MS Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science in sustainable food systems is a research-oriented degree program in which you develop an understanding of present-day health, agriculture and environmental policy; develop strategies to lead policy discussions; interact with a network of food and agriculture policy leaders and mentors; and apply your knowledge and skills to address problems related to food and food systems. The program includes two week-long experiences for you to engage in food systems. The first is in Arizona.

What you will study

30 credit hours including the required capstone course (SFS 596) Required Core (21 credit hours) SFS 560 Tools and Tactics for Food Policy Change (3) SFS 561 Food and Farm Immersion Experience (2) SFS 562 Managing Natural Resources for Food Production (3) SFS 563 Applied Food Policy Immersion Experience (2) SFS 564 American Agriculture in the Global Context (2) SFS 565 Research Methods and Analysis (3) SFS 566 Applied Research Project (3) SOS 509 Leading Sustainability Transitions (3) Electives (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 credit hours) SFS 596 Capstone (3)

Career pathways

The MS program is designed to prepare future leaders in food policy. Its affiliation with the Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems connects students and graduates to networks in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts statement of intent two letters of recommendation professional resume proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

Explore more study programmes

Engineering