A thesis student normally has entered an agreement with a faculty member before admission. The selection of the advisor is essentially a mutual agreement by the student and a faculty member in the Department after consultation with each other. In the case of those students doing a thesis project, the faculty member selected as the advisor will also serve as the Director of Thesis Research. In most cases, the selection process will have been completed by correspondence or other personal contacts prior to the student arriving at the University. In those cases where no such prior arrangements have been made, the student must arrange a satisfactory arrangement with the Department Head. The student is urged to consult as many faculty members as possible in his or her area(s) of interest and select an advisor with whom he or she feels a successful working arrangement can be maintained. The advisor's advice and consent is necessary on matters pertaining to the student's academic program while at the University. It should be noted that if subsequent events indicate that the arrangement initially agreed upon proves to be unsatisfactory, either the student or the advisor is free to change the arrangement. If a change in major professor/advisor is sought by the student, he or she will need to submit a Request for Change of Advisor form (Appendix 3). If the student feels it’s necessary to have a co-advisor, submit Request for Co-Advisor Assignment form found in Appendix 4. In either case, discuss the situation with the Associate Head for Graduate Programs beforehand.

A list of faculty members and their areas of specialization is found in Appendix 5. The student’s and the advisor’s “Area of Specialization” will be the same for purposes of administering the rules and regulations of the department and for interpreting this Handbook.

All students in the MS Clinical and Community Nutrition degree program are advised by Jennifer Burton, Director, Online Masters Program in Clinical and Community Nutrition. Jennifer advises both the on-campus and online degree students in the non-thesis program. Thesis track students in the Clinical and Community Nutrition program should refer to section 2.1 Thesis Advising.

All students in the online MS degree with a focus in Food Science are advised by the Interim Online Food Science program director, Bianca Xu. To review degree requirements and policies, visit fshn.illinois.edu/current-online-students Thesis track students in the Food Science program should refer to section 2.1 Thesis Advising.

All students in the Professional Science Masters program are advised by Dr. Nicki Engeseth, Professor and Department Head of Food Science and Human Nutrition. You will also work with Natalie Bosecker, Illinois PSM Director who will help guide you through the business portion of your degree. Degree requirements, can be found at psm.illinois.edu/fshn/overview