Students prepare cultures in a food science lab

Food Safety and Technology (M.A.S.)

The Master of Food Safety and Technology program trains students to be food safety experts in the private sector and at federal and state health agencies. Students will gain a working knowledge of food microbiology, food packaging, food chemistry, food analysis, human nutrition, and food regulations.

A unique collaborative research program between Illinois Tech and the United States Food and Drug Administration—located on the Illinois Tech's Moffett Campus—provides our master's students with the opportunity to work on projects alongside FDA scientists. This practical, hands-on experience gives students critical exposure to how the FDA approaches food safety and nutrition issues in a cooperative setting that only exists at Illinois Tech. Graduates say this experience is a distinctive advantage when competing for jobs within the food industry.

Program Overview

The Master of Food Safety and Technology program trains students to be food safety experts in the private sector and at federal and state health agencies. Students will gain a working knowledge of food microbiology, food packaging, food chemistry, food analysis, human nutrition, and food regulations.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work across the food safety industry, in both the public and private sectors. Some of the positions they have accepted include:

  • Quality assurance
  • Quality control
  • Product development
  • Food safety regulatory compliance
  • Food safety auditing
Disclaimer for prospective students, please read.
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Admission to the program normally requires a bachelor’s degree in chemistry; biology; food science; or chemical, agricultural, food, or environmental engineering, or a related field.

A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required, as well as a TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), and 80 (internet) is required for international applicants.

Gina Oberoi

Creating New Food Products

As a food technologist at Vanee Foods Company, alumna Gina Oberoi (BCHM, M.S. FST ’18) researches and develops new food products for use in chain restaurants and foodservice. Read about her career path in the Fall 2020 issue of Big Picture.

Read the Issue