Director
| Chalak, Ali |
| Food Security Program Executive Committee | Chalak, Ali (Chair); Habib, Rima; Hamadeh, Shady; Iskandar, Christelle; Jaafar, Hadi; Nasreddine, Lara; Tell, Tariq; Zurayk, Rami
|
Mission
The Food Security Program aims to promote food security through education, research, community action, and policy-oriented professional practice. The program pursues a holistic approach to the many aspects of food security, including nutritional health, agricultural production, economic development, environmental sustainability, and socio-cultural considerations. The program educates a new generation of leaders in the Middle East and North Africa and throughout the Arab world, preparing graduates to address the vital issue of food security in an interdisciplinary and hands-on fashion. Through its Food Security Program, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers a master of science in food security as well as a non-degree food security graduate diploma - online.
Graduate Programs
The Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences offers two graduate-level programs of study through the Food Security Program, leading to an MS in food security or the food security graduate diploma - online. Both programs address the multiple dimensions of food security by drawing on key disciplines including agriculture, nutrition, and development economics.
MS in Food Security
Requirements
The MS in food security requires the completion of a total of 30 credits, including six required courses. Candidates for the MS in food security have the option of selecting a thesis or non-thesis program of study. Thesis students must complete 15 credits of required core courses, 9 credits from approved elective courses (at least 6 credits within FAFS), and 6 credits of thesis. Non-thesis students must complete 15 credits of required core courses, 12 credits from approved elective courses (at least 6 credits within FAFS), and 3 credits of project. In addition, all students must pass a comprehensive examination.
Students may opt to earn further specialization in one of the following three areas: rural development; economics and policies; or food production and consumption. For thesis students, specialization is earned through the completion of two FAFS electives in the desired focus area of the thesis. For non-thesis students, specialization is earned through the completion of three FAFS electives in the desired focus area of the project.
Required Courses
|
Credits |
FSEC 300
| Food Security: Challenges and Contemporary Debate | 3
|
| FSEC 305 | Agriculture: Technology, Supply Chains, Sustainability | 3
|
| FSEC 310 | Nutrition Security: Assessment and Intervention Strategies | 3
|
| FSEC 315 | Food Policies and their Planning Process | 3 |
| FSEC 320 | Graduate Seminar in Food Security | 0 |
| AGSC 301/NFSC 301 | Statistical Methods in Agriculture/Statistical Methods for Nutrition and Food Sciences | 3
|
FSEC 396
| Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| FSEC 397 or 399 | Project or MS Thesis | 3 or 6
|
The following list reflects suggested elective courses that have been offered in recent terms and is illustrative only. An updated list of suggested electives is provided for enrolled students on a term-by-term basis. The listing and availability of elective courses is subject to change based on course offerings.
Approved Electives:
| Credits
|
|
Rural Development Specialization |
| AGSC 384 | Political Economy of Middle East Development | 3 |
| NFSC 306 | Community Nutrition: Research and Intervention | 3 |
| RCOD 341 | Rural Community Development: Theories, Debates, and Challenges | 3 |
| RCOD 342 | Qualitative Methods
| 4
|
Economics and Policies Specialization
|
| AGSC 376 | Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
AGSC 389
| Research Methods in Applied Economics | 3 |
| ENSC 630 / LDEM 630 | Natural Resource Management
| 3
|
| FSEC 306 | Indicators and Tools for Measuring Food Security | 3 |
| PPIA 