Master of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science
Wayne State's Master of Arts in Nutrition and Food Science prepares students for advanced roles in healthcare, research, public health and the food industry. Our program combines coursework in nutrition, food safety and human health with opportunities for applied research and professional development.
Students develop expertise in assessing nutritional needs, analyzing food systems and promoting health through diet and food policy. Graduates are equipped for careers in clinical nutrition, food regulation, community health and wellness programs or further doctoral studies in the field.
About nutrition and food science
Nutrition and food science both explore food and its role in human life, but they focus on different aspects of the field. Nutrition is centered on how food affects health, examining the relationship between diet and well-being. This includes topics such as disease prevention, dietary planning and the impact of food accessibility on communities. Food science, in contrast, studies the composition, production, distribution and safety of food. This discipline covers areas like food safety, packaging and beverage science, ensuring food remains high-quality and safe from production to consumption.
Prerequisites
All incoming students are expected to have the following undergraduate courses or their equivalent:
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NFS 2130/2140 | Intro Food Science and Lab | 4 |
| NFS 2220 | Nutrition Laboratory | 1 |
| NFS 3230 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| BIO 2200 | Intro Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 2870 | Anatomy and Physiology | |
| CHM #### | One semester of Organic Chemistry | |
| XXX #### | Courses in biochemistry and statistics are recommended |
Career insights
A degree in nutrition and food science can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are just a few of the many opportunities available in this field.
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Agricultural inspectors | $64,000 |
| Agricultural technicians | $44,000 |
| Dietitians and nutritionists | $71,000 |
| Dietetic technicians | $39,000 |
| Food science technician | $54,000 |
| Food scientists and technologists | $84,000 |
This data provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Contact 💬
Paul Burghardt, graduate program director
nutrition.grad@wayne.edu