Food Security, Graduate Certificate

Food security and food safety are issues of growing concern by government agencies, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Despite many longstanding efforts, it is estimated that up to one billion people across the globe are hungry and food insecure in both developing and industrialized countries, including the United States.

The graduate certificate in food security provides knowledge and tools in the areas of nutrition, food studies, and geography to prepare students for careers in food security and safety. The program is a joint certificate between the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies and the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science.

The food security certificate program includes courses in nutrition, food security, food safety, and GIS and remote sensing. It gives students insight into:

• The determinants of food security in developing and industrialized countries;
• Governmental and non-governmental programs involved in food security research and interventions worldwide, including the United States;
• Tools for assessing food security at the household, community, and global level; and
• An understanding of the critical role nutrition science plays in food security programs.

The curriculum, including short descriptions of the required courses, is available in Mason's University Catalog.

The graduate certificate in food security is designed to meet the demand for experienced professionals in food security and safety - both domestically and internationally. It prepares students for careers that require a global view of nutrition and food studies by focusing on food security, nutrition, and geography.