Agriculture MS – Food Science and Management Option
Application Deadline
- Spring: October 1
- Summer: March 1
- Fall: June 1
Class begins
- Spring: January 10, 2022
- Summer: May 9, 2022
- Fall: August 22, 2022
Degree Awarded
Master of Science
in Agriculture
WSU College
College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences
Enhance Your Skills. Energize Your Career.
WSU’s Master of Science in Agriculture (MSAG) program, offered entirely online, is designed for agricultural professionals, practitioners, and educators who wish to gain knowledge and skills and boost their careers. The program’s flexible, fully-online format is ideal for working professionals who want to achieve their academic and career goals with continuing with their careers. The MSAG food science and management option combines WSU’s world-renowned food-science graduate program with courses in executive management and law.
What You’ll Learn
The food science and management option provides students with a solid core curriculum in agricultural science focusing on valuable practical knowledge and skills for agricultural professionals. You will also take courses specializing in food science, food industry practices, business and management. This combination of science and business courses means that you will be uniquely qualified to meet the increasing demand for managers who understand science and research as well as business and industry economics.
Courses range from statistics to toxicology, from organizational management to microbiology to leadership. Upon graduating, you will have a deep understanding of the scientific and technical aspects of food research, development, manufacturing and quality control. You will also have an extensive knowledge of industry standards, management practices and food law, policy and regulatory compliance.
WSU Agriculture Food Science & Management Plan Program Strengths
- WSU has a rich history of excellence in agricultural education. Our scientists and graduates have literally changed the world by improving the food supply.
- Regional students can augment their education with face-to-face learning at WSU four research centers, and network with allied area employers.
- WSU’s renowned agriculture faculty members from the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences have a wealth of professional experience and technical knowledge ready to pass on to you. They are passionate about engaging with online students and providing them with an educational experience tailored for the fully-online format.
Get Started
To apply for the program, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in a related area, such as biology, chemistry, or food science with a 3.0 or better GPA. No GRE is required. Access the admission application on the WSU Graduate School Admissions webpage. Please be advised that the graduate school application deadlines may differ from those for this degree.
If you have questions about the degree, please contact Lisa Lujan at llujan@wsu.edu or 509-335-9542.
Program of Study—30 semester credits
All courses are available online
The degree requires 30 credits minimum (26 graded credits, and 4 research credits)
6 credits
- AGRI 587, Research and Extension in Agriculture (3 credits)
- STAT 412, Statistical Methods in Research I (3 credits)
11 credits minimum
- FS 504, Food Quality Management (3 credits)
- FS 509, Principles of Environmental Toxicology (3 credits)
- FS 510, Functional Foods and Health (3 credits)
- FS 515, Food Fermentations: Microbiology and Technology (3 credits)
- FS 516, Food Laws (2 credits)
- FS 531, Advanced Food Safety and Quality (3 credits)
- FS 536, Principles of Sustainability (3 credits)
- FS 564, Food Toxicology (3 credits)
6 credits minimum
With prior approval of Program Director, other applicable management courses may be considered.
- ECONS 505, Economics for Agricultural Decision Making (3 credits)
- E_M 522, Leading People and Organizations (3 credits)
- E_M 564, Project Management (3 credits)
4 credits minimum
- AGRI 702, Master’s Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination. A minimum of four credits are required; you must be enrolled in 2 credits of 702 in the term of your final exam. Project and examination requirements are explained in detail in the MSAG Student Handbook.