FSHN Graduate Student Resources

Resources for Food Science and Human Nutrition Graduate Students to help navigate the Graduate Program

FSHN Graduate Program Contacts

• Pratik Banerjee - Associate Head for Graduate Programs - pratik@illinois.edu
• Becca Snook - Graduate Admin Coordinator - snook@illinois.edu
• Bianca Xu - Director of Online Master's Program in Food Science - gxu8@illinois.edu
• Alex Lundquist - Director of Online Master's Program in Clinical and Community Nutrition - lundqui2@illinois.edu
• FSHN Business Office Profiles

Handbooks

• FSHN Grad Handbooks
• Graduate College Handbook

Registration Help

• Registration Resources
• 599 Thesis Research Registration
  • Ask you advisor for their 599 crn and how many credits they want you to register for
  • Add course using the "Add a Class by CRN" directions
  • Update the credits hours using the "Variable Credit Hour Classes" directions

Program Course Requirements

• MS Requirements
• PHD Requirements

Exams and Thesis/Dissertation Information

Preparing, scheduling, and deposit information

• Examination and Deposit Process
  • Public Defense Seminar FSHN 597
• Thesis & Dissertation Resources
  • Graduate College Resources
  • Format Resources ***new as of SPRING 2026

Forms (internal department forms)

• Request Admission to the PhD Program
• Required Course Substitution Request
• Request for Change of Advisor (pdf)
• Request for Co-Advisor Assignment (pdf)
• Advisory Committee 
• Exam Notification (pdf) Only used for MS and Qual Exam
• Grad Student Exit Form
• Student Advisory Committee Application (pdf)

Forms (Graduate College)

• Use the Graduate College Student Portal for the following forms
  • Petitions
  • Prelim/Final Exam Requests
  • Registration Forms
    • Late Registration Change Requests
    • Credit/No Credit
    • In Absentia

Graduation (Grad Students)

• Apply to Graduate using Self Service. Applying to graduate is also known as putting yourself on the pending degree list.
• I put myself on the pending degree list but will not meet the deadlines
  • Fill out the Graduate College form to move yourself to the term you plan to graduate
    • Add/Remove from Degree List
      • You will only fill out one form. Ask to remove from current list and add to new list. The department contact for the form is Becca Snook (snook@illinois.edu).
• Graduation ceremonies
  • Your diploma is not given to you at the ceremony. It will arrive approximately 9 weeks after conferral.
  • The department is not involved in the ceremonies.
  • Once on a pending degree list, watch for emails to various ceremonies.
  • Visit Illinois Commencement to find out information about graduation ceremonies.
  • Can I walk in May if I graduate in August?
    • MS students can walk in May and graduate in August per eligibility requirements
    • PHD students cannot walk in May when graduating in August. You will be invited to a future ceremony.

Required training for laboratories

• Visit DRS (Division of Research Safety) and go through the Training Checklist to find what lab safety trainings will be required for your studies.
• General Laboratory Safety training should be completed within the first month of working in the lab and only needs to be completed once for your whole time at the University.
• Consult with your faculty advisor on what other safety training might be required in their lab.

Travel

• View travel scholarships available to Grad FSHN students
• Travel Process

Useful Resources

• Reserving Rooms
• Professional Portraits
• Technology

FSHN GSA Information

Teaching Assistantship Opportunties

FSHN Grad Student Orientation