Burlington waterfront at sunset

How To Apply

The application deadline for the Food Systems PhD program is January 15.

The priority deadline for funding consideration for the Food Systems MS program is January 15. Applications received by this deadline will be considered for any funding opportunites, including the Innovation Fellowships, as well as several scholarships that are available for students beginning the Master's program in Fall 2020. 

The application deadline for the MS program without consideration for funding is April 1.   

If you are currently enrolled as an undergraduate and interested in the Accelerated Master's program (AMP), please contact Allison Spain.

All applications and materials, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, must be submitted through the UVM Graduate Admissions online application. Please carefully review the instructions before completing the application.

  • Tips for Writing the Statement of Purpose

    MS & AMP Applicants:

    • Give us an example of a project either in school or in a professional setting that required you to work independently
    • Explain your knowledge of and experience in food systems
    • Explain your specific interests and why you believe that UVM has the resources and faculty available to fit your interests
    • Describe your prior exposure to or interest in interdisciplinary thinking

    PhD Applicants:

    • Explain your knowledge of and experience in food systems
    • Explain your specific interests and why you believe that UVM has the resources and faculty available to fit your interests
    • Describe your prior exposure to or interest in interdisciplinary thinking

    In addition to the statement of purpose, please submit a separate 1-2 paragraph research statement (as a miscellaneous attachment), outlining your research interests and trajectory. You should also give us an example of research that you accomplished either in school or in a professional setting.

     

    Funding the Master's

    Apply to become a Food Systems Innovation Fellow. Details here (PDF)
    When resources allow, we provide temporary research and instructional assistant positions.  Students are notified about these opportunities when they are announced.

    Current Graduate Student Program tuition rates and fees. Please note that the Food Systems Graduate Program is approved for Alternate Pricing so the rate for out-of-state students is $1,070 per credit. The rate for in-state students is $683 per credit.

    Funding the PhD

    Our program does not provide funding for all students in the same manner. Rather funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. All accepted students will be offered tuition and stipend for a minimum of three years. Please contact Allison Spain for more information.

    Cost of Living

    Average rent for a one bedroom apartment: $1,356
    Average rent for a two bedroom apartment: $1,484
    Food: $350 per month
    Personal/Misc. Expenses: $220 per month
    Cable/Internet: $65 per month
    Utilities (elec, heat, water, garbage): $185 per month

    Search for Off-campus Housing

     

UVM Food Systems Graduate Program from RETN on Vimeo.

 

Students in foods lab

Admissions Requirements

  • GPA of 3.0 or higher

  • Completion of a college-level statistics course

  • 3 letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic colleagues

  • Completion of the GRE (MS & PhD applicants only)

  • Faculty letter of support (AMP & PhD applicants only)

  • AMP Permission Form (AMP applicants only)

  • TOEFL exam if you are an international student

  • PhD applicants only: 1-2 paragraph research statement (see tips for writing statement of purpose)

Questions?

For program-related questions, please contact Allison Spain, Food Systems Graduate Program Administrator

For questions about the online application, please contact the Graduate Admissions Office. Application materials can be mailed or faxed to the following address:

The Graduate College Admissions Offices
The University of Vermont
330 Waterman Building
Burlington, VT 05405-0160
Telephone: (802) 656-2699
Fax: (802) 656-0519