Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences

The Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM) is a state-of-the-art research facility with a primary focus on advancing knowledge in the realms of health, body composition, and human performance. The ISSM is the result of a collaborative partnership between the FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, FSU Athletics, College of Medicine, Nike, and our esteemed founding partner, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. Established in 2010, the ISSM has conducted a wide array of studies, spanning from elite athletes to clinical populations. Our research endeavors are structured around six distinct domains:

1. Performance Nutrition
2. Sports Science/Athletics Research
3. Clinical Research
4. Translational Immunology
5. Orthopedic/Sports Medicine Research
6. Sport Psychology

The Center of Integrative Nutrition and Food Research (CINFR) aims to foster and enhance student education and training in integrative nutrition and food sciences, fostering a learning environment where knowledge, experience, and expertise in food safety and quality, nutrient analysis, microbiome sciences, chronic diseases, and dietary interventions are developed and widely shared. CINFR aims to generate and disseminate novel insights from food and nutrition research practice at university, national, and international levels through event organization and publication.

The mission of the Health Professions Learning Community is to provide unique programs, service learning initiatives, on-site academic advising, social and educational opportunities for pre-health profession students in a strong community environment.

The HPLC brings together students pursuing careers in allied health, athletic training, dentistry, medicine, physical/occupational therapy and other health-related professions in a dynamic, engaging environment. This community strives to foster the exploration of these professions through academic courses, social and educational programming, unique services and connections to campus and community resources.

Previous medical shadowing experiences include dermatology, wound care, urology, pediatrics, pediatric physical therapy, pharmacy, dietetics, veterinary medicine, internal medicine, nursing, chiropractic, emergency medicine, dentistry, surgery, optometry, OB/GYN, radiology, primary care, occupational therapy, orthodontics, cardiology, community health, medical response unit, FORCE student group, athletic training, and sports medicine observations.

Academic Offerings

Contact Information

 Click here to learn more about living-learning communities at FSU and apply.

• HNFS Graduate Student Handbook [ 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 | 2021-22 ]
• HNFS Graduate Course Request Form for Defenses and Exams
• HNFS Graduate Course Request Form for All Other
• HNFS Travel Authorization Form 

Graduate assistantships are awarded through the department.

Teaching Assistantship (TA)

Each department determines the review process for selection of students to receive a Teaching Assistantship (TA).  The Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences (HNFS) has an online TA application that is open only to current students and those formally admitted to FSU. A new application must be submitted each academic year. Please note that there are a limited number of TA positions and that preference will be given to doctoral students. If selected for a teaching assistantship, the department will send you an offer letter for the appropriate timeframe.

Click here to apply.

Research Assistantships (RA)

Research Assistantships (RA) are determined by the research faculty member in conjunction with the department chair. If you are an HNFS doctoral student or a doctoral applicant, please directly contact the appropriate research faculty member(s) to see if funding and space in the lab is available. All current master’s students considering the thesis route may also contact the appropriate HNFS faculty member(s). If selected for a research assistantship, the department will send you an offer letter for the appropriate timeframe.

Note: Graduate Assistantships in Strength and Conditioning (that work with the athletes) are handled by the Athletic Department and not the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences.

A departmental orientation has been created for newly admitted graduate students to the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Food Sciences (HNFS) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. It will be held in two sessions: an online asynchronous session and an in-person session. Information provided in each session is distinct, and you must attend both.  You will learn about academic expectations, campus, and community resources. Whether you are attending a university in the U.S. for the first time or are an FSU alumnus, the graduate student experience is filled with challenges and rewards. We are here to support you during your journey to becoming a successful professional in your field of study.

Requisite Student Orientations
The departmental orientation is one of several orientations that will be required. Please take a moment to view the Start-Up Activities schedule . We ask that you dress “business casual” for in-person events. Please note that the weather in Florida is variable, and temperature inside buildings can fluctuate (we recommend you bring an umbrella and a sweater/light coat).

Students are required to be present in Tallahassee the week before classes begin.

Fall 2025
Info will be posted in early July.

Spring 2025
The HNFS orientation Session I will be offered virtually as a self-paced online Canvas course. Your activated FSU ID will allow us to invite you to the Canvas orientation course. The course will open on 2 December 2024 and must be completed by 5:00pm EST on 13 December 2024. Please allow time to complete all modules successfully; the total viewing time is around two (2) hours, and this does not include the quizzes or assignments.

Preparing for the Orientation
All Master’s and Doctoral Students admitted to programs in HNFS should successfully complete the departmental orientation before registering for classes.
Find out more about Canvas, the FSU software that we deliver courses through.

Orientation Contacts

Dr. Michael Ormsbee
Professor, HNFS Graduate Program Director
mormsbee@fsu.edu 
430 SAN

Tara Hartman
Graduate Academic Program Specialist
Office of Academic Services & Intern Support (OASIS)
thartman@fsu.edu 
850.644.7221
242-B SAN