Important Information for Applicants for Graduate Study in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN)
Michigan State University (MSU)

Applications for admission into our graduate programs are reviewed each month at a meeting of our graduate faculty. Minimum guidelines for admission are a 3.0 GPA in the third and fourth years of undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 in an appropriate MS program, if applicable, and competitive Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores (approximately 1500 minimum combined score; verbal + quantitative + analytical). Letters of recommendation and previous work experience are also weighed in the application review process. If an applicant meets our minimum academic guidelines, one professor in FSHN must agree to act as major advisor for the student to be admitted. Therefore, not all qualified applicants can be admitted. Because of a recent change in policy, outstanding candidates may apply directly for the PhD program if they have obtained a BS degree. Decisions about direct admission into the PhD program will be made by the graduate faculty at the monthly admission review meetings.

Over 80% of the graduate students in FSHN currently are receiving financial aid which comes primarily from one of three sources: 1) Departmental assistantships (teaching and research) and fellowships; 2) grant support from individual professors; 3) funding from sources external to MSU (government, foundation, and other funding sources).

All applicants admitted to our graduate program are automatically considered for Departmental assistantships and fellowships which are assigned on a competitive basis. Each year about 8-10 Departmental fellowships and assistantships are available for recruitment of new graduate students. Candidates are compared with a pool containing all other admitted students to rank and identify those applicants most qualified for financial aid. Assignment of fellowships and assistantships is made in January, February, March and April for the Fall semester. Applications should be received before January 15 to receive optimum consideration for Departmental financial aid. Departmental assistantships and fellowships are assigned for a one year period. Financial aid is also available for students in later years of their graduate program. Complete details of the financial aid packages will be disclosed completely in discussions between the major advisor and the admitted applicant. Please visit our home page for a current complete listing of financial aid available to students in FSHN: http://www.msu.edu/unit/fshn/ (see Graduate Programs and Financial Aid).

Outstanding applicants who wish to be considered for the MSU Hannah Distinguished Fellowship (4 years of stipend plus student health insurance and a tuition and fee waiver) must apply before December 31. These applicants are nominated by the Department for a campus-wide competition for a limited number of Hannah Fellowships (approximately 20 each year for the entire University).

Funding provided by the applicant’s major professor (provided by grant funds) or through sources external to MSU is arranged through personal contact with the major professor. An extensive listing of external funding sources for graduate education is provided by the MSU library at the following site: http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/grants.htm.

Financial assistance is also available to under represented minorities. Information on these financial aid packages can be obtained from: The Office of Diversity and Pluralism, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, 101 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824-1039; phone 517-432-1349 (for applicants to Food Science) or the Affirmative Action Graduate Financial Assistance Program, Owen Graduate Hall, MSU, E. Lansing, MI 48824-1109; phone 517-353-1803 (for all applicants to Food Science or Human Nutrition).

Michigan State University Academic Year

 

GRADUATE ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Acceptance of an applicant for admission to a Masters or a Doctoral degree in either Food Science or Human Nutrition is determined by the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) and by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Food Science and the College of Human Ecology for Human Nutrition. Decision regarding acceptance is made following consideration of the applicant’s academic record, experience, personal qualifications and proposed program of study.

Admission to MSU graduate programs is open to all candidates on the basis of: 1) academic preparation and ability and 2) availability of financial resources, laboratory facilities and faculty with willingness and space to take additional students in the desired area of study. Please note: We have a limited number of openings for students. Before filling out the application and paying the application fee, it may be to the your advantage fo contact faculty members in the your specific area of interest to determine if there is a faculty member available who has an opening and is willing to take the you into their group. Faculty contact information and areas of interest are available on our Department website at
http://www.msu.edu/unit/fshn/

Admission is open without regard to race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, political persuasion, sexual preference, marital status, handicap, age, or (in the case of U.S. citizens or permanent residents) financial needs.

Application Procedure

1. U.S. Applicants
Submit the following information online at http://grad.msu.edu/apply.htm
a. A completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study.
b. The application fee.
c. A Statement of Purpose which clearly identifies your intended field of study and primary objectives of your graduate program. This portion of your application is useful in assessing complementary interests with that of our faculty.

