All required lecture-based courses are delivered in live synchronous online sessions using distance education technology. This technology offers several features including:
- Live lectures from instructors (with optional video)
- Breakout spaces for group activities
- Students can ask questions
- Students can interact with other students
- Students can give presentations
- Live chat space and ability for students and instructors to use microphones
Because of the amount of interaction occurring during the live course sessions, attendance will be considered. Additionally, individuals who have not completed an IFT-accredited food processing sequence will be required to complete that during an on-campus (Urbana location) experience or through another accredited institution.
Elluminate Demonstration - A demonstration of the current distance education technology is available.
Many of our students are working professionals who are pursuing a non-thesis Master of Science degree in food science on a part-time basis. The online delivery option makes the program more accessible to students in various locations, who may also be balancing a travel schedule for their careers.
The online MS degree program was created in 1973 and over 200 students have obtained their MS degrees through the program. The new live online delivery method will maintain the high-quality non-thesis online MS program for which this respected University is known.
Admission
For admission to the Graduate College, a baccalaureate degree is required. It is desirable, but not required, that this degree be related to physical, biological, agricultural or engineering sciences. Required background courses include general chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, physics, and calculus. If you are deficient in these areas of study, and you do not have extensive work experience in lieu of coursework, you may take correspondence courses, other distance education courses, or traditional classroom courses to satisfy the necessary prerequisite requirements. If your cumulative GPA for your last 60 hours of coursework is less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, it is recommend that you complete 2 - 3 courses in the program as a non-degree student prior to applying to the program. If you are later admitted to the program, non-degree courses may be petitioned for use if you earn a grade of B or better. No more than 12 hours of non-degree coursework may be petitioned for use.
The TOEFL is required of all students who have studied in a non-English speaking institution prior to attending and have not had 2 of the last 5 years of full time study at an English speaking institution, or are receiving an advanced degree (MS equiv or better) from an English speaking institution.
Information about applying: When applying online, please select 10KS0037MSU [Food Science and Human Nutrition (Online)-MS]. All supporting materials (transcripts, letters of referenc, personal statement, etc.) should be uploaded directly to the online application. For our online program, the GRE exam is not required.
Course Offerings
The program offers one to three courses each semester, including summer. A full list of courses planned through 2014 is available below. As noted above, those who have not completed an IFT-accredited food processing sequence will be required to complete that during an on-campus (Urbana location) experience or through another accredited institution.
Online courses are coordinated through Online and Continuing Education. Please visit their site to learn more about online courses and to register for current courses. You do not need to be admitted to the Graduate College before enrolling in courses.
View the multi-year course plan
Current Students - Portal Page(access to multiple student resources)
Online MS Program Degree Completion Requirements
To earn the MS degree, students must complete 32 hours of coursework and successfully pass an oral examination. Students who have earned up to 12 hours of graduate credit while enrolled as a non-degree student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign may petition those hours and up to 12 hours of graduate credit taken at another institution. All students must earn a grade of B or better to transfer any course towards a graduate degree. On average, students take one course per semester, which translates into approximately 11 semesters of coursework. The oral examination is given after a student has completed all 32 hours of coursework, and it is highly recommended that a student prepare for approximately 3 months before taking the oral examination. Thus, in total, the degree takes approximately four years to complete. Students can register for more than one class each semester; however, it is the recommendation of the Department that a student does not participate in more than two classes in any one semester.
The Guide for Students provides more detailed information about the program.
For More Information
Our mailing address is:
Dept of FSHN - Continuing Education
260 Bevier Hall
905 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
Please address all program inquiries to Dr. Dawn Bohn (217) 333-0881 or via e-mail: dbrehart@illinois.edu
For assistance with technology, registration or other related student support questions please contact:
Anna Mehl
Office of Continuing Education
901 West University Avenue
(217) 244-7023
annamehl@illinois.edu
