By earning a master’s in sustainable food systems, you’ll develop an understanding of today’s health, agriculture and environmental policy making processes. In this program, you’ll learn how natural resource conservation impacts the quality of health through food and agriculture systems. This program includes a specific focus on American food production, distribution, and legislation, and you’ll research U.S. federal and state policy making, including legislative, rulemaking, budgetary and legal processes.
After completing this program, you’ll be able to employ solutions-based thinking and dynamic systems frameworks to develop the food systems of the future. You’ll be skilled in the interconnection between the social, political, economic and ecological factors that influence food systems in our society. Additionally, you’ll gain a variety of transferable skills, including systems thinking, strategic planning and problem solving.
Who’s a good candidate for this program?
There’s a high demand for those who can lead policy initiatives and employ solutions-based thinking to create diverse, inclusive and resilient food systems for our future. These systems are necessary for sustaining growing populations while ensuring ecological resilience. This sustainable food systems master’s is designed for those working in the field looking to advance in their career, young professionals interested in gaining more knowledge or those who want to enter the field of food and sustainability.
After graduating from this program, you’ll be able to apply your knowledge and leadership skills to solve real-world policy issues impacting our world today. This program provides you access to a network of prominent and influential food and agriculture policy leaders and mentors.
Prepare for leadership roles with in-person immersive experiences
During this program, you’ll complete two week-long immersive experiences as part of your curriculum. The first takes place in Arizona, where you’ll be learning from local farmers, ranchers and supply chain experts about how agriculture policies impact their operations. The second experience is an immersive seminar in Washington, D.C. focused on leadership. During this experience, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in question-and-answer sessions with food policy leaders. Past speakers have included the Director of Racial and Economic Justice at the White House and longtime organic farmer and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree.
After participating in both of these experiences, you’ll be well prepared to make policy decisions focused on sustainable food systems across a wide range of industries that fit your goals.
Arizona State University’s Master of Science in sustainable food systems prepares you to create and lead policy initiatives that pioneer innovative pathways for our future. In this program, you’ll explore food and agricultural trends, build relationships with farmers and learn from influential policy leaders that can help you advance in your career.
In this program, you’ll take a wide variety of sustainability courses and complete training that prepares you for roles in leadership. Topics you’ll study in your curriculum include policy making, environmental and resource conservation and approaches to achieving sustainable systems.
The School of Sustainability recruits faculty from the finest practitioners in sustainability science, business, governance and mission-driven organizations. They cover a variety of disciplines — including business policy, renewable energy and environmental science — and strive to make the world more sustainable through use-inspired research.
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report and receives accolades from other prestigious organizations.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
university in the U.S. in pursuit of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Cool Schools” for sustainability by Sierra Club for campus sustainability.
best online bachelor’s programs.
best global universities.
for sustainability practices in the Association for the Advancement of Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) report.
Applicants to the sustainable food systems program must fulfill the requirements for the Graduate College and the School of Sustainability.
Applicants are eligible to apply if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Desired candidates will have experience working in a field related to food and agriculture.
Applicants must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program. Or applicants must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
If applicants have a lower GPA, they may address it in their statement of intent. They should describe contributing circumstances through their personal experiences. The admission committee will consider these applicants for admission.
The admission committee will consider lower GPAs for provisional admission. Provisional admission applies to applicants with desirable work experience and/or good reasons why their GPA was low. If provisional, the student must maintain a B or better in the first semester of the program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae or resume.
- Two letters of recommendation.
All candidates must provide a statement of intent that should not exceed 600 words. The statement should answer the questions below.
- What key research questions do you wish to address and/or what problems do you wish to solve as part of your plan of study?
- How will your background contribute to your success in the program?
Ideal applicants are active professionals in the food and agriculture industry. Students hail from private companies of all sizes, government agencies, university agriculture extensions, philanthropies, nonprofits and trade associations. Farmers and ranchers interested in the future of sustainable food policy would also find value in this program.
International applicants will need to meet ASU’s English proficiency requirements. Additionally, applicants should have the equivalent of a TOEFL Score of 100 or greater to meet course prerequisite requirements for the program.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”