This certificate is designed for working professionals and graduate students interested in food policy as it relates to the safety and quality of foods. Featuring a curriculum that’s aligned with local, state and national health and safety initiatives, including the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations, this program focuses on the downstream evaluation of the production, processing and preparation of food and food products. You’ll also learn about quality systems and how to assess food safety hazards, such as waterborne and food pathogen outbreaks.
Earn a master’s degree through stackable certificates
This graduate certificate can stand alone or serve as a main certificate toward a Master of Advanced Study. To complete the degree, you’ll stack a second 15-credit graduate certificate. This opportunity allows you to design a program tailored to your career goals and interests.
When admitted, connect with your academic advisor about stackable MAS options.
Does completing this result in National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certification?
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) certification is needed to pursue a career as a registered sanitarian or food safety and protection inspector. While this certificate helps to prepare you to sit for food safety certification exams, it doesn’t automatically result in certification. It’s important to note that other required criteria, such as experience, fieldwork and background checks, must be met to sit for the exam.
What’s the difference between this graduate certificate and a food safety master’s?
While this graduate certificate provides an overview of important food safety and protection knowledge, it differs from a comprehensive master’s program. This certificate is designed for working professionals or graduate students who want to take specialized food safety courses.
Differently, the Master of Science in regulatory science with a concentration in food safety offers these same food safety courses, with the addition of six in-depth regulatory science courses that focus on the overall regulatory structure, authority and regulations of the FDA. Regulatory science courses provide the knowledge to develop new approaches and tools to assess the safety, quality, performance and efficacy of all FDA products.
Do you want to learn more about this program and other graduate health programs offered by the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation? Register now for an upcoming live, virtual information session.

The food safety system within the U.S. is complex. Arizona State University’s graduate certificate in food safety and protection will provide you with the skills and credentials needed to assess food safety and protection, develop policy procedures and training and ensure compliance across manufacturing and agricultural industries.
You’ll complete required courses in food safety, developing policy procedures and quality assurance. You’ll also have the option of completing an applied project.
The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the home to world-renowned and award-winning faculty members. Our faculty’s accomplishments include, but aren’t limited to:
- Fulbright Senior Scholar.
- National faculty nursing awards.
- Rosalynn Carter National Leadership Award in Caregiving.
- Ruth B. Freeman Award from the American Public Health Association.
ASU’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation provides a world-class education to students across various health disciplines. We distinguish ourselves by delivering excellent programs and challenging courses led by high-quality instructors.
undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs online.
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Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of the student's first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Professional resume.
- Proof of English proficiency.
An interview may be required.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
ASU's academic programs that prepare you for professional licensure or certification are designed to meet Arizona's requirements. Completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states. For additional information, visit the professional licensure webpage.

No, Arizona State University’s certificates and diplomas don’t specify whether you earn them online or in person. All certificates, diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”