Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems

Degree Type
Master of Science

OVERVIEW

The Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems (MSFS) is 36 credits in length.

The Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems is an experience that combines a vibrant online learning environment with the skills, support, knowledge, and networks to help students become leaders. In the movements to establish food justice, strong regional food economies, sustainable diets, restorative agroecological approaches to food production, and food policy, students will influence sustainable food systems change across sectors. Designed to be completed in one year (full time) or two years (part time), the program centers equity and knowledge diversity. All students complete a final Capstone project.

Recognizing the complex role food systems play in transformative change, the MSFS program offers optional concentrations in Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity, Food Justice, and Food Entrepreneurship. Students who wish to complete the MSFS program with a concentration will take 27 credit hours of core courses and select nine credit hours of specialized courses for their electives.  Note: Students using Veterans Administration (VA) benefits may not pursue individualized concentrations or emphases options and must choose from prescribed concentration or emphasis titles approved by the Arizona State Approving Agency.

Primary Objective: The M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems at Prescott College supports students as leaders, learners, and changemakers. With a commitment to peer-learning, equity, inclusion, and diverse ways of knowing, the program centers complexity thinking, interdisciplinary perspectives, robust scholarship, and bioregional engagement as foundations for facilitating sustainable food systems change.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Recognize sustainable food systems as a complex system with historical and bioregional perspectives.

2. Identify agroecological approaches to food production and ecosystem services.

3. Characterize and analyze elements that constitute a food system.

4. Recognize challenges and identify opportunities for supporting sustainable food systems and policy change.

5.  Develop ideological positions and inclusive strategies for sustainable food systems.

REQUIREMENTS

  • 36 Credits
  • Online Orientation

Capstone

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

Electives

Choose any three of the following (other courses may be approved by the program director)

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
9

OPTIONAL CONCENTRATIONS

Sustainable Diets and Biodiversity: For students working in nutrition, culinary nutrition, public health and related fields where knowledge of diverse diets with low environmental impacts can play an important role in ensuring food and nutrition security. Requires nine credits of context courses

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
9

Food Justice

For students who seek to make global, industrial food systems more equitable and just. Food justice articulates a community’s ability to acquire healthy food (food access) with its right to define its own food systems (food sovereignty). Requires nine credits of context courses.

Students may choose MASJC50005 OR MASJC50004

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12

Food Entrepreneurship

For students interested in food system change through self-employment or other entrepreneurial endeavors seeking knowledge about how businesses can play an important role in ensuring food and nutrition security. Requires nine credits of context courses.

Students may choose SBM57510 OR SBM57501

Students may choose ENV57955 OR SBM80000

Item #
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
15
Total Credits
36