With today’s global food-supply chain more complex than ever, there’s a demand for professionals who know how to prevent poor food safety. JWU Online’s Master of Food Safety prepares our graduates to enter this dynamic and in-demand field.
Food Safety at Johnson & Wales
A leader in culinary education, Johnson & Wales University has built a reputation over the past 50 years as a hotspot for culinary innovation and food intellectual assets. From our undergraduate courses taught in-person to master’s programs taught online, food safety is at the core of all College of Food Innovation and Technology (CFIT) programs.
Food safety is essential for safeguarding public health and building trust in our food system. Professionals with expertise from programs like JWU’s MS in Food Safety are highly regarded and are positioned to lead the way in ensuring that food remains safe from farm to table.
Industry-Relevant Curriculum
JWU Online’s courses are developed by faculty, who bring their real-world experience into the curriculum. “When I have faculty informing the master’s degree curriculum, they’re approaching it from a real-world industry standpoint, really knowing how these food safety processes play out, how regulators think and how restaurants work within those regulations,” states Jason Evans, Dean of the CFIT programs at JWU. This course development process ensures students are not only learning theory but also gaining insights directly applicable to today’s food industry.
Ruben Morawicki, a faculty member in the MS Food Safety program, shares his expertise as both an educator and leader in the field: “I have a Ph.D. in Food Science, specializing in food processing and food safety. I teach Produce Safety, Food Defense and Adulteration Prevention, and Food Safety Capstone,” he notes.
The MS Food Safety program begins by building a strong foundation in food safety. As Morawicki describes, “Students learn how the food supply chain works, the potential pathogens that can affect food and the regulatory aspects. Then, they can choose among several elective courses that suit their background and interests.”
“Each week in my Food Law class, the topic coincides with something that’s actually happening in our food industry. For example, one week we discussed adulterated versus non-adulterated food products. And we just explored legal issues related to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which has been in the news during the past weeks. I’m excited about what I am learning – and look forward to the next two courses I will take: Intro to Food Safety Systems and Research and Inquiry.” – Joseph Presler ’27, M.S. – Food Safety
Job Outlook
Graduates of JWU Online’s MS in Food Safety program are prepared for a wide range of careers in the food safety sector. Morawicki notes, “Most current JWU Online students are already working in food safety at companies or the government. Many of our students pursue the MS to advance careers at their current jobs. In other cases, we have students working in different fields who want to change careers. Given the many job openings in food safety, the MS is very attractive to this group of students.”
Current student Presler states, “As the Food Safety Quality Assurance Director for a multinational corporation, I’m studying what I am living day to day. Now I understand the reasons why I do what I do. It’s giving me a fresh perspective on how I am doing my job and what I can bring to others in my organization.”
“There are organizations all over the country that are looking for these graduates, and there’s not many of them.” adds Evans. JWU’s MS Food Safety program can open doors to careers such as food safety auditors, food service managers, regulatory affairs specialists, public health inspectors and positions in both federal and state regulatory agencies.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs in this industry, specifically Food Service Managers, are projected to grow by 6% over the next 10 years — higher than the average growth rate for all other occupations.
JWU’s Ecolab
The mission of JWU Providence’s Ecolab Center for Culinary Science is to support food entrepreneurs and the food industry with their innovation needs, from product development to nutritional labeling, basic laboratory analysis, and more.
Morawicki also serves as director of the Ecolab Center, a unique service in Rhode Island. “We provide food safety support to the food industry, including process authority work that involves evaluating food products that companies want to introduce into commerce. If the products get a pass, we provide a letter that is then taken to the Department of Health to get their permits, or, in the case of canned products, the letter is used to file the product with the Food and Drug Administration. My work at the Ecolab Center dovetails perfectly with my teaching activities in both the MS in Food Safety and the undergraduate courses I teach.”
Next Steps
Take the next step in your food safety journey today. Graduates of JWU Online’s MS in Food Safety program are equipped with the analytical skills, regulatory knowledge and hands-on experience needed to address emerging challenges in both public and private sectors.
For more information about this program, complete the request information form, submit your free application, or email [email protected].
