Master’s in Food Business (MPS) (Online)

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Food Business gives students the knowledge, skill set, and tools to launch their own food businesses, lead innovations within a company, and more. The program offers advanced, food industry-specific learning to assess market opportunity, become a next-level leader, and prepare for what’s coming in the food world. Students will be mentored by experts from the food, beverage, and hospitality world along with CIA faculty. In addition to the online courses, the curriculum includes short residencies at both the CIA at Copia in Napa, CA and at the main campus in Hyde Park, NY, where students have the opportunity to network with industry leaders at one of the college’s thought leadership conferences. 

The program consists of 30 credits of course work completed over 24 months. Students can choose from three program tracks: Restaurant/Foodservice, Food Product/Concept, or Strategy/Management. Once students have successfully completed the required 30 credit hours while maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average, they will be awarded the Master of Professional Studies degree in Food Business.

Program Learning Outcomes

This online CIA Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Food Business prepares students to design, deliver, and lead innovative solutions for today’s complex food-system challenges and emerging business opportunities. Throughout the program, students develop leadership, strategy, and business skills while examining the interconnected forces shaping the food system, including science, consumer behavior, technology, public policy, and market change. Through applied learning and engagement with CIA’s professional network, students build the knowledge, perspective, and connections needed to help their organizations adapt, grow, and contribute to a more sustainable food future.

• Students will analyze and apply real-world implications of ethics, legal, financial, and safety practices.
• Students will develop operational strategies connected to food business execution, including analytical and problem-solving skills in decision-making.
• Students will analyze various models for developing an organizational culture, including hiring practices, human resource management, team-building, the opportunities of international business, and planned growth.
• Students will examine approaches for food venture formation, financing, stakeholder relations, and exit strategy.
• Students will assess and evaluate global food systems.
• Students will analyze the current marketplace, identify food business opportunities, and create market-ready concepts utilizing design thinking skills.
• Students will demonstrate effective communication skills through listening, negotiations, and presentations.

Graduation Requirements

The Master of Professional Studies Program is offered once per year, beginning with a residency at the start of the fall semester.

Students enrolling in the Master of Professional Studies in Food Business degree program must complete a specified set of courses, with a cohort, in a particular and set order unless otherwise noted, to meet the graduation requirements of the degree. They must also choose from three tracks: Restaurant/Foodservice, Food Product/Concept, or Strategy/Management. All courses are online with the exception of Orientation and Cohort Formation, Framing the Capstone Project, and Presentation of Capstone Project, which are in-person residencies.