Master of Arts in Food Studies

University of the Pacific offers a Master of Arts Degree in Food Studies at its San Francisco campus and online. This multidisciplinary program is designed to train students to master skills necessary for success in food-related professions. Courses range across many disciplines including Anthropology, History, Sociology, and focus on developing mastery in research, writing and policy-making methodologies. The successful student will gain expertise in multiple food policy implementation strategies for use by producers, consumers and law makers. Students will develop exceptional proficiency in evaluating the social, economic, aesthetic and political impact of food choices made by individuals and groups. These skills will equip them for careers in business including marketing, advertising, research and development, for positions in government agencies, NGOs, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, for careers in food writing, social work, lobbying and for advanced work in academia. Courses in the Food Studies program systematically examine the many complexities of the modern food system, the ethical, environmental and health impact of how we grow, process, distribute, and consume food. They explore the historical dimensions of how various cultures have obtained and processed food and beverages, why serious inequalities in access to food still prevail around the world and the role food industries have in shaping the way we eat. The program consists of 32 credits of course work. One of these must be FOOD 201 and three other courses from the foundational core courses numbered 202-208, plus four electives of the students' choice. Students can complete the degree in four semesters with a two course load each semester or they may complete it over a maximum of six years. There is no minimum course load required to remain in the program, but registration and matriculation fees will apply every semester to maintain active status. Grade Point Requirements Candidates for a graduate degree must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. No grade below a B- (2.7) will be counted towards the degree. Thesis and Non Thesis Options In the thesis option (Plan A), students should take the core FOOD 201 during the first year. A prerequisite for writing a thesis is to take FOOD 208. Students must successfully defend their thesis proposal before a committee of two faculty members prior to beginning their thesis research. They will then complete their thesis projects under the supervision of a faculty member in FOOD 299. That faculty member and one outside reader appointed by the program director will evaluate the written thesis. In the non-thesis option (Plan B), students may instead opt to complete the degree requirements by examination, the scheduling and content of which are to be agreed upon by the student and the director. Each examination, including oral and written sections, will be comprehensive and specially tailored to reflect the courses taken by each individual student. A committee of two faculty will oversee the exams.