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).
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:
Most of 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 of Science in Food Regulatory Affairs with Michigan State University. Students may request to transfer up to 9 qualifying credits towards a degree. Please contact iflr@msu.edu to learn more those individual programs to learn about their transfer credit policies
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.
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 since 1855.
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 since 1998. 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.
• 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.