Michigan State University’s Online Food Safety Program

Food safety professionals are in the field inspecting, analyzing and protecting the global food supply. At Michigan State University (MSU), we educate food safety leaders on how to track, trend and locate the source of foodborne illness outbreaks and other hazards with a science-driven curriculum.

The MSU Master of Science (MS) in Food Safety degree program pioneers modern distance learning. Established in 2002, the program operates entirely online, providing food safety professionals the flexibility to earn an advanced degree at their own pace while balancing their professional responsibilities in the field.

The core curriculum for the 30-credit hour master’s degree is based heavily in the sciences with an additional food law requirement. Elective choices offer students flexibility to tailor their program to meet their interests and career goals. Some students choose to focus their electives on food law, packaging or public health, and in some cases, students can obtain a certificate in these specialties.

The degree concludes with a non-thesis applied project series in which students are encouraged to connect their project topic with a food safety element or concern that they face in their current job position. The final project can be in the form of a consultative report, literature review, research paper or development of an educational or training curriculum.

The program’s courses immediately apply to students’ current positions while laying the groundwork for their advancement into food safety leadership positions. Students also engage in course discussions and activities aimed at fostering professional networking and peer-to-peer learning. This approach encourages collaboration and learning across various functions within the food industry, including labs, processing plants, fieldwork and markets, mitigating the isolated nature often associated with their specialized work.

Ensuring safe food for all involves a combination of good practices at every stage of the food supply chain, from production and processing to distribution and consumption. Wherever your job lies in the food system, the MSU MS program will empower you with the knowledge and tools to tackle any challenge, regardless of scale. Join our community of dedicated scientists committed to shaping a safer, more innovative, and sustainable food landscape. Become a Spartan of global food safety.

For more information, visit: foodsafety.msu.edu