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certificate

Food Studies

Explore policies, initiatives and perspectives supporting sustainable food systems.

Please Note

The Food Studies Certificate is undergoing a program restructure. New student applications are not being accepted at this time. To be notified when the certificate relaunches, please fill out the form below.

 

This program is perfect for...

  • Food industry professionals seeking to broaden their education and understanding of food
  • Students interested in gaining insight before possibly pursing food studies graduate degrees
  • Individuals passionate about understanding and combatting complex food issues

What you can learn.

  • Study the role of food in agriculture, anthropology, geography, law, nutrition, public health, public policy and social sciences
  • Learn how to create policies and initiatives to address sustainable food systems
  • Develop critical thinking skills about food issues from a global and interdisciplinary perspective

Nutrition, Agriculture, Food Justice and More

man and two women planting food in a field

Sustainable food systems are key to long-term human survival. This is reflected in current and projected workforce trends; on average, about 3,000 openings for agricultural/food scientists are expected each year over the decade, and overall employment in those specialties is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032.*

The UCLA Extension Food Studies program addresses this personnel need by preparing students to be subject matter experts and innovators. The four-course specialization trains up-and-coming policymakers and practitioners for food/agriculture careers, including jobs as agricultural managers, food scientists, sustainability specialists, regulatory affairs managers and environmental protection specialists.

Courses are taught by leading industry professionals in the areas of sustainability and environmental studies.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Electives
Students must complete 4 of the following courses:
PHYSCI X 451
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
PUB PLC X 477
Typically Offered: Winter
PUB PLC X 478
Typically Offered: Summer

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

200.00

Estimated Program Tuition

3500.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

138.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Contact Us

Speak to a program representative. Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
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