Sustainable Food Systems, MS

Program Overview

The Sustainable Food Systems MS program equips students with knowledge and skills to create a more just and resilient global food system. It features immersive experiences in Arizona and Washington, D.C., and offers a focus on leadership development and solutions-based thinking. Graduates are prepared for careers in food policy, sustainability management, and other related fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview

Title:

Sustainable Food Systems, MS

Offered by:

School of Sustainability, College of Global Futures

Overall Objective:

• To equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the creation of a more just and resilient global food system.

Program Description:

• This research-oriented program focuses on:
• Understanding current health, agriculture, and environmental policy
• Developing strategies for effective policy discussions
• Building a network of leaders and mentors in the field
• Applying knowledge and skills to address real-world food system problems

Highlights:

• A focus on developing leadership skills and solutions-based thinking
• Two unique immersive experiences:
• A week-long visit in Arizona to interact with farmers, ranchers, and supply chain businesses
• A week-long seminar in Washington, D.C. to gain leadership skills and dialogue with food policy leaders

Overall Outcome:

• Graduates will be prepared to work towards a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient food system for the future.

Outline

Program Structure:

• 30 credit hours total, including a culminating capstone course
• 21 credit hours of required core courses
• 6 credit hours of electives
• 3 credit hours of culminating experience

Required Core Courses:

• SOS 508 Pathways to Sustainability
• SOS 509 Leading Sustainability Transitions
• SFS 560 Tools and Tactics for Food Policy Change
• SFS 561 Food and Farm Immersion Experience
• SFS 563 Applied Food Policy Immersion Experience
• SFS 564 American Agriculture in the Global Context
• SFS 565 Organizational Leadership

Electives:

• Students can choose 6 credit hours of electives to tailor the program to their interests.

Culminating Experience:

• All students complete a 3-credit capstone course (SFS 596) to demonstrate their learning and apply their skills to a real-world food system challenge.

Unique Approaches:

• The program incorporates two unique immersive experiences:
• A week-long visit to Arizona to interact with food system stakeholders
• A week-long seminar in Washington, D.C. to learn leadership skills and engage with policy leaders

Careers

Career Opportunities:

• Chief sustainability officer
• Food policy analyst
• Policy director
• Sustainability manager

Career Outcomes:

• 100% of master's program respondents in the School of Sustainability's 2022 alumni employment survey are either employed or pursuing further education.
• 100% of employed graduates work in sustainability-related fields.

Other

Global Opportunities:

• Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students.
• Faculty-directed programs and exchange programs offer global learning opportunities.
• The program aligns with the School of Sustainability's commitment to addressing global challenges through research, education, and outreach.
• Students can apply for funding to support global learning experiences.