Purdue University Food Science Graduate Admissions Requirements

We are pleased that you are interested in our graduate program. Before you continue with the electronic application for admission, we wish to ensure that you are familiar with the minimum requirements for admission to graduate degree study in Food Science.

It is important to recognize that although satisfaction of these basic requirements does not guarantee admission, failure to satisfy these requirements may lead to automatic denial of admission.

If you do not meet the basic requirements described below, please do not submit the electronic application until you have contacted our graduate program coordinator.

Codes for GRE: Purdue code is 1631. The Food Science code is 0107.

Codes for TOEFL: Purdue code is 1631. The Food Science code is 31.

GRE requirements are reinstated for Fall 2024 enrollment and beyond.

 

Application Deadlines

Fall Entry Term

Domestic: July 15
International (applying from overseas): April 15
International (applying while in US, excluding currently enrolled Purdue students): May 15
International (currently enrolled at Purdue): June 30

Spring Entry Term

Domestic: December 15
International (applying from overseas): September 30
International (applying while in US, excluding currently enrolled Purdue students): October 31
International (currently enrolled at Purdue): November 30

Summer Entry Term

Domestic: April 15
International (applying from overseas): January 31
International (applying while in US, excluding currently enrolled Purdue students): February 28
International (currently enrolled at Purdue): March 31

 

Basic Academic Requirements - Master's Degree Program

Domestic Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.0 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes. Official transcripts required for admission.
  • One copy of B.S. diploma

International Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.0 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (For exams taken before January 21, 2026):
    Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 80 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 19, Listening: 14, Speaking: 18, Writing: 18)
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026):
    Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 4.0 (with the following
    minimum section requirements: Reading: 4.0, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5, Writing: 4.0)
  • TOEFL Essentials for Non-Native English Speakers:
    Minimum Overall Score Required: 8.0 (with the following minimum section requirements:
    Reading: 8.0; Listening 8.0; Speaking: 8.0; Writing: 8.0)
  • IELTS (Academic Module):
    An alternative to the TOEFL, Minimum Overall Score Required: 6.5 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 6.5; Listening 6.0; Speaking: 6.0; Writing: 5.5)
  • Duolingo English Test- total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes. Official transcripts required for admission. Language of instruction and English translation required
  • Copies of B. S. diploma; one copy should be in the language of instruction and the other in English translation

 

Basic Academic Requirements - Doctoral Degree Program

Domestic Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.0 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes. Official transcripts required for admission.
  • One copy of B.S. diploma

International Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.0 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 146, Quantitative 144, Analytical 4.0
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (For exams taken before January 21, 2026):
    Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 80 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 19, Listening: 14, Speaking: 18, Writing: 18)
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026):
    Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 4.0 (with the following
    minimum section requirements: Reading: 4.0, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5, Writing: 4.0)
  • IELTS (Academic Module):
    An alternative to the TOEFL, Minimum Overall Score Required: 6.5 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 6.5; Listening 6.0; Speaking: 6.0; Writing: 5.5)
  • TOEFL Essentials for Non-Native English Speakers:
    Minimum Overall Score Required: 8.0 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 8.0; Listening: 8.0; Speaking: 8.0; Writing: 8.0)
  • Duolingo English Test- total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes. Official transcripts required for admission. Language of instruction and English translation required
  • Copies of B.S. diploma; one copy should be in the language of instruction and the other in English translation

 

Basic Academic Requirements - Direct doctoral from bachelor's degree program

Candidates interested in the Direct Doctoral from Bachelor’s Degree Program must obtain Food Science Graduate Committee approval.

Domestic Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.5 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 156, Quantitative 151, Analytical 5.0
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes. Official transcripts required for admission.
  • One copy of B.S. diploma

International Applicants

  • Undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average: 3.5 or equivalent required
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Minimum Score Recommended: Verbal 156, Quantitative 151, Analytical 5.0
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (taken before January 21, 2026): Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 80 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 19, Listening: 14, Speaking: 18, Writing: 18)
  • TOEFL for Non-Native English Speakers (For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026): Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 4.0 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 4.0, Listening: 3.5, Speaking: 3.5, Writing: 4.0)
  • TOEFL Essentials for Non-Native English Speakers: Minimum Overall Score Required: 8.0 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 8.0; Listening 8.0; Speaking: 8.0; Writing: 8.0)
  • IELTS (Academic Module): An alternative to the TOEFL, Minimum Overall Score Required: 6.5 (with the following minimum section requirements: Reading: 6.5; Listening 6.0; Speaking: 6.0; Writing: 5.5)
  • Duolingo English Test- total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore
  • Resume and Academic Statement of Purpose indicating direct Ph.D from Bachelor’s Degree consideration
  • Personal History Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation indicating direct Ph.D from Bachelor’s Degree consideration
  • Unofficial Transcripts can be used for application review purposes; Official transcripts required for admission. Language of instruction and English translation required
  • Copies of B.S. diploma; one copy should be in the language of instruction and the other in English translation

 

Questions

Application questions may be directed to:

Betty Lewis
(765) 494-8258
gradadmissions@foodsci.purdue.edu

The application fee must be remitted with the online application.