Food Laws & Regulations (International)
Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
12
Total Credits
$893
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Institute for Food Laws and Regulations (IFLR) at Michigan State University offers food law courses taught online by a network of food science, academic, and legal professionals, who understand the complex nature of food laws and how they impact the flow of food and agricultural products. Students earn a certificate in international or United States food law after successful completion of 12 applicable credits. IFLR also offers a Master of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs.
Most of our students are food sector professionals who work full time while taking one course per semester. Many work at food companies and have a background in food science. We also have many attorneys, and regulators from government bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Ministries of Agriculture from around the world.
A typical course will detail the food regulation practices of a specific subject area such as Codex Alimentarius, or provide a detailed examination of the food laws and regulatory practices of a specific country or region such as the European Union, Canada, or China. Students may earn a “Certificate in International Food Law” after completing twelve qualifying credits (usually four courses).
Program Outcomes
Our students are generally early to mid-career professionals, with titles such as analyst, manager, supervisor, specialist, director, or general counsel, in the areas of compliance, quality assurance, labeling, regulatory affairs, risk mitigation, and crisis management. Our alumni become known as the “go to” person for matters related to food laws and regulations within their organizations.
By successfully completing our courses, students will:
- Understand and be able to apply national and international food laws and regulations.
- Be familiar with the roles of international food agencies, such as the WHO, FAO, Codex, and WTO.
- Be able to locate and use relevant food laws and regulations.
- Improve critical thinking and analytical skills related to the intersection of science and law.
- Be aware of current food law issues and be able to discuss them and write about them.
- Understand how to optimize working relationships with government officials.
- Learn tools of the regulatory craft in controlling risks to the public, solving problems, and managing compliance.
Career Outlook
IFLR’s online graduate students work full time in the food industry. Many report earning a promotion or new position as a direct result of having taken courses through IFLR. According to the 2022 Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) Salary Survey, food scientists and food technologists who move into regulatory specialist positions make $25,750 more on average. Many IFLR certificate holders continue their studies to complete an online Master’s in either Global Food Law or Food Safety with Michigan State University. These programs may accept up to 9 qualifying credits for transfer towards a degree. Please contact those individual programs to learn about their transfer credit policies.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
Neal Fortin
Director, Institute for Food Laws & Regulations
Neal Fortin is an attorney, the director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, and a professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.
Previously, Professor Fortin worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture where he was the primary drafter of the Michigan Food Law of 2000 and manager of the food service regulatory program. As a practicing attorney, Professor Fortin concentrated in food law representing food companies. He is a prolific author and speaker. His textbook, Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy, and Practice, is available from Wiley & Sons. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
Course Information
Three or more credits (one course or more) must be from the following:
Students earn a certificate in United States food law after successful completion of 12 applicable credits (equivalent to 4 courses), with a final grade of 2.0 or higher in each course.
Three or more credits (one course or more) must be from the following:
- FSC 810 International Food Laws and Regulations
- FSC 812 Food Laws and Regulations in the European Union
- FSC 816 International Food Standards, Codex Alimentarius
No more than one U.S.-focused course
The full list of internationally-focused courses applicable to the Certificate in International Food Law:
FSC 810 International Food Laws and Regulations
FSC 812 Food Laws and Regulations in the European Union
FSC 814 Food Laws and Regulations in Canada
FSC 815 Food Laws and Regulations in China
FSC 816 International Food Standards, Codex Alimentarius
FSC 817 Global Animal Health, Food Safety, and International Trade
FSC 820 Regulatory Leadership in Food Law (if completed Fall Semester 2022 or later)
Learning Experiences
Total of 12 credits (four courses) with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each.
Admissions Requirements
Enrollment through MSU’s Lifelong Application.
• No application fee.
• No prerequisite courses or degrees.
• No transcripts from prior study required.
• No GRE required.
• No travel or commute.
• No required book purchases.
• Flexible schedule: courses are asynchronous, participate at your convenience to maintain work/life balance.
• Take the time for deep investigation: students learn more with sustained study than they would in an on-site short course.
• We recommend that students take only one course per semester if they are also working full time.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
To view the latest tuition rate, visit https://ctlr.msu.edu/student-accounts/tuition-calculatorand and select your desired semester. Then:
Field 1: select in- or out-of-state, depending on your location
Field 2: select “Lifelong Student” for your level
Field 5: select “3” for number of credits to calculate the full cost of a 3-credit course
There are no additional student fees associated with Institute for Food Laws and Regulations certificate programs.
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.
