Admissions

The Master of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs (MSFRA) program was approved by MSU's University Curriculum Committee in late April 2025. MSU's Office of Admissions is working to add the program to their system so that prospective students may start to apply. We plan to start accepting applications in June or July of 2025 so students can begin their master's program in late August 2025, MSU’s fall semester.  

While we wait for MSU Admissions to open our application process, we encourage you to reach out to our academic advisor, Mary Gebbia (iflr@msu.edu), to learn more about the program and admission process.  While our new program in Food Regulatory Affairs is not yet listed in the university’s list of majors, you can still start your application online. https://online.msu.edu/how-to-apply 

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. They must also have completed 6 or more credits in food science, nutrition, dietetics, biology, or equivalent. Letters of recommendation and previous work experience are also weighed in the application review process. Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.  

Applicants will be asked to upload the following documents to the MSU Admissions system: 

  • Statement of purpose
  • Curriculum Vitae  
  • Contact information for 3 references. The MSU application system will prompt you to provide names and email addresses of your letter writers. The system will then send a request and link to them to upload a letter. 
  • Transcripts for every post-secondary degree you have earned. 
  • International applicants: proof of English language proficiency. 
  • No GRE required!  
  • Pay the admission fee ($65 for US; $75 for international)

Tips for Writing a Statement of Purpose

Please summarize in 1 page (or 250-400 words) your interest in the online Master of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs and how you plan to be successful. Here are examples of topics that are typically addressed in a personal statement (not all required): 

  • General background and life experiences (social, economic, cultural, familial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges) which motivated you to pursue this degree. These could be experiences inside or outside of the classroom that contributed to your desire to get a graduate degree.  
  • Professional interests, passions, career goals and plans that motivate you to pursue this degree. 
  • Educational and work experiences, specific coursework, or job experience related to the desired degree.  
  • What do you think you might find most difficult about graduate school and how are you prepared to face the challenges?  
  • Examples of experiences which show perseverance in the face of obstacles and/or experiences which demonstrate initiative.  
  • Elaborate on other personal attributes that will contribute to your success in graduate school.

International Applicants 

For the most up-to-date information on international applications, please visit the Graduate School page for international applicants: https://grad.msu.edu/internationalapplicants  

Visas are not supported for online programs:

Michigan State University does not provide visa application documents for this program because students do not need to be in the United States to study online. 

Also because online students will not travel to the United States to study, they do not need to provide a Statement of Financial Proof during the application process.

Transcripts: 

Applicants must send official copies transcripts from all post-secondary schooling attended/attending. Mark sheets, transcripts, certificates, and diplomas, must be submitted as official documents directly from each institution. In most cases, these documents will need to be sent in official, sealed, issuing institution envelopes.

Records must show courses taken, grades earned, and must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. Translations must be done by the issuing institution, a certified translator in the country of study, or by an American Translator’s Association certified translator in the US. The original record should be also included. See information on the Academic Programs website. 

Note that MSU requires final, degree-granting academic records to be sent as proof of degree award. Many international transcripts do not indicate degree award information, and therefore MSU requests applicants send official copies of their final degree diplomas as proof of degree award. 

International applicants from China must provide CDGDC verification. Please visit the graduate school's website at https://grad.msu.edu/cdgdc for detailed instructions. 

Language proficiency: 

All international applicants and applicants whose first language is not English must be proficient in English as a condition for regular admission to Michigan State University. Such applicants will be required to demonstrate their proficiency by meeting certain minimum standards. There is a process for automatic waivers and for non-automatic waivers of the requirement of test scores. Please work with our advisor at iflr@msu.edu if you feel this applies to you. 

For scores to be considered active, the English language score report process must have been completed within two years of the time of application. 

The English competency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE A, etc.) are designed to give graduate program admissions committees some information to judge potential for success. A reasonable level of English competency (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) are important skills for student success in the nationally-competitive MSU graduate education environment. 

Applicants should have all test scores sent from the testing agency directly to Michigan State University. Most testing authorities are able to send scores electronically. In the rare case that a physical copy must be sent, it should be sent to; Office of Admissions; Hannah Administration Building; 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250; East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604. 

Learn more here: https://grad.msu.edu/english-language-competency