Food Safety
Master of Science
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$991
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The demand for professionals with expertise in food safety science is growing rapidly. The Online MS in Food Safety program provides working professionals with core curriculum featuring multi-disciplinary sciences while also including food law components. Elective choices offer students flexibility to tailor their program to meet their interests and career goals. Additionally, students complete a non-thesis applied project that connects to the work they do daily. The programs courses are immediately applicable to students' current positions while, at the same time, preparing them for future leadership roles within food regulation and the industry. Additionally, students use elements such as course discussions and activities that encourage professional networking and peer-to-peer learning that helps bridge the siloed nature of their specialist roles as they work with colleagues across roles in labs, processing plants, fieldwork, and markets.
Why this master's program?
- Upon completion, you will attain an advanced degree from a respected, accredited Big-Ten institution
- Fully online, asynchronous study allows for flexibility
- Designed for mid-career/mid-management working professionals
- Consists of ten 3-credit courses to equal a 30-credit hour program
- Average time to degree = 3 years
- Non-thesis professional science masters: Plan-B applied food safety project
- Accredited through, Michigan State University, Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association, AVMA Council on Education (COE) through the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Affiliate of the Professional Science Masters
Program Outcomes
After this program, students will:
- Be able to work collaboratively with experts in their field
- Effectively evaluate and manage a broad range of currently available food safety information
- Understand and evaluate new and emerging technologies as they arise
- Utilize a deeper understanding of core sciences including food borne microbiology, toxicology, & epidemiology
- Lead food safety efforts to address new concerns such as allergens, preventive controls, food packaging, emerging food borne pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety culture
- Demonstrate use of critical thinking, organizational and leadership skills
- Solve food safety problems by identifying effective and efficient processes in an ever-changing food safety industry
- Be able to connect food safety regulations to the science behind them
Career Outlook
Graduates of our program typically move up or on in their respective field, with many alumni receiving promotional opportunities within the first year after completing the degree. The majority of program alumni represent industry and others work in government or military positions. Graduates represent over 300 organizations and work in 41 US states and 20+ countries.
Some titles of MS in Food Safety alumni include:
- Quality Manager
- Director of Food Safety
- Research Microbiologist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- USDA or FDA Inspector
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Patty Weber
Director of Food Safety Online Program
Dr. Patty Weber has worked on the MSU campus for 30+ years. She is passionate about both teaching and research and numerous undergraduate and graduate students have benefited from Dr. Weber’s guidance as a research project mentor or a graduate committee member.
Course Information
Core
VM 810 - Intro to Food Safety Professional Development (3 Credits)
VM 811 - Evolution and Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens (3 Credits)
VM 812 - Food Safety Toxicology (3 Credits)
VM 815 - Applied Project in Food Safety (3 Credits)
VM 830 - Food Safety Research Methods (3 Credits)
VM 831 - Foodborne Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
Choose one of the following FSC courses:
FSC 810 - International Food Laws & Regulations (3 Credits)
FSC 811 - U.S. Food Laws & Regulations (3 Credits)
Elective
Choose nine credits of the following:
VM 814 - Packaging for Food Safety (3 Credits)
VM 821 - Food Protection & Defense (3 Credits)
VM 825 - Quantifying Food Risk (3 Credits)
VM 826 – Creating a Food Safety Culture (3 credits)
VM 827 - FSMA/HACCP (3 Credits)
VM 834 - Current Issues in Food Safety (1-9 Credits)
VM 840 - Anti-Counterfeit Strategy (3 Credits)
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
Or equivalent degree from an accredited and recognized college or university - 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Completed coursework
At least six (6) credits of college level biological sciences, three (3) of which are in microbiology (a 300-level course or higher is recommended) Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of no less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale - Previous work experience
Résumé - Two years of work experience in a food-related field - Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Transcripts should come directly from the academic institution, and must arrive in a sealed, official envelope.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
April 15th
Spring
Application Deadline
September 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$962
$962
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The demand for professionals with expertise in food safety science is growing rapidly. The Online MS in Food Safety program provides working professionals with core curriculum featuring multi-disciplinary sciences while also including food law components. Elective choices offer students flexibility to tailor their program to meet their interests and career goals. Additionally, students complete a non-thesis applied project that connects to the work they do daily. The programs courses are immediately applicable to students' current positions while, at the same time, preparing them for future leadership roles within food regulation and the industry. Additionally, students use elements such as course discussions and activities that encourage professional networking and peer-to-peer learning that helps bridge the siloed nature of their specialist roles as they work with colleagues across roles in labs, processing plants, fieldwork, and markets.
