Graduate
Graduate Programs
The Department of Food Science offers advanced degrees in different areas of specialization. Our faculty attracts more than $2 million annually through external grants from state, federal and industry sources to support their research programs.
Areas of Study: Food Chemistry and Functionality, Food Systems Engineering, Food Microbiology and Safety, Food for Health, and Sensory and Consumer Sciences.
Food science also participates in an online Food Safety Master's program housed in Bumpers College.
Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Food Systems Engineering; Food System Sustainability and Resilience; Food Chemistry and Functionality; Food Microbiology and Safety, Retail Food Safety, Ready-To-Eat and Low-Moisture Food Safety, Virology, and Enology; Sensory and Consumer Science, Consumer Testing, Behavior and Food Neuro Psychophysiology; Food for Health; Post-Harvest Technologies; New Value-Added Products and Process Development; Methodology and Assessment of Quality Attributes of Raw and Processed Foods; Food Processing and Packaging; Lipid, Protein, and Carbohydrate Chemistry; Functional Foods; Nutraceuticals; Human Nutrition and Chronic Diseases.
View Graduate Student Handbook View Graduate Courses View Graduate Forms
Admission Requirements
Applicants for graduate studies must meet entry requirements of the Graduate School and the Department of Food Science.
Food Science graduate application requirements:
- B.S. from accredited institution with GPA ≥3.00 (last 60 hours)
- M.S. from accredited institution with GPA ≥3.00
- GRE test scores:
- Recommended but not required
- Suitable preparation in Food Science or related areas
- International Students TOEFL score
- minimum: ≥79 internet-based/550 paper, ≥6.5 IELTS, ≥3.9 iTEP, PTA-A (Pearson) ≥58, and Cambridge Assessment ≥176
We accept GRE scores from either test, up to five years from the test date.
How to Apply
Complete the online application for graduate studies (M.S. or Ph.D.) and follow instructions to upload all required documents (transcripts, TOEFL, GRE, statement of purpose*, Graduate Assistantship application) to your Applicant Center in UA Connect. Please upload GRE score under Departmental Application form (FDSC).
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required as part of the application materials. Applicants will receive an email request from the Graduate School to provide the name and contact information for each reference. The Graduate School will contact the references with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation.
To be admitted and to maintain status as a graduate student, the appointment of a graduate faculty advisor is mandatory. The graduate advisor provides research materials, facilities, and guidance essential for conducting research that meets the requirments of the student's theses or dissertation portion of their degree program. The potential students are encouraged to contact faculty based on their research interests to serve as their advisor.
* The statement of purpose is a letter that describes who you are, your professional career goals, the reasons why you want to pursue a food science graduate degree and the area(s) of food science you wish to study.
Application Deadlines
- Summer/Fall: April 1
- Spring : October 1
Applications received after the deadline will be considered for admission based on departmental requirements and the availability of positions and funding.
Please submit your application to the Graduate School at least one month prior to the food science deadlines to allow time for processing.
The Review Process
The Graduate School will review applications to determine qualifications based on the Graduate School requirements. Applications are then forwarded to the Department of Food Science for review by the graduate program coordinator and faculty to determine acceptance based on departmental requirements and to determine the appropriate faculty advisor.
Funding Your Degree
Assistantships and Fellowships for M.S. and Ph.D. students are available on a competitive basis.
Doctoral Academy Fellowship
- $31,096 ($19,096 GA stipend plus $12,000 DAF) for up to 4 years
- Tuition waiver
- Qualifications:
- Entering M.S.: GPA > 3.65, GRE ≥ 4.0 writing score
- Entering B.S.: GPA > 3.5, GRE ≥ 4.0 writing score
Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship
- $41,096 ($19,096 GA stipend plus $22,000 DDF) for up to 4 years
- Tuition waiver
- Qualifications:
- Entering M.S.: GPA > 3.85, GRE ≥ 4.5 writing score
- Entering B.S.: GPA > 3.65, GRE ≥ 4.5 writing score
Ph.D. Assistantships
- ≥ $19,096 stipend
- Tuition waiver
- Qualifications: Master's GPA ≥3.0,
- ≥ $15,915 stipend
- Tuition waiver
- Qualifications: GPA ≥3.0,