M.S. in Food Science & Human Nutrition

Our M.S. program supports students who have diverse professional interests. Some students want to work in food companies or food science labs at universities or government agencies. Other students wish to increase their nutrition knowledge to enhance their product development, regulatory, public health, or education careers. Students who have graduated from a didactic program in dietetics (DPD) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND)*, are eligible to apply to the Dietetic Internship concentration; applications through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) are also required. Admission to the Dietetic Internship M.S. concentration does not guarantee that an applicant will be matched to the Dietetic Internship.

*Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

We also offer M.S. options on campus and online. Are you unsure which option is best for your professional goals? Please refer to this schematic:

Dietetic interns and other on-campus M.S. students may select non-thesis or thesis options, depending upon the availability of graduate advisors and funding. Online students are not eligible for thesis research, graduate assistantships, and/or fellowships. Students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. should consider completing the M.S. on campus, which will provide  thesis experience.  On-campus students engaging in thesis research may be funded through the School of Food & Agriculture, but funding is competitive. Other sources of funding may be available for thesis and non-thesis students on the UMaine campus, but it is essential that applications are completed by January 15 if you wish to be considered for financial support. 

The requirements and admission prerequisites vary for each of the M.S. concentrations/options. Links to each of the M.S. options are listed here:

  • M.S. on campus (thesis or non-thesis)

  • M.S. on campus with Dietetic Internship (thesis or non-thesis)

  • Online M.S. (non-thesis)

For more information, contact: FSN Graduate Coordinator Dr. Mary Ellen Camire [camire@maine.edu; 207.581.1627]

M.S. On Campus (thesis or non-thesis)
M.S. on Campus with Dietetic Internship (thesis or non-thesis)
Online M.S. (non-thesis)