Why this master's program?
- Upon completion, you will attain an advanced degree from a respected, accredited Big-Ten institution
- Fully online, asynchronous study allows for flexibility
- Designed for mid-career/mid-management working professionals
- Consists of ten 3-credit courses to equal a 30-credit hour program
- Average time to degree = 3 years
- Non-thesis professional science masters: Plan-B applied food safety project
- Accredited through, Michigan State University, Higher Learning Commission-North Central Association, AVMA Council on Education (COE) through the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Affiliate of the Professional Science Masters
Program Outcomes
After this program, students will:
- Be able to work collaboratively with experts in their field
- Effectively evaluate and manage a broad range of currently available food safety information
- Understand and evaluate new and emerging technologies as they arise
- Utilize a deeper understanding of core sciences including food borne microbiology, toxicology, & epidemiology
- Lead food safety efforts to address new concerns such as allergens, preventive controls, food packaging, emerging food borne pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety culture
- Demonstrate use of critical thinking, organizational and leadership skills
- Solve food safety problems by identifying effective and efficient processes in an ever-changing food safety industry
- Be able to connect food safety regulations to the science behind them
Career Outlook
Graduates of our program typically move up or on in their respective field, with many alumni receiving promotional opportunities within the first year after completing the degree. The majority of program alumni represent industry and others work in government or military positions. Graduates represent over 300 organizations and work in 41 US states and 20+ countries.
Some titles of MS in Food Safety alumni include:
- Quality Manager
- Director of Food Safety
- Research Microbiologist
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- USDA or FDA Inspector
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Patty Weber
Director of Food Safety Online Program
Dr. Patty Weber has worked on the MSU campus for 30+ years. She is passionate about both teaching and research and numerous undergraduate and graduate students have benefited from Dr. Weber’s guidance as a research project mentor or a graduate committee member.
Course Information
Core
VM 810 - Intro to Food Safety Professional Development (3 Credits)
VM 811 - Evolution and Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens (3 Credits)
VM 812 - Food Safety Toxicology (3 Credits)
VM 815 - Applied Project in Food Safety (3 Credits)
VM 830 - Food Safety Research Methods (3 Credits)
VM 831 - Foodborne Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
Choose one of the following FSC courses:
FSC 810 - International Food Laws & Regulations (3 Credits)
FSC 811 - U.S. Food Laws & Regulations (3 Credits)
Elective
Choose nine credits of the following:
VM 814 - Packaging for Food Safety (3 Credits)
VM 821 - Food Protection & Defense (3 Credits)
VM 825 - Quantifying Food Risk (3 Credits)
VM 826 – Creating a Food Safety Culture (3 credits)
VM 827 - FSMA/HACCP (3 Credits)
VM 834 - Current Issues in Food Safety (1-9 Credits)
VM 840 - Anti-Counterfeit Strategy (3 Credits)
Admission Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
Or equivalent degree from an accredited and recognized college or university - 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Completed coursework
At least six (6) credits of college level biological sciences, three (3) of which are in microbiology (a 300-level course or higher is recommended) Cumulative undergraduate grade point average of no less than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale - Previous work experience
Résumé - Two years of work experience in a food-related field - Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
- Transcripts should come directly from the academic institution, and must arrive in a sealed, official envelope.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
April 15th
Spring
Application Deadline
September 15th
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$962
$962
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.