I began keeping this list of graduate food studies program after a fascinating roundtable discussion titled, “Masters Programs in Food Studies, Food Systems, and Food Policy,” at the 2013 joint meeting of the Association for the Study of Food and Society and the Agriculture, Food & Human Values Society at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

During this discussion, the directors of seven graduate food programs debated the key issues emerging in graduate food education. They were also asked by a session attendee to summarize each program’s distinguishing features, which I’ve summarized here in the hopes it might prove useful for any students currently weighing their options for graduate study in food.

Note: I’ve been keeping this list as current as possible. Last update: January 25, 2019

Boston University, MLA in Gastronomy 

• Location: Boston, MA
• Program Director: Megan Elias, Ph.D.
• Program History: Co-founded in the 1990s by Julia Child & Jacques Pépin
• Strengths / Specialities: Focus on the liberal arts; can include culinary arts & wine study; online, blended and in-person courses; in large, research university
• Follow: Twitter (@GastronomyatBU); Facebook (BU Gastronomy); Blog (Gastronomy at BU)

Chatham University, MA in Food Studies

• Location: Pittsburgh, PA
• Program Director: Alice Julier, Ph.D.
• Program History: Graduated first cohort in May 2012
• Strengths / Specialities: Focus on agriculture/farming, sustainability, and the food system; campus includes a 338 acre farm
• Follow: Facebook (Food Studies at Chatham University); Blog (Eden Hall Farm)

Drexel University, Master of Science in Culinary Arts and Science (MS CAS)

• Location: Philadelphia, PA
• Program Director: Rosemary Trout
• Program History: Launched fall 2017
• Specialties / Strengths: Program combines focus in culinary arts, food science, and gastronomy/food systems
• Follow: Twiter (@DrexelHSM)

Green Mountain College, MS in Sustainable Food Systems– University to close in 2019 

• Location: Poultney, Vermont
• Program Director: Robin Currey, Ph.D.
• Program History: Launched first cohort in 2012
• Strengths / Specialties: Institutional focus on the environment; “low-residency” program meets once per year; significant online teaching/learning experience
• Follow: Facebook (Green Mountain College M.S. in Sustainable Food Systems)

Marylhurst University, MS in Food Systems & Society 

• Location: Marylhurst, OR
• Program Director: Patricia Allen, Ph.D.
• Program History: Enrolled first cohort in 2014; program closing in 2018
• Strengths / Specialities: Focus on social justice and change through food; “low-residency” program combines online learning with twice a year on campus intensives
• Follow: Twitter (@marylhurstfood)

New York University, MA in Food Studies

• Location: New York City, NY
• Program Director: Jennifer Berg, Ph.D.
• Program History: Program began in 1996
• Strengths / Specialities: Focus on food and culture; can concentrate in food culture or food systems; specialized in urban food systems
• Follow: Facebook

Syracuse University, MS in Food Studies

• Location: Syracuse, NY
• Program Director: Anne C. Bellows, Ph.D.
• Program History: MS program was approved in 2015
• Strengths / Specialities: Program provides a foundation in a political economy and human rights-based approach to food systems; program intersects with longstanding professional programs in nutrition and public health
• Follow: Facebook (SUFoodStudies)

University of Adelaide, MA in Food Studies – Program closed November 27, 2013

• Location: Adelaide, SA, Australia
• Program Staff: Barbara Santich, Ph.D. and Rachel Ankeny, Ph.D.
• Program History: In existence for more than 10 years, but recently changed
• Strengths / Specialities: International focus; graduate certificate in food writing; online and in-person study options

University of the Pacific, MA in Food Studies – Program to close in 2020

• Location: San Francisco, CA
• Program Director: Polly Adema, Ph.D.
• Program History: Enrolled first cohort in 2015
• Strengths / Specialties: Food policy and politics, food history, food sociology, food business
• Follow: Facebook

University of Vermont, MS in Food Systems

• Location: Burlington, VT
• Program Director: Amy Trubek, Ph.D.
  
• Program History: Enrolled first cohort in 2013
• Strengths / Specialties: Focus on food systems and hands-on, skill based education
• Follow: Facebook (UVM Food Systems Masters Program)