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Food Safety

Program and Application Information
Program Director:Paul Schwarz
Email:paul.schwarz@ndsu.edu
Department Phone:(701) 231-7971
Application Deadline:International applications are due May 1st for fall and August 1 for spring. Domestic applicants should apply at least one month prior to the start of the term.
Degrees Offered:Ph.D., M.S., Certificate
Test Requirement:GRE
English Proficiency Requirements:TOEFL ibT 71; IELTS 6

Program Description

The Food safety programs was founded in 2001 to help meet the increasing need for individuals with food safety expertise in government, business, and academia. The graduate program is interdisciplinary, and NDSU graduate faculty from several colleges participate in advising graduate students. The NDSU Graduate School administers the academic program, while the home department of the adviser handles assistantship and tuition waiver administration. Academic policies are under the governance of the Food Safety graduate program faculty.

Degrees Offered and the Graduate Certificate 
Three programs are offered at the graduate level. Research project-based degrees include the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Master of Science (M.S.). The thesis-based M.S. degree will prepare students for supervisory roles in the food industry, in regulatory agencies, or in public health and is preparatory for students who may wish to advance to Ph.D. programs. Individuals earning a Ph.D. degree will be educated as independent researchers, expanding their potential to become principal investigators of food safety research in various arenas, including business, academia, and government. The non-thesis M.S. is intended for working professionals looking to augment their skills or credentials. Most coursework can be completed online, although the candidate must be present on-campus to present seminar and also the M.S. paper. The Graduate Certificate in Food Protection is aimed at professionals looking to augment their skills, as well as graduate students in other programs wishing to add a credential to their degree programs. All course work for the Certificate is completed online.

Admissions Requirements

Admission, Advisor Assignment and Assistantships

Food Safety program admission is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. Appropriate degrees might be in food science, food safety, meat science, cereal science, microbiology, veterinary science, economics, engineering, dietetics, nutrition, agricultural policies or communication. To be admitted with full status to the program, the applicant must meet the Graduate School admission requirements along with additional requirements:

Thesis based M.S.

  • Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores that are lower than the 50th percentile will generally weaken an applicant’s chance of being accepted. In all cases, other forms of evidence for academic success will be considered and may supersede the GRE score for evaluative outcomes.

Dissertation based Ph.D.

  • Applicants with a completed M.S. degree (in any related field of study) are generally regarded as more prepared for the Ph.D. program than applicants with only a bachelor’s degree.

·         For students that have not already completed an M.S. degree at an institution in the United States, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores are required. Scores that are lower than the 50th percentile will generally weaken an applicant’s chance of being accepted. Other forms of evidence for academic success will be considered and may supersede the GRE score for evaluative outcomes.

Graduate Certificate and Non-thesis option

  • The Graduate Certificate in Food Protection does not require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (GRE).
  • Applicants to the non-thesis M.S. holding a bachelor’s degree from a recognized U.S. institution are not required to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. The GRE is required for International applicants to the non-thesis M.S. program. Other forms of evidence for academic success will be considered and may supersede the GRE score for evaluative outcomes.

The Graduate School does not forward applications for review to the program until the application package is complete. Failure to meet these program deadlines may result in rejection or postponement of admission. Common errors resulting in late applications include missing letters of recommendation and late payment of application fees.

Applications completed by the deadlines are forwarded from the Graduate School to the Food Safety Program director. These are then sent to the Food Safety faculty for review. Acceptance of the applicant will be judged by the faculty using a combination of factors, including those presented above, and on applicant’s recommendation letters and statement of purpose. Applications of acceptable quality for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs may still be rejected if an adviser cannot be identified and if there is not an assistantship available to support the applicant.

Applications of acceptable quality for the Graduate Certificate will generally be accepted, unless enrollment caps are being enforced.

All applicants will be notified about final decisions as soon as possible, however, applicants should understand that processing may take several weeks after the deadlines.

Financial Assistance

Applicants must apply to the Graduate School and be accepted before being eligible for an assistantship in the Food Safety M.S and Ph.D. programs. Very limited funding is available through the Food Safety program itself.  Assistantships are generally only available when faculty members have grant funding for support of a student. Graduate tuition is waived for students with assistantships. Teaching assistantships are occasionally available to qualified students. Alternative support, equivalent to a Graduate Research Assistantship may be provided to a student by an outside sponsor such as a private company, university or government.

Financial support is not available for the Graduate Certificate Program and the non-thesis M.S in Food Safety. 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

For candidates who have been granted a M.S. from a recognized program, the Ph.D. program requires the completion of 35 semester credits of course work with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better, as well as 25 research credits (SAFE 899). Fifteen of these credits must be at the 700-789 level.  The Ph.D. program is, by design, highly flexible to allow study in the diverse areas of specialization that are related to food safety.  While a number of core courses, including SAFE 601-609, seminar (SAFE 790) and research (SAFE 899) are required, additional course work can be tailored to meet the candidate’s interests and area of specialization. This additional course work, however, must contribute to proficiency in an area of food safety.

