MS Food Science at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The MS in Food Science offers a standard thesis option or a competitive one-year professional non-thesis degree for students with a non-food-science BS. It builds in-depth understanding of food chemistry, analysis, microbiology, quality and processing for industry careers or further graduate study.

Faculty: College of Natural Sciences | Department: Department of Food Science | Duration: Standard thesis option or one-year professional (non-thesis) option | Intake: Fall (deadline February 1) or spring (October 1) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

What you will study

High-level courses such as food biochemistry, physical phenomena in foods and pathogen detection, plus relevant courses from other departments such as plant and soil sciences. Pathways listed: two-year thesis MS, accelerated thesis MS and 1-year professional MS.

Career pathways

Food industry, higher education and government.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Food Science graduate programmes: applicants typically hold an undergraduate degree in food science or a related field such as microbiology, biochemistry, chemistry, chemical engineering or nutrition. Apply online through the Graduate School; deadlines are February 1 (fall) and October 1 (spring). International applicants: minimum TOEFL iBT 80 on the old scale (4.0 on the new iBT26 scale from January 21, 2026) or IELTS 6.5. An advisor must be identified before acceptance. MS applicants are expected to be self-supported and, if no financial aid is requested, include a Graduate Sponsor Statement.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Intake: Fall (deadline February 1) or spring (October 1)

Duration: Standard thesis option or one-year professional (non-thesis) option

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