Program Overview
The Institute for Food Laws and Regulations (IFLR) at Michigan State University offers food law courses taught online by a network of food science, academic, and legal professionals, who understand the complex nature of food laws and how they impact the flow of food and agricultural products. Students earn a certificate in international or United States food law after successful completion of 12 applicable credits. IFLR also offers a Master of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs.
Most of our students are food sector professionals who work full time while taking one course per semester. Many work at food companies and have a background in food science. We also have many attorneys, and regulators from government bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Ministries of Agriculture from around the world.
A typical course will detail the food regulation practices of a specific subject area such as Codex Alimentarius, or provide a detailed examination of the food laws and regulatory practices of a specific country or region such as the European Union, Canada, or China. Students may earn a “Certificate in International Food Law” after completing twelve qualifying credits (usually four courses).
Program Outcomes
Our students are generally early to mid-career professionals, with titles such as analyst, manager, supervisor, specialist, director, or general counsel, in the areas of compliance, quality assurance, labeling, regulatory affairs, risk mitigation, and crisis management. Our alumni become known as the “go to” person for matters related to food laws and regulations within their organizations.
By successfully completing our courses, students will:
- Understand and be able to apply national and international food laws and regulations.
- Be familiar with the roles of international food agencies, such as the WHO, FAO, Codex, and WTO.
- Be able to locate and use relevant food laws and regulations.
- Improve critical thinking and analytical skills related to the intersection of science and law.
- Be aware of current food law issues and be able to discuss them and write about them.
- Understand how to optimize working relationships with government officials.
- Learn tools of the regulatory craft in controlling risks to the public, solving problems, and managing compliance.
Career Outlook
IFLR’s online graduate students work full time in the food industry. Many report earning a promotion or new position as a direct result of having taken courses through IFLR. According to the 2022 Institute for Food Technologists (IFT) Salary Survey, food scientists and food technologists who move into regulatory specialist positions make $25,750 more on average. Many IFLR certificate holders continue their studies to complete an online Master’s in either Global Food Law or Food Safety with Michigan State University. These programs may accept up to 9 qualifying credits for transfer towards a degree. Please contact those individual programs to learn about their transfer credit policies.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
Neal Fortin
Director, Institute for Food Laws & Regulations
Neal Fortin is an attorney, the director of the Institute for Food Laws & Regulations, and a professor in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University.
Previously, Professor Fortin worked for the Michigan Department of Agriculture where he was the primary drafter of the Michigan Food Law of 2000 and manager of the food service regulatory program. As a practicing attorney, Professor Fortin concentrated in food law representing food companies. He is a prolific author and speaker. His textbook, Food Regulation: Law, Science, Policy, and Practice, is available from Wiley & Sons. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
Course Information
Three or more credits (one course or more) must be from the following:
Students earn a certificate in United States food law after successful completion of 12 applicable credits (equivalent to 4 courses), with a final grade of 2.0 or higher in each course.
Three or more credits (one course or more) must be from the following:
- FSC 810 International Food Laws and Regulations
- FSC 812 Food Laws and Regulations in the European Union
- FSC 816 International Food Standards, Codex Alimentarius
No more than one U.S.-focused course
The full list of internationally-focused courses applicable to the Certificate in International Food Law:
FSC 810 International Food Laws and Regulations
FSC 812 Food Laws and Regulations in the European Union
FSC 814 Food Laws and Regulations in Canada
FSC 815 Food Laws and Regulations in China
FSC 816 International Food Standards, Codex Alimentarius
FSC 817 Global Animal Health, Food Safety, and International Trade
FSC 820 Regulatory Leadership in Food Law (if completed Fall Semester 2022 or later)
Learning Experiences
Total of 12 credits (four courses) with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each.
Admissions Requirements
Enrollment through MSU’s Lifelong Application.
• No application fee.
• No prerequisite courses or degrees.
• No transcripts from prior study required.
• No GRE required.
• No travel or commute.
• No required book purchases.
• Flexible schedule: courses are asynchronous, participate at your convenience to maintain work/life balance.
• Take the time for deep investigation: students learn more with sustained study than they would in an on-site short course.
• We recommend that students take only one course per semester if they are also working full time.
Key Dates
This program accepts rolling applications. Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
To view the latest tuition rate, visit https://ctlr.msu.edu/student-accounts/tuition-calculatorand and select your desired semester. Then:
Field 1: select in- or out-of-state, depending on your location
Field 2: select “Lifelong Student” for your level
Field 5: select “3” for number of credits to calculate the full cost of a 3-credit course
There are no additional student fees associated with Institute for Food Laws and Regulations certificate programs.
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.
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.