Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems

at Montana State University - Bozeman USA

Students in the Liberal Arts Studio program at Montana State begin their undergraduate artistic journey with Foundations courses, which aim to introduce students to the design thinking and visual literacy skills needed for the subsequent years in the program. From there, Liberal Arts Studio students have the opportunity to focus their creative personal vision in one of six areas of study: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculptureand extended media, metalsmithing or ceramics. In addition to the medium of their choice, Liberal Arts Studio students balance studio time with a robust liberal arts education.

The Human Development & Family Science option at Montana State is an interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers working with individuals and families, spanning from counseling to social services. Human Development & Family Science students who have completed the degree are able to apply for provisional certification as a Certified Family Life Educator, or can go onto graduate study in counseling or social work.

Montana State’s graduate program in Agricultural Education prepares students for entry into or advancement in formal and non-formal teaching careers. In addition to the wide variety of professional courses in agricultural education, offerings are also available in agricultural economics, animal and range sciences, land resources and environmental sciences, plant sciences and plant pathology, and veterinary molecular biology.

The Latin American and Latino Studies program at Montana State provides students interested in Latin American and Latino history, culture, and language with valuable interdisciplinary skills. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program, Latin American and Latino Studies students are given the option to not only study courses focusing on Latin American and Latino socio-cultural subjects but other relevant content from other departments such as sociology, political science or gender studies, as well. Although the equivalent of four semesters of Spanish language is required, students with prior experience in Spanish language or heritage students may have some of those language requirements waived.

Students in the Political Science department at Montana State develop knowledge of American political institutions, world politics, political theory, public administration and policy through the lens of a political scientist. In addition to the courses available, Political Science students are also able to learn more about the discipline through a variety of hands-on opportunities such as the department’s internship program, as well as study abroad opportunities.

In the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering department at Montana State, graduate students pioneer knowledge in their field to generate solutions in advanced materials, renewable energy and more. Mechanical engineering is a diverse field with wide applications, so our candidates work with award-winning faculty on research that spans disciplines and pushes boundaries.

In the Sustainable Food Systems graduate program at Montana State, candidates dig further into special topics on sustainability and the food industry to better understand the relation between food systems and public health. Sustainable Food Systems graduate student projects can potentially cover a broad range of topics, including but not limited to food system education and public awareness, how local food systems can localize diets, institutional purchasing of local foods, food policies, community supported agriculture, food processing and distribution, community food security, community-based food and nutrition assistance and more. Additionally, students are able to tailor the program to their specific interests by taking coursework connected to health promotion and education, political science, economics, business, Native American Studies, agriculture and food science.

The Master of Fine Arts program at Montana State is structured as a project-based, non-media specific program that advances both artistic development and creative leadership. Over the course of three years, students who practice a variety of different media within their art form a community that fosters exploration, professionalism and creative success. Students within the M.F.A. program enjoy a studio experience that both centers the conceptual and production processes of the art-making experience while developing the skills needed for professional artists to develop, organize and execute complex artistic or entrepreneurial endeavors. The M.F.A. program at Montana State is highly competitive and only accepts a limited number of students per cohort.

In the graduate program for Plant Pathology at Montana State, candidates investigate major problems in plant pathology within MSU’s state of the art agricultural facilities. Sample research projects include, but are not limited to, soil-borne diseases in cereals, the genetic root of disease resistance in field crops, cereal leaf spots, viral diseases inherent in cereals and potatoes, bacterial diseases in plants, and the biochemistry and molecular genetics of general plant diseases. Not only does this research apply to making a healthier and more robust food supply, but the research also seeks to develop new technology to manage crop pests.

Designed for both pre- and mid-career professionals, students in the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) program at Montana State are immersed in studies that include public administration theory, human resource management, public budgeting, public policy process, leadership, ethics, organization dynamics, and research methodology for public administrators. The program is designed to support specializations in local government, non-profit management, Native American affairs, natural resources policy and planning.