, and more. |
Various Topics on Food Science | edX | Several free food science courses are offered by edX from well-known universities. Topics include an introduction to food and health, nutrition, exercise, and sports, the science of beer, etc. |
Processing Technologies | Alison | Alison offers a free course on processing technologies such as food radiation, heating, microwave, etc. |
The cost of a master’s program varies between universities, programs, and locations. But students studying for their master’s online can save on travel and accommodation expenses. The main expense of online students is the tuition fee, course materials, technology fee, and distance learning fee. There are several financial aids that students can consider for funding their master’s program. Some of the funding options for master’s in food science online programs are:
Scholarships are one of the popular funding possibilities among students. They are given based on the student’s academic achievements and are funded by universities, public and private institutions, or commercial organizations. Students must beware of Scholarship Scams that do the rounds online.
A graduate assistantship is a part-time employment opportunity for graduate students. Students can work and study simultaneously, working as assistants for professors by demonstrating and teaching undergraduate students. They are provided a stipend for this work. One can also work as an assistant in a lab by taking up a research assistantship
Prospective graduate students can fill out the FAFSA or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form to determine their eligibility for financial aid.
Find out about how to fund a master’s degree program by reading the Financial Aid Guide.
Students with an excellent academic record can apply for graduate scholarships. Associations, universities, and external organizations offer scholarships to students after determining their eligibility based on academic strengths. Some of the scholarships for master’s in food science online programs are:
Feeding Tomorrow of the Institute of Food Technologists offers annual scholarships to students pursuing a graduate degree in various disciplines within food science.
Award/Amount
Varies
Application Deadline
TBA
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation offers scholarships to graduate students majoring in dietetics and nutrition.
Award/Amount
$500-25,000
Application Deadline
TBA
The Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences awards various scholarships to food science department students, such as the Andrews Family Scholarship, Edwin M. Wagner Memorial Scholarship, Forbes Chocolate Leadership Scholarship, Haas Family Scholarship, Maurice Weisl Award Fund, and more.
Award/Amount
Varies
Application Deadline
December 01, annually
The FMI foundation offers scholarships to students majoring in food and agricultural science who are strongly interested in the field of accredited food safety auditing.
Award/Amount
$3,000
Application Deadline
September 09, 2023
The application of food science to the preservation, distribution, selection, and use of safe food, processing and packaging is known as food science technology. Nutrition, quality control, biotechnology, food safety management and engineering are some fields related to food science technology.
A master’s in food science is designed for individuals at a graduate level who want to expand and advance their skills and knowledge in their current area of expertise and food science. It will allow students to analyze problems in food science and gain a strong understanding of the various aspects of food science.
Graduates of food science master’s can work as food scientists in different areas of food science. Some of the work settings food scientists can work in are:
Including Food Scientists, there are various other job profiles for food science graduates. Some of the job titles for food science professionals are:
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), agricultural and food scientists have a median annual salary of $74,160 with a job outlook of 9% between 2020 and 2030. The following list highlights the statistical data of some typical job positions in the field of food science:
Occupation | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2030) | Job Description |
---|---|---|---|
Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,650 | 11% (faster than average) | Dietitians and nutritionists conduct and plan nutritional or food service programs to help people have a healthy lifestyle. |
Food Service Managers | $59,440 | 15% (faster than average) | Food service managers oversee and manage the daily operation of restaurants and other establishments that serve and prepare beverages and food. |
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists and Technicians | $74,870 | 7% (as fast as average) | Occupational health and safety specialists evaluate the health and safety of different workplaces. They also develop training and employee safety programs while ensuring food is prepared with hygiene and cleanliness as priorities. |
Agricultural and Food Scientists | $74,160 | 9% (as fast as average) | Agricultural and food scientists research to improve the efficiency and safety of agricultural enterprises and products and preserve and extend the nation’s food supply. |
An excellent way to increase one’s job prospects and income potential in a particular subject is by being professionally certified. Certifications also help gain additional knowledge in specific subjects and enhance one’s career opportunities. Some of the certifications for online master’s food science students are:
Additional resources help food science professionals stay up to date with the latest changes and advancements that take place in the field of food science. They help gain better exposure and a broader perspective on the subject. Attending seminars and workshops, joining organizations, staying up to date with journals and publications, and connecting with peers are some ways of staying relevant in the field. Some of the additional resources for master’s in food science online professionals are:
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