鲍鱼直播

Apply to the Master's Program in Nutritional Science or Packaging

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. Where can I find information about the program requirements and the application process? 

  • Master of Science in Nutritional Science

    Chapter two of the Graduate Handbook [pdf] provides detailed information about requirements and the application process. You should also consult the graduate admissions website.

    Master of Science in Packaging

    Consult the graduate admissions website and contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Adrianne Widaman (adrianne.widaman@sjsu.edu), with any questions.

• 2. When do you accept applications?

  • We only accept applications for the fall semester (spring cycle is not available). Check the application deadlines posted on Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website.

• 3. How is the application process? 

  • Summary of the Application Process

    More information can be found on the Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Adrianne Widaman (adrianne.widaman@sjsu.edu), with any questions.

    For Nutritional Science students, more information can be found on the Admission to the Master of Science in Nutritional Science Application Procedures document [pdf] and  chapter two of the Graduate Handbook [pdf].

    Please note: our whole application process is now completely online using  and we no longer accept documents submitted by email.

    1. Apply online at  by the deadline posted on the Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations website. This is where you will submit all of your application materials.
    2. Submit/upload the following documents in "Program Materials" section of Cal State Apply: 
       - Signed and dated statement of purpose/letter of intent
       - 3 letters of recommendation 
       - Resume summarizing volunteer, research, and employment experience
       - Prerequisite form: Submit the MS/DPD Core Science Courses Form [docx], only required for students interested in completing the DPD coursework at 鲍鱼直播
    3. You must mail OFFICIAL U.S./Canada College transcripts or WES evaluation (international students)* in sealed envelopes from ALL universities/colleges attended before the posted document deadline to**:
       San Jose State University
       Graduate Admissions & Program Evaluations (GAPE) 
       One Washington Square 
       San Jose, CA 95192-0017
    4. Submit GRE scores to 鲍鱼直播 (graduate division; code 468)
    5. If English is not your primary language, you must satisfactorily meet the minimum test scores for the English Language Proficiency Exam.
        
       * The Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging (NUFSPKG) requires WES course-by-course document from international students planning to received credit for the DPD verification statement.
       
       **Admissions contact: admissions@sjsu.edu; 408-283-7500
• 4. Are there prerequisites for courses and do I need to complete them before applying? 

  • Yes, there are prerequisites. All students are strongly advised to complete prerequisite classes prior to admission to the program. If you have not completed most of the following classes, your application will not receive serious consideration. You can check  for more information about each course.

    Master of Science in Nutritional Science Prerequisites

    1. Lower-division introductory nutrition (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 NUFS 8)
    2. Lower-division general chemistry (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 CHEM 1A) 
    3. Lower-division organic chemistry (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 CHEM 30B)
    4. Lower-division physiology (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 BIOL 66)
    5. Lower-division introductory statistics (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 STAT 95 or HS 67)
    6. Lower-division introductory psychology (equivalent to 鲍鱼直播 PSYC 1)

    Master of Science in Packaging Prerequisites

    1. Introductory chemistry (equivalent to Chem 30A and 30B)
    2. Calculus (1 semester or quarter)
    3. Physics (1 semester or quarter)
    4. Principles of Packaging (equivalent to PKG 107)
• 5. What if I have a bachelor鈥檚 degree that is NOT in nutrition, and would like to pursue the Master of Science in Nutritional Science degree or the Master of Science in Nutritional Science and Didactic Program in Dietetics? 

  • You are not required to have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Nutrition to apply to the MS program. However, students who do not have enough support courses typically will not be accepted (see question #3 above).

• 6. How do I know if the course I completed at a Community College or University is equivalent to the one at 鲍鱼直播? 

  • You can check  articulation agreements developed by 鲍鱼直播 with other institutions or .

• 7. The course I completed is not listed on the website (#5). Can you tell me if this course will be accepted before I apply to the program?

  • Unfortunately, we cannot do pre-evaluations for course equivalencies before admission to the program.

• 8. Is the GRE required? 

  • Yes, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required* for admission to the Master of Science in Nutritional Science and Master of Science in Packaging programs. You can check score requirements on page 5 of the Graduate Handbook [pdf] or at the Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations test requirements website. 

    *The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who received their bachelors degree from any department/school in the College of Health and Human Sciences at San Jos茅 State University. 

• 9. Is the Master of Science in Nutritional Science Program combined with the dietetic internship? 

  • Our program is not combined. We offer a Master of Science in Nutritional Science, and if accepted into the program, you may qualify for applying to our internal dietetic internship that is offered only to 鲍鱼直播 students. In essence, students do complete both MS and dietetic internship but they are separate steps. The steps are:

    1. Complete dietetic coursework receiving DPD verification statement
    2. Complete MS classes
    3. Complete MS project (classes + project = 30 units)
    4. Apply for internal dietetic internship (DI) (only for 鲍鱼直播 students)
    5. Interview for DI placement
    6. Complete internship (7 months full time)
    7. Pass the national RD exam
• 10. Would I be able to take the required Didactic Program in Dietetics classes and earn a DPD verification statement as a non-degree student?

  • No, the DPD program and verification statement can be completed only if you're enrolled in our Bachelor of Science or Master of Science program.

• 11. What is the program cost/tuition?

  • You can find tuition fees in the Bursar's Office website.

• 12. I have a foreign degree, how do I get my transcript evaluated? 

  • 鲍鱼直播's Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations requires that all international applicants provide a World Education Services evaluation for any educational work taken outside of the U.S. and Territories and Canada. Additional information can be found at International Applicants: How to Apply.

• 13. Can I get into a graduate program with a three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree from India? 

  • 鲍鱼直播 does not deem the three-year bachelor鈥檚 degree from India as comparable to a four-year U.S. bachelor鈥檚 degree and therefore will not meet the CSU eligibility requirements. More information can be found at the Office of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations - Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

• 14. How can I improve my chances of being accepted into the program? 

  • The Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging has a graduate selection committee that makes the decision on admission based on an application evaluation rubric. The rubric includes information about GPA, performance on core science courses (See #3), GRE scores, letter of intent, letters of recommendation, and research/professional experience. Follow the instructions in the graduate handbook [pdf].