Send or present all of the following to:
FSHN Graduate Studies Office
106 G.M. Trout Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1224

d. Two official copies of each transcript of all academic work which you have completed to date must be sent directly from the institution.
e. A minimum of two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic record and experience. Forms are available online at http://grad.msu.edu/apply.htm.
f. Official report of your scores on the General Aptitude - Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores for Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical abilities are required by FSHN.

2. International Applicant

Submit the following information online at http://grad.msu.edu/apply.htm.

a. A completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study.
b. The application fee.
c. A Statement of Purpose which clearly identifies your intended field of study and primary objectives of your graduate program. This portion of your application is useful in assessing complementary interests with that of our faculty.

Send or present all of the following to:
FSHN Graduate Studies Office
106 G.M. Trout Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1224

d. A completed Statement of Financial Proof showing evidence of your financial ability to pursue a graduate program at MSU.
e. Two official copies of all previous academic records (transcripts, diplomas, certificates, etc.). These must be submitted as official documents directly from each institution. These records must show courses taken and grades earned and must be translated into English if the original records are in another language.
f. A minimum of two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your academic record and experience. Forms are available online at http://grad.msu.edu/apply.htm.
g. Official report of your scores on the General Aptitude - Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores for Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical abilities are required by FSHN.
h. International applicants who do not possess full native fluency in English must demonstrate proficiency in English as a condition for regular admission to MSU. This proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following three tests: TOEFL, Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency, or MSU English Language Center Test. An international student applicant may be admitted to provisional status with an English language deficiency, however the deficiency must be corrected within three consecutive semesters.

Note to U.S. Applicants and to International Applicants: All application materials are reviewed and evaluated by the FSHN graduate faculty prior to an admission decision. Your file is not considered complete and ready for faculty review until ALL of the above items have been received.

Timing of Application

1. The MSU Office of Admissions and Scholarships generally will only process applications completed at least 60 days before registration. International applicants are strongly urged to apply at least 120 days before registration.
2. If you are applying for financial aid, all application materials must be received eight months prior to registration.

FSHN Graduate Program Admission Requirements

Regular Status Admission
3. Applicants admitted to regular status are considered to be fully qualified to undertake and successfully complete the graduate program for which they are admitted.
4. UGPA of 3.0 or above in the third and fourth years of undergraduate study or GGPA of 3.0 in M.S., if applicable. Applicants are expected to have competence in both the basic sciences and in either Food Science or Human Nutrition.
5. GRE Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical scores are required and will be reviewed as a component of the application materials.
6. English language proficiency (international students only).

Provisional Status Admission
1. Provisional admission is considered for:
a- Students who do not meet college and departmental requirements for admission to regular status but have reasonable potential for successful completion of the advanced degree.
b- Students who have a minor deficiency in academic qualifications or insufficient background subject content.
c. International applicants with an English language deficiency.

2. UGPA below 3.00 (2.80 to 3.00) in the third or fourth years of undergraduate study.
3. GRE Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical scores are required and will be reviewed as a component of the application materials.
4. Students who are admitted to provisional status are provided a statement of requirements to be met before transfer to regular status can be made. Provision for correction of the deficiency must be met as specified in the Graduate Studies Bulletin.

Availability of Graduate Funding
1. FSHN Faculty Research Project Funded Awards
Graduate Research Assistantships are offered by individual faculty holding research grants to U.S. and International students with outstanding GPAs and GREs. Applicants seeking these assistantships must demonstrate interest and knowledge in the area of research being investigated.
2. Departmental University Funded Awards
a. Department Graduate Assistantships are offered to students with outstanding credentials. Graduate assistants at MSU have many of the responsibilities and privileges of faculty members as well as students. Graduate assistantships are available only to graduate students who are actively pursuing degree programs. Graduate assistants are appointed at one of three levels depending on qualifying experience. Each year the University establishes the range of stipend to be paid to graduate assistants at each level.
b. MSU Affirmative Action Graduate Assistantships are offered to U.S. minority students with outstanding credentials.
c. MSU Graduate School Fellowships are offered primarily to U.S. students with outstanding credentials. Students receiving fellowships are not expected to meet a work requirement.

 

 

MSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution