- Understand the interconnectedness between planetary health and our future food systems, with an emphasis on issues of climate change, renewable resources, waste reduction, responsible sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and healthy oceans and sustainable fisheries.
- Hone the leadership skills essential to create change and achieve impact鈥攆rom the local to the global level. Transform food systems through small, grassroots initiatives and from within large organizations by influencing change up, down, and across departments. Drive reform and influence mindsets to inspire and create sustainable business models for the future.
- Examine institutional and public policies that address issues of diversity and inclusion, class disparity, labor justice, and race and gender inequality within the food system.
- Informed by the contributions of an external Advisory Council, comprised of leaders in sustainability and organizational strategy from top companies, foundations, and nonprofits鈥攎any looking for changemakers to help lead their organizations into the future鈥攊ncluding Food at Google, Oatly, Panera, the James Beard Foundation, Zero Hunger | Zero Waste by Kroger, Good Food, FutureTable, and Wholesome Wave.
- Taught by a select group of the nation鈥檚 most talented leaders in food systems change鈥攊ncluding CIA faculty, adjunct faculty, and guest lecturers鈥攖his is the only master鈥檚 degree that approaches sustainability issues through a culinary lens鈥攖hrough the people who grow food, distribute food, prepare food, serve food, and impact the broader community through food.
- No reason to put your career on hold. Online classes taught by our expert faculty provide schedule flexibility for busy working professionals.
- Get real-life, field experience at short, immersive, in-person residencies that explore the characteristics of food systems on the West Coast (San Francisco Bay Area) and East Coast (New York City and Hudson Valley).
Cultivate Your Career and Change the World
The CIA Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Food Systems degree is designed for professionals who aspire to champion sustainability innovations for non-profits and corporations, help existing organizations turn ideas into actions, and drive change around the health of the planet and its people.
Whether forging a new professional path or growing within a current role, this program is perfect for people looking to advance their careers in the following areas and beyond:
- Agricultural specialist
- Supply chain management
- Environmental lobbyist
- Farmer advocate
- Food and/or nutrition educator
- Food writer
- Product developer
- Sustainability program manager
- Innovation manager
- Registered Dietitian
- Farm-to-Table Program Director
- Policy director
Curriculum
The two-year, 30-credit Sustainable Food Systems master鈥檚 degree program includes:
- 27 credits in asynchronous online courses covering subjects such as sustainability and climate change; sustainable agriculture; food system innovation; leadership and impact; as well as a final capstone project developed in collaboration with faculty advisors and mentors.
- 3 credits consisting of two short residencies held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Hudson Valley and New York held in your first and third semesters.
