Food science is a broad topic that can cover food biology, food production, food safety regulations, and nutrition.
Some colleges and universities offer nutritional science or food science degree programs.
Do you want to become a food scientist? Keep reading for our top picks for online food science degree programs.
Top Online Food Science Degree Programs
Food science degrees, sometimes called nutrition science or just nutrition degrees, are available online through a handful of colleges and universities.
1. Kansas State University
Kansas State University is a public university based in Manhattan, KS. It offers a large number of online programs, including degrees in food science.
The bachelor's degree in food science and industry covers topics like food chemistry, food safety, nutrition, food processing, and product development.
It offers two concentrations: industry and technology and food production and product management. Both include core courses such as:
- Food Microbiology
- Fundamentals of Food Processing
- Fundamentals of Nutrition
- Introduction to Food Science
The online master's degree in food science focuses on food chemistry, food microbiology, food safety, sensory analysis, food processing, and food engineering. Courses include:
- Advanced Food Chemistry
- Food Analysis
- Quality Assurance of Food Products
- Research and Development of Food Products
While this program is online, students will still need to appear on campus at the end of the program for a final exam. Internships within the food industry are also available.
2. Purdue Global
Purdue Global is the online branch of Purdue Global, a public research university in West Lafayette, IN. It offers an online bachelor's degree in nutrition.
The Bachelor of Science in Nutrition requires 180 quarter credits, the equivalent of 120 semester credits. It includes courses like:
- Food Science
- Foodservice Management - Principles and Practices
- Nutrition Across the Human Life Cycle
- Nutritional Analysis and Assessment
An optional internship experience is available to students. Students may also choose a concentration in holistic nutrition.
Courses in this program are offered in 10-week blocks and take about 15 to 18 hours of study per week. The degree takes an average of four years to complete.
Purdue Global also allows students in this program to participate in an accelerated master's degree program in areas like healthcare administration or public health.
3. University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public research university in Tuscaloosa, AL. It's the flagship university of the University of Alabama system.
It offers an online Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition that trains students on the relationship between nutrition and human health.
The program requires 120 credits. Courses include:
- Experimental and Functional Food Science
- Food Science
- Nutrition Education: Theories and Practice
- Purchasing, Design, and Risk Management in Food Service Systems
Students can also earn an online Master of Science in Human Nutrition. It offers a generalist track as well as clinical and community concentrations. Courses include:
- Metabolism of Energy Nutrients
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease
- Research Methods in Nutrition
This program requires 30 credits for graduation. Students may be required to take certain prerequisites depending on the bachelor's degree they hold.
4. University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, AZ. It offers a large variety of online programs, including degrees in nutrition.
At the undergraduate level, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in nutritional sciences through the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences.
Students in this program specialize in either dietetics or nutrition. Both concentrations include courses such as:
- Foundational Skills in Nutritional Sciences
- Fundamentals of Food Science
- Nutrition and Metabolism
- Nutrition Communication & Scientific Literacy
At the master's level, students can earn a master's degree in applied nutrition. This program also has two concentrations: dietetics or nutrition and wellness. Courses include:
- Assessment and Regulation of Human Body Composition
- Food Systems and Agricultural Literacy
- Nutrigenomics for the Study of Disease Prevention and Intervention
- Professional Ethics and Best Practices in Nutrition Education and Counseling
While both programs are offered online, they also require students to either participate in onsite supervised experience or research through food service or nutrition facilities.
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a public research university in Illinois. It's the flagship university of the University of Illinois system.
Its College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences offers an online, non-thesis Master of Science in Food Science.
This program prepares students to apply the principles of science and engineering to ensure the quantity, quality, variety, attractiveness, and safety of foods. It includes courses like:
- Advanced Food Chemistry
- Agriculture, Food, and the Environment
- Food and Industrial Microbiology
- Food Safety for Global Food Security
This degree is designed with working professionals in mind and requires a total of 32 credits to complete.
FAQs About Online Food Science Degree Programs
Below, you'll find the answers to frequently asked questions about food science degree programs.
How Long Are Online Food Science Degree Programs?
Online food science degree programs last about as long as traditional degree programs. Bachelor's degrees take about four years and master's take about two.
What Can I Do With a Degree in Food Science?
Those with a degree in food science have several career options depending on their interests and the focus of their degrees.
Some students choose to work as nutritionists or dietitians, although requirements for those positions vary by state and may require additional education or licensure.
Others may go on to work as food safety inspectors or in fields like food production or food processing.
Can I Earn My Food Science Degree Completely Online?
A few colleges and universities, including most of the ones listed above, allow you to earn your degree in food science or nutrition completely online.
Some programs may require students to appear in person for exams or internships.
Find Online Food Science Degree Programs
Students can find online food science or nutrition degree programs through a small number of colleges and universities in the United States.
Check out the ones listed above to find the right program for you today!
