Food Safety
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
12
Total Credits
$991
Credit Hour
1.5 years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The demand for professionals with expertise in food safety science is growing rapidly. Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Food Safety complete three core science courses centered on foodborne pathogens, toxicology, and epidemiology plus one approved food safety-related elective. These courses are available to concurrent graduate students or to Lifelong Education students. The certificate courses are immediately applicable to students current positions while, at the same time, preparing them for future leadership roles within food regulation and industry.
Why this certificate program?
- Obtain a transcript certificate from an accredited Big Ten institution
- Fully online, asynchronous study
- Designed for mid-career/mid-management working professionals who are not seeking a degree
- Consists of four 3-credit courses to equal a 12-credit hour program
- Average time to certificate = 4 semesters or 16 months
- 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:
- Develop a deeper understanding of core food safety 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
- Solve food safety problems by identifying effective and efficient processes in an ever-changing food safety industry
Career Outlook
Graduates of our program typically move up or on in their respective field. Most of the people pursuing this certificate work in industry and others work in government or military positions and are non-degree seeking.
Titles of Certificate in Food Safety alumni include:
- Quality and Regulatory Compliance Director
- Food Safety Manager
- SQF Coordinator
- Quality Manager
- Staff Veterinarian
- Senior Scientist
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 811 - Evolution and Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens (3 Credits)
VM 812 - Food Safety Toxicology (3 Credits)
VM 831 - Foodborne Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
Elective
Choose three 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 & Product Protection (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 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
- Current résumé or CV
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
$991
$991
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. Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Food Safety complete three core science courses centered on foodborne pathogens, toxicology, and epidemiology plus one approved food safety-related elective. These courses are available to concurrent graduate students or to Lifelong Education students. The certificate courses are immediately applicable to students current positions while, at the same time, preparing them for future leadership roles within food regulation and industry.
Why this certificate program?
- Obtain a transcript certificate from an accredited Big Ten institution
- Fully online, asynchronous study
- Designed for mid-career/mid-management working professionals who are not seeking a degree
- Consists of four 3-credit courses to equal a 12-credit hour program
- Average time to certificate = 4 semesters or 16 months
- 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:
- Develop a deeper understanding of core food safety 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
- Solve food safety problems by identifying effective and efficient processes in an ever-changing food safety industry
Career Outlook
Graduates of our program typically move up or on in their respective field. Most of the people pursuing this certificate work in industry and others work in government or military positions and are non-degree seeking.
Titles of Certificate in Food Safety alumni include:
- Quality and Regulatory Compliance Director
- Food Safety Manager
- SQF Coordinator
- Quality Manager
- Staff Veterinarian
- Senior Scientist
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 811 - Evolution and Ecology of Foodborne Pathogens (3 Credits)
VM 812 - Food Safety Toxicology (3 Credits)
VM 831 - Foodborne Disease Epidemiology (3 Credits)
Elective
Choose three 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 & Product Protection (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 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
- Current résumé or CV
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
$991
$991
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.
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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.