Dr. Amy Radford-Popp
Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director for the School of Packaging
She serves as the administrative supervisor of graduate studies, overseeing all components of graduate education, and promoting academic quality and integrity. Her role oversees the full life-cycle of our graduate student experience including: the recruitment of new and prospective students, student support and advising, the promotion of professional identity development, scholarship management, and experiential learning opportunities, to persistence efforts and preparation for graduation. As an inclusive leader and advocate, she prioritizes the importance of creating a culture of inclusion, belonging, wellness, and respect. Dr. Radford-Popp holds a Ph.D. in higher, adult and lifelong education from Michigan State University.
Program Overview
The mission of the Masters of Sciences within the School of Packaging at Michigan State University is to educate packaging professionals and to create innovative solutions that enhance or maintain product quality, increase packing efficiency and reduce waste. In doing so, we contribute to the economic development and quality of life of citizens within the State of Michigan and across the world through highly relevant educational experiences and cutting-edge research. More than half of all packaging graduates employed in the U.S. come from Michigan State. Throughout more than six decades of dynamic development, the MSU School of Packaging has built significant research expertise and earned national and international recognition in physical distribution and protective packaging. The School of Packaging was the first to develop a graduate Master's degree program in Packaging Science and still today is the only one offering a Ph.D. in Packaging Science.
Program Outcomes
Through the core required courses, Master of Science (MS) in packaging students will gain in-depth knowledge in three major packaging areas: plastics packaging, distribution dynamics, and permeability and shelf-life. Electives offer the ability to further explore specific areas of interest, either in packaging-specific offerings or through coursework in related areas. Michigan State University online students will gain experience in applying mathematics, science and technology to packaging-related problems, assessing the suitability of packaging materials and designs for specific applications, and in critically evaluating new knowledge presented in the scientific literature.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the MSU School of Packaging are sought after by employers in the United States and internationally. Few graduate students leave the packaging MS online program without at least one job offer in hand. Graduates with advanced graduate degrees are more likely to go into education, research, or management positions than those with bachelor's degrees, and less likely to go into production positions. A wide variety of types of companies employ graduates with advanced degrees.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 29th among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2026
- Veteran-Friendly 'Gold Status' 10 Years in a Row — Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, 2025
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$1000
$1000
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 on the "Estimate Your Cost of Attendance" page.