An advisory committee will be established for each candidate admitted. This committee will consist of the major adviser (committee chair), and two other selected graduate faculty. The student and major adviser will prepare the plan of study, which is subject to the approval of the advisory committee, the Food Safety program director, and the Graduate School dean. The plan of study should be completed by the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program.

Ph.D. candidates are required to pass a preliminary examination at least one semester prior to the defense of the dissertation.  Two preliminary exam options are available. The first involves the standard written and oral examinations covering the candidate’s course work. The second involves successful preparation and defense of a research grant proposal, under accepted guidelines (e.g. USDA-NIFA, NIH). 

Core Courses (required)
SAFE 601Food Safety Information & Flow of Food1
SAFE 602Foodborne Hazards1
SAFE 603Food Safety Risk Assessment1
SAFE 604Epidemiology of Foodborne Illness1
SAFE 605Costs of Food Safety1
SAFE 606Food Safety Crisis Communication1
SAFE 607Food Safety Risk Management1
SAFE 608Food Safety Regulatory Issues1
SAFE 609Food Safety Risk Communication & Education1
SAFE 790Graduate Seminar2
SAFE 899Doctoral Dissertation1-15
Course Options
Food Safety
SAFE 652Food Laws and Regulations3
SAFE 684Food Safety Practicum1-3
SAFE 753Food Toxicology2
SAFE 785Advanced Crisis Communication3
SAFE 786Risk Communication3
Microbiology
MICR 653Food Microbiology3
MICR 674Epidemiology3
MICR 724Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
MICR 750Advanced Topics in Epidemiology3
MICR 752Advanced Food Microbiology3
Depending upon the candidate’s area of specialization, additional course work may be found in programs such as Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AGEC), Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (ABEN), Animal Sciences (ANSC), Cereal and Food Sciences (CFS), Chemistry (CHEM), Communication (COMM), Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences (HNES), Master of Public Health (MPH), Plant Pathology (PPTH), Plant Sciences (PLSC), and Statistics (STAT).
Total Credits90

Master's of Science (M.S. thesis option)

The Master of Science (thesis) is a research degree and can prepare the candidate for future study at the doctoral level. The candidate will perform a novel research project designed to contribute to the body of knowledge in some area pertinent to food safety, prepare a thesis on this research, and defend it in a final oral examination administered by the advisory committee. This program requires a total of 30 semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. A minimum of 21 credits of course work, as well as 6-10 research credits must be completed.  A minimum of 16 of these credits must be didactic (600-689 or 700-789).  SAFE 601-609, seminar (SAFE 790) and research (SAFE 798) are required. Remaining course work can be tailored to meet the candidate’s interests and area of specialization.

An advisory committee will be established for each candidate admitted. This committee will consist of the major adviser (committee chair), and two other selected graduate faculty. Additionally, the Graduate School will appoint an outside member of the committee. The student and major adviser will prepare the plan of study, which is subject to the approval of the advisory committee, the Food Safety program director, and the Graduate School dean. The plan of study should be completed by the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program.

Core Courses (required)
SAFE 601Food Safety Information & Flow of Food1
SAFE 602Foodborne Hazards1
SAFE 603Food Safety Risk Assessment1
SAFE 604Epidemiology of Foodborne Illness1
SAFE 605Costs of Food Safety1
SAFE 606Food Safety Crisis Communication1
SAFE 607Food Safety Risk Management1
SAFE 608Food Safety Regulatory Issues1
SAFE 609Food Safety Risk Communication & Education1
SAFE 790Graduate Seminar2
Course Options
MICR 798Master's Thesis6-10
Food Safety
SAFE 652Food Laws and Regulations3
SAFE 684Food Safety Practicum1-3
SAFE 753Food Toxicology2
SAFE 785Advanced Crisis Communication3
SAFE 786Risk Communication3
Microbiology
MICR 653Food Microbiology3
MICR 674Epidemiology3
MICR 724Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics3
MICR 750Advanced Topics in Epidemiology3
MICR 752Advanced Food Microbiology3
Depending upon the candidate’s area of specialization, additional course work may be found in programs such as Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AGEC), Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (ABEN), Animal Sciences (ANSC), Cereal and Food Sciences (CFS), Chemistry (CHEM), Communication (COMM), Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences (HNES), Master of Public Health (MPH), Plant Pathology (PPTH), Plant Sciences (PLSC), and Statistics (STAT).
Total Credits30

Master of Science (M.S. non-thesis option)

The Master of Science (non-thesis) is intended for working professionals seeking additional food safety knowledge and credentials.  Selection of candidates into this program is very competitive, and is largely based upon the prior experience of the candidate.  Identification of an adviser is key. The majority of course work for this program can be completed online, but several visits to the NDSU Fargo campus will be required for seminar and the defense of the final M.S. paper. No financial support is available for candidates in this program, including expenses for travel.

The non-thesis M.S. program requires a total of 30 semester credits with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. A minimum of 21 credits of course work, as well as 2-4 research paper credits must be completed.  A minimum of 16 of these credits must be approved for graduate credit (600-689 or 700-789).  SAFE 601-609, seminar (SAFE 790) and Masters paper (SAFE 797) are all required. Remaining course work can be tailored to meet the candidate’s interests and area of specialization.

