Program Overview

Program Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Food Policy and Regulatory Affairs is a two-year part-time online program that provides students with the tools to connect cutting-edge food and nutrition science with real-world food policy. The program explores pressing issues such as food safety, emerging nutrition-related health issues, and public health policy development.

Why Choose Food Policy and Regulatory Affairs

This graduate diploma program equips students to shape decisions that impact Canada's food system and public health by taking a risk-based approach. Students will graduate ready to navigate the complex connections between science, industry, and government.

A Bridge Between Science and Policy/Regulation

The program gives students the tools to connect cutting-edge food and nutrition science with real-world food policy. Students will explore pressing issues such as food safety, emerging nutrition-related health issues, and public health policy development.

Learning by Doing

Students' training goes beyond the classroom, completing seminars, engaging with industry and government partners, and gaining practical experience through their choice of an internship or an applied analysis project. This hands-on approach helps students develop the leadership and communication skills employers are looking for.

What to Expect

• Graduate-level training: Gain advanced knowledge of food risk analysis and how it's applied in the development of policy and regulatory frameworks on food and nutrition.
• Hands-on learning: Put knowledge into practice through case studies, seminars, and a final internship or applied analysis.
• Government and industry connections: Build a network with partners such as Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, industry associations, and leading food companies.
• Career-focused approach: Develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills for professional success.

Courses

This program is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in nutrition or a related field who want to develop specialized skills in food policy and regulatory affairs. Students will complete four graduate-level courses, plus either a supervised internship placement or an applied policy analysis project.

Current Challenges in Food Safety and Nutrition (NUT 5105)

• Critical thinking: Analyze and evaluate emerging challenges in the global food supply.
• Regulatory focus: Explore topics such as genetically modified foods, allergens, and nutrient quality debates.
• Leadership skills: Learn how to build a strong food safety culture using emotional intelligence and workplace communication.

Fundamentals of Food Risk Analysis (NUT 5106)

• Risk assessment: Understand the fundamentals of food risk analysis and conduct structured risk assessments using real-world case studies.
• Decision-making tools: Learn strategies to manage microbial, chemical, and allergen contamination risks.
• Communication skills: Develop risk management and communication plans that align with international standards.

Fundamentals of Public Health Policy Development (NUT 5107)

• Policy landscape: Understand the roles the federal, provincial, and local governments play in health regulation.
• Evidence-based tools: Learn how complex scientific evidence is used to create effective public health policies.
• Policy and regulatory excellence: Understand the detailed process involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and regulations.

Research and Seminars (NUT 5108)

• Research skills: Gather, interpret, and present evidence to support food and nutrition policies.
• Knowledge-sharing: Present findings to peers, professors, and guest evaluators.
• Career preparation: Build communication skills, emotional intelligence, and other soft skills for professional growth.

Experiential Learning Internship Placement (NUT 5109, option 1)

• Real-world experience: Complete a minimum 135-hour work project with a host organization.
• Supervised learning: Receive guidance from both academic and workplace supervisors.
• Professional outcomes: Turn classroom learning into tangible workplace contributions.

Applied Food Policy and Regulation Analysis (NUT 5110, option 2)

• Independent project: Complete an intensive policy analysis on relevant food and nutrition policy topics.
• Interdisciplinary approach: Bring together nutrition and food risk analysis, policy/regulatory development, and implementation, and consumer behavior.
• Rigorous assessment: Gain insights from evaluations of work by both a supervisor and an external reviewer.

Partnerships

This program is built on close collaboration with government, industry, and non-governmental organizations, providing students with direct exposure to real-world challenges and helping them build a professional network.

Career Opportunities

• Government policy analyst: Apply knowledge of food safety and public health policy to shape regulations and inform evidence-based decision-making.
• Food safety risk assessor: Use risk analysis tools and case study methods to evaluate and manage food-related risks.
• Regulatory affairs specialist: Navigate complex regulations and promote compliance in the food industry.
• NGO project coordinator: Lead evidence-based initiatives that address food security, nutrition education, or public health challenges.
• Public health program officer: Design and implement programs that protect population health, drawing on understanding of policy development.
• Food industry consultant: Advise companies on best practices for food safety, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance based on current science.