Food Laws & Regulations (United States)
Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
12
Total Credits
$867
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Institute for Food Laws and Regulations 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.
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) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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 food laws and regulations.
- Know the roles of the U.S. federal agencies with regulatory oversight of food, in particular the FDA, USDA, and FTC.
- 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 the nature of regulatory affairs as it pertains to food.
- Understand how to optimize working relationships with government officials.
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
To earn a Certificate in United States Food Law, students must successfully complete:
FSC 811 - Food Laws and Regulations in the United States is required.
And no more than one internationally-focused course.
The full list of United States-focused courses applicable to the Certificate in United States Food Law:
FSC 811 Food Laws and Regulations in the United States (3 Credits)
FSC 820 Regulatory Leadership in Food Law (3 Credits)
FSC 821 Wine, Beer, and Spirits Laws and Regulations (3 Credits)
FSC 852 The Law of the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the 12 credits and no more than one internationally-focused course.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must:
Complete a MSU 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
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend submitting applications 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
$867
$1,111
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 Institute for Food Laws and Regulations 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.
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) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
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 food laws and regulations.
- Know the roles of the U.S. federal agencies with regulatory oversight of food, in particular the FDA, USDA, and FTC.
- 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 the nature of regulatory affairs as it pertains to food.
- Understand how to optimize working relationships with government officials.
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
To earn a Certificate in United States Food Law, students must successfully complete:
FSC 811 - Food Laws and Regulations in the United States is required.
And no more than one internationally-focused course.
The full list of United States-focused courses applicable to the Certificate in United States Food Law:
FSC 811 Food Laws and Regulations in the United States (3 Credits)
FSC 820 Regulatory Leadership in Food Law (3 Credits)
FSC 821 Wine, Beer, and Spirits Laws and Regulations (3 Credits)
FSC 852 The Law of the Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the 12 credits and no more than one internationally-focused course.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must:
Complete a MSU 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
Rolling Applications
Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend submitting applications 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
$867
$1,111
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.