Nutrition and Food Science

  • MS
  • Master's
A student in a white chef's jacket and hat cooks food in a frying pan in a combination laboratory and kitchen.

Advance your expertise and expand your career opportunities in the growing fields of nutrition, food science, or food systems. Montclair State University's MS in Nutrition and Food Science is a STEM-Designated Degree Program offering an in-depth study of nutrition education, food science, food regulations, food systems, and food and nutrition assistance programs and policies - preparing you to make an impact in the food and nutrition industry.

Program Highlights:

  • Comprehensive training in nutrition science, education, and policy
  • Career pathways in nutrition and wellness, food science, and food systems
  • Career pathways in healthcare, nutrition and wellness, food production, policy advocacy, and nutrition administration
  • Flexible elective options, including certificates in Nutrition and Exercise Science or Sustainable Food Practices
  • 32-credit program (42 credits for the Dietetics Concentration) designed for professional advancement

Note: Students interested in becoming Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) should explore the dietetics concentration, Montclair's ACEND-accredited Graduate Program (GP) which prepares students to take the RDN Exam. Please refer to the Pre-Dietetics certificate for more information. 

Take the next step toward leading in nutrition and food science—apply today.

Nourish your studies and career!

Take your passion for food, health, and wellness to the next level with Montclair State University’s Master of Science in Nutrition and Food Science. This 32-credit graduate program gives you advanced training in nutrition science, nutrition education, food regulations and compliance, and nutrition counseling. You’ll explore the full food system—from production and safety to distribution and sustainability—while building the skills needed for careers in healthcare, government, education, food industry, wellness, and research.

As part of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, you’ll gain hands-on experience across diverse areas including clinical and community nutrition, innovative food product development, sustainable food systems and food quality management. Whether your goal is to work in health care settings, government agencies, food companies or wellness organizations, our program prepares you to make an impact in the field of nutrition and food science.

See the curriculum.

If your goal is to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Montclair State University’s ACEND-accredited Graduate Program in Dietetics (GP) provides graduate-level academic coursework and 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning in a single, seamless program. 

Graduates earn an MS and are eligible to sit for the RDN exam. Successful completion of the exam allows candidates to earn the RDN credential, with licensure required in most states, including New Jersey. 

The GP can be earned either as a stand-alone program or through the accelerated BS/MS program. This concentration blends academic rigor with professional preparation, positioning you for a rewarding career in clinical nutrition, public health, foodservice management, and beyond. 

To be eligible to enter the GP, students must complete the required undergraduate-level prerequisites in one of three ways:

  1. Complete the BS-Dietetics concentration at Montclair State University; or
  2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and the Pre-Dietetics Certificate from Montclair State University; or
  3. Complete a Bachelor’s degree in any major at any accredited university and provide an ACEND verification statement from an accredited DPD or CP.

A minimum GPA of 3.2 from the most recent degree or certificate program is required, along with an ACEND DPD Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent to Complete Degree form. 

See the curriculum. 

Additionally, students entering the Dietetics Concentration are expected to be current in their knowledge base related to the dietetics profession. All applicants should have taken the equivalent of NUFD 399 Medical Nutrition Applications and NUFD 488 Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 no earlier than 5 years prior to the program start date. For students who do not meet this expectation, it is highly recommended that they complete these courses prior to the program start date.

What Our Students Are Saying!

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Something so special about a master’s program is what you’re learning is so applicable to how you’re spending your time professionally. Deciding to pursue food science is the best decision I ever made.

Jacqueline Conte ’24

Program: MS, Nutrition and Food Science:

Career: Creation Technologist, Givaudan:

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Admission Requirements

  • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees: Please visit the international applicants page to review U.S. degree equivalency information.
  • Program Qualifications and GPA Expectations: The MS Nutrition and Food Science program conducts a holistic process when reviewing applications and considers students from a wide variety of educational backgrounds. All of the supplemental materials you submit will be carefully considered by the academic department in order to render an admission decision. As a general guideline, it is advised that applicants have a 2.8 GPA or above in order to be considered for admission. Prospective students with a GPA below 2.8 are encouraged to consider applying to the Sustainable Food Practices Certificate program as a first step to possibly continuing on to the dual degree program.

Application Checklist

  • Application Deadline: Rolling admission for the General concentration, Feburary 1 for the DICAS application to the Dietetics concentration.
  • Online Application:
  • Transcript: One from each college attended.
  • Essays/Personal Statement: Please write an integrated essay providing a response to each of the following questions, using specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience:
    •  
      • What are your goals for graduate study and your future career?
      • In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career?
      • Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two.
  • Resume: Required
  • Standardized Test Scores: GRE. If you have earned a bachelor's degree with an overall GPA of a 3.0 or above, you are eligible for a GRE waiver.

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Questions? We're Here to Help.

For questions about this program or information about how to enroll, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Graduate Admissions Office

Get guidance on every step of the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts, test scores and next steps toward enrollment. The Office of Graduate Admissions provides the information and resources needed to put forward a strong application.

Program Coordinator, General Concetration: Dr. Meena Mahadevan

Get detailed information about the program itself—from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes. The program coordinator can explain how the program connects to your academic and professional goals.

Program Coordinator, Dietetics Concentration: Dr. Lauren Dinour

Get detailed information about the dietetics program — from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes. The program coordinator can explain how the program connects to your academic and professional goals.