The Master of Science Food Safety & Quality Assurance (MSc FSQA) is a course based program of a minimum of eight courses including a seminar course and research project course. This program is completed through a combination of online and on campus courses. 

NEW: This program is now available through Distance Education, with limited capacity for Fall 2021 entry. Please contact fsqa@uoguelph.ca for details.

The MSc FSQA program provides advanced training in food safety and quality and other aspects of food science and technology. FSQA students acquire knowledge of the fundamentals of food policy development, Canadian and international food law, applied aspects of total quality management, food safety management systems, risk analysis, and detection and epidemiology of foodborne pathogens.

Applicants are expected to have completed undergraduate courses that prepare them for participation in the program. Sufficient background in microbiology, toxicology, statistics and analytical methods is required.

This program is offered through the Department of Food Science. More details on this program are available through the department’s website.

Protect Populations by Maintaining Food Standards

Food safety and quality effects everyone. The master’s in food safety and quality provides you with in-depth training in food safety assurance. By understanding the microbology of food, you can help implement practices and standards to prevent sickness and outbreaks in communities and organizations.

Resources

Admission RequirementsNutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences DepartmentCollege of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Degree at a Glance

2Yearly Start Dates17Industry Relevant Courses000%Online Curriculum33Program Credit Hours$7655Estimated Annual Tuition*

*This estimation reflects three semesters of tuition and fees for in-state part-time resident students using the 2020-2021 Tuition & Fee schedule. Final tuition and fees may vary on a case by case basis. Please contact the Utah State University registrar’s department, or see the last page in the USU Tuition & Fee schedule for full information regarding tuition and fees.

Career Outlook for Graduates

Earning a master’s degree in food safety and quality prepares you to pursue careers in food quality assurance or other food safety positions. You can become a food scientist, a food inspector, a food safety specialist, and more.

Median Pay*

• Food Scientist – $65,300

*O*Net OnLine Sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, 2019

Why Earn Food Safety & Quality Degree from USU Online

The same professors who teach courses on USU’s main campus in Logan also teach online. You will have access to the same expert faculty who have real-world experience and can help you apply classroom concepts in professional settings. The courses cover subjects like food microbiology, food toxicology, food chemistry, food sanitation, and more, ensuring you are ready to enter the workforce with confidence.

Resources for Online Students

For online students based in Utah, resources such as local support, study spaces, BlueZone WiFi, and testing services, are available at the statewide campus nearest to them. Students both in-state and out-of-state have access to virtual services provided from various organizations and offices based at Logan main campus. See our Student Resources page for more information.

Out-of-State and International Student DisclaimerUtah is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and Utah State University (USU) is an approved SARA institution, which means we adhere to established standards for offering post-secondary e-learning programs in all member states. Please review our state authorizations to see if this program is offered in your state and our process for student complaints against the university.
International students studying at USU on the F-1 or J-1 visa must have the majority of their classes each semester be face-to-face in order to meet the physical presence requirement to maintain their visa status. Students on the F-1 visa must enroll in classes at the Logan or USU Eastern campuses. Students on the J-1 visa must enroll in classes at the Logan campus.

Food Safety and Quality Management e-learning, PGCert/PGDip/MSc

For professionals involved in the safe supply of food to consumers, this online Master’s in Food Safety and Quality Management provides the knowledge and skills to advance your career.

If you work in the food supply chain, our online MSc Food Safety and Quality Management provides an ideal opportunity to consolidate your experience and learn more about your industry. You’ll study safety and quality management systems following the ‘farm-to-fork’ approach, as well as the agents of foodborne illness and the control and enforcement measures that ensure our food is safe.

This online course is based upon the successful taught course, which has run since 2001. Benefit from the expertise and experience of the Natural Resources Institute’s (NRI) food safety and quality management team, which has carried out research for over 40 years.