Program Overview

Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition

The Graduate Programs in Human Nutrition at OHSU offer a comprehensive education in human nutrition, with a focus on social justice and food systems.

Online Master's Degree Program in Food Systems and Society

OHSU's M.S. in Food Systems and Society program prepares students to think critically about food systems and address social justice issues within them. The program is 100% online, with mostly asynchronous coursework, allowing students to complete their degree on their own schedule.

Why Choose OHSU for Your M.S. in Food Systems and Society?

• Focus on social justice: Dive into the systemic challenges of the food system and learn how to create equitable solutions.
• 100% online program: Complete all classes online, on your schedule, with mostly asynchronous coursework.
• Meaningful research: Conduct text-based research on a food systems and societyrelated social justice issue to better understand the problem and inform future action.
• Career-ready graduates: Past graduates work in education, research, healthcare, policy, sustainability, journalism, government, and nonprofit leadership.

Admission and Application Requirements

To apply, students need:

• A bachelor's degree in any field
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher
• To be a U.S. citizen residing within the U.S.

How to Apply

• Create an online account and select "Food Systems and Society"
• Submit transcripts, a personal statement, and two references
• Answer application questions

Tuition and Scholarships

• Cost: $757 per credit for Oregon residents and non-residents
• Scholarships: Scholarships are available to help students fund their education, including program-specific awards and opportunities from outside organizations

Degree Requirements

Students need 50 credits to earn their M.S. in Food Systems and Society, which includes foundation, practicum, and capstone courses.

• Length: 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time
• GPA: 3.0 to graduate

M.S. in Food Systems and Society Student Learning Objectives

• Apply concepts in critical social science to identify and evaluate how social, political, economic, and policy systems condition opportunities and outcomes in food systems and society.
• Reflect on and critically analyze the roles of race-ethnicity, class, gender, personal experience, and agency in social justice in food systems and society.
• Reflect on and critically analyze knowledge, scholarship, and experience to understand diverse perspectives and interpret academic literature in order to answer research questions, draw logical conclusions, and construct defensible arguments.
• Apply concepts in critical inquiry and systematic research methodologies to identify, evaluate, and address social justice in food systems and society.
• Create and deliver oral presentations and written reports to engage with diverse audiences on social justice in food systems and society.
• Constructively engage colleagues to collaboratively synthesize, reflect on, and communicate key concepts and approaches to social justice and social change in food systems and society.

Capstone Research

The capstone research gives students the chance to explore the issues that matter most to them. Students research diverse topics that explore how class, gender, and race and ethnicity intersect in food systems and society.

Examples of Past Capstone Topics

• Labor justice in food systems
• Social movements for food justice
• Gender justice in food systems
• Diet-related health disparities
• Food politics and public health
• Oppression and food discourse

Sample Class Schedule

The program includes a variety of courses, such as:

• FSS 500: Food Systems Inquiry
• FSS 501: Concepts and Contexts in FSS
• FSS 502: Academic Foundations
• FSS 503: Critical Text-based Research
• FSS 504: Capstone Preparation

Class Descriptions

Course titles and descriptions include:

• FSS 500: Food Systems Inquiry - Provides a foundation for advanced study in food systems and society, with a focus on social problems, critical thinking, and taking action.
• FSS 501: Concepts and Contexts in Food Systems and Society - Discusses the history and root causes of today's food system issues through the lenses of class, race-ethnicity, and gender.

M.S. in Food Systems and Society Degree Program FAQs

What is the Study of Food Systems?

The study of food systems explores how food production, policies, distribution, and eating habits relate to larger issues like sustainability, equity, and health.

What Can I Do with a Master's in Food Systems and Society?

A master's in Food Systems and Society can help students advance their career by preparing them to address the root causes of food inequities. Possible roles include:

• Food policy advisor
• Nonprofit director
• Food systems researcher
• Community organizer
• University program leader

How Will an M.S. in Food Systems and Society Prepare Me to Solve Local and Global Food Challenges?

The M.S. in Food Systems and Society helps students understand the systems behind global social justice problems, focusing on how class, gender, and race and ethnicity intersect. Students will study how policy, culture, and power influence food systems.

How Long Does it Take to Earn an M.S. in Food Systems and Society?

Students can complete the program in two years if they study full-time, or three years if part-time.

What's the Difference Between an M.S. in Food Systems and Society and an M.S. in Human Nutrition?

An M.S. in Food Systems and Society focuses on the broader issues affecting food systems, using a critical social science lens. An M.S. in Human Nutrition focuses on the science of food and its impact on human health, using a biophysical science approach.