Foods and Nutrition, MScFN

The MScFN program offers a choice of two curriculum options (course-based and project-based) for students that will shape their research and coursework requirements. Both curriculum options provide students with a combination of advanced-level coursework and practical training experiences with placements across southwestern Ontario and beyond.

Graduates of either program earn a Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition (MScFN) degree and complete a practicum which is recognized by Accreditation Canada, preparing students to write the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination (CDRE) which is required to become a Registered Dietitian in Canada.

For more information on becoming a Registered Dietitian in Canada, please visit these websites: Accreditation Canada, Dietitians of Canada and College of Dietitians of Ontario.

PLEASE NOTE: As of September 2025, the thesis-based program has moved to the field of “Food, Nutrition, and Human Ecology” within Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University. Please visit the program’s website for details and instructions on how to apply.

Admission Requirements

IMPORTANT: Before applying to this program, all potential applicants should review details about the admission requirements for the multi-step application process which are outlined on the MScFN admissions website.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 620 (paper-based), 260 (computer-based) or 105 (internet-based). [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). Minimum acceptable score is 7.5 with no individual score less than 6.5.
• The Duolingo English Test. Minimum acceptable score is 140.