An advisory committee will be established for each non-thesis M.S. candidate admitted. This committee will consist of the major adviser (committee chair), two other food safety faculty, and one recommended by the Graduate School. The student and major adviser will prepare the plan of study, which is subject to the approval of the advisory committee, the Food Safety program director, and the Graduate School dean. The plan of study should be completed by the end of the first semester of enrollment in the program.

The following table only shows courses which are available online. Candidates are encouraged to work with their adviser and the Food safety Program director to determine additional courses that utilize the Tegrity lecture capture program, and thus might be available to students who cannot regularly attend course lectures. Instructor requirements for Tegrity classes can vary widely.

Core Courses (required)
SAFE 601Food Safety Information & Flow of Food1
SAFE 602Foodborne Hazards1
SAFE 603Food Safety Risk Assessment1
SAFE 604Epidemiology of Foodborne Illness1
SAFE 605Costs of Food Safety1
SAFE 606Food Safety Crisis Communication1
SAFE 607Food Safety Risk Management1
SAFE 608Food Safety Regulatory Issues1
SAFE 609Food Safety Risk Communication & Education1
SAFE 790Graduate Seminar (not on-line))2
MICR 797Master's Paper3
On-line Course Options
SAFE 652Food Laws and Regulations3
SAFE 684Food Safety Practicum1-3
SAFE 753Food Toxicology2
SAFE 785Advanced Crisis Communication3
SAFE 786Risk Communication3
Depending upon the candidate’s area of specialization, additional course work may be found in programs such as Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AGEC), Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering (ABEN), Animal Sciences (ANSC), Cereal and Food Sciences (CFS), Chemistry (CHEM), Communication (COMM), Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences (HNES), Master of Public Health (MPH), Plant Pathology (PPTH), Plant Sciences (PLSC), and Statistics (STAT).
Total Credits30

Graduate Certificate in Food Protection Requirements

To be admitted to this program, students must demonstrate that they have a baccalaureate degree in an area pertinent to food safety from an accredited educational institution of recognized standing. To obtain a Graduate Certificate in Food Protection, students must successfully complete the nine (9) semester credits of core curriculum below and earn a grade of B or better in each course. All courses are offered online. Certificate students are assigned an adviser. No assistantships are available for Certificate applicants.

SAFE 601Food Safety Information & Flow of Food1
SAFE 602Foodborne Hazards1
SAFE 603Food Safety Risk Assessment1
SAFE 604Epidemiology of Foodborne Illness1
SAFE 605Costs of Food Safety1
SAFE 606Food Safety Crisis Communication1
SAFE 607Food Safety Risk Management1
SAFE 608Food Safety Regulatory Issues1
SAFE 609Food Safety Risk Communication & Education1
Total Credits9

Peter Bergholz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Michigan State University, 2007
Department: Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Research Interests: Disease Transmission, Landscape Genomics

Teresa Bergholz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Michigan State University, 2007
Department: Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Research Interests: Foodborne Disease

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D.
Extension Specialist, Professor
North Dakota State University, 1994
Department: Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences; NDSU Extension
Teaching and Research Interests: Nutrition, Food Safety

Penelope Gibbs, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Georgia, 2001
Department: Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Research Interests: Virulence of Cronobacter sakazakii-induced Meningitis in Humans and Moraxella bovis-induced Pinkeye in Bovine Species

Clifford A. Hall III, Ph.D.
Food Science Undergraduate Program Coordinator, Associate Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1996
Department: Plant Sciences, Cereal and Food Science Program
Research Interests: Phytochemical Stability in Food Systems, Pulse Utilization and Quality, Flaxseed, Chemical Food Safety, Effect of Processing on Food Safety Issues

Robert Maddock, Ph.D.
Extension Meats Specialist, Associate Professor
Texas A&M, 2000
Department: Animal Science; NDSU Extension
Teaching and Research Interests: Meat Processing, HACCP Systems

William Nganje, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Professor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999
Department: Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Teaching and Research Interests: Risk Management, Economics of Obesity, Food Safety, and Food Terrorism

Birgit Pruess, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Ruhr-Universität Bochum Germany, 1991
Department: Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Research Interests: Bacterial Physiology and Biofilms

David Saxowsky, J.D.
Associate Professor
Ohio State University, 1979
Department: Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Teaching and Research Interests: Applied Agriculture Law, Food Law, Water Law

Paul B. Schwarz, Ph.D.
Food Safety Program Director, Professor
North Dakota State University, 1987
Department: Plant Sciences, Cereal and Food Science Program
Research Interests: Mycotoxins in Cereal Grains and Products

Kalidas Shetty, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President of International Partnerships and Collaborations, Professor
University of Idaho, 1989
Department: Plant Sciences
Research Interests: Plant Metabolism, Food Security

Senay Simsek, Ph.D.
Bert L. D'Appolonia Endowed Associate Professor
Purdue University, 2006
Department: Plant Sciences, Cereal and Food Science Program
Research Interests: Wheat Mycotoxins In Relation To End-Product Quality

Charlene Wolf-Hall, Ph.D.
Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, Professor
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1995
Department: Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences
Teaching Interests: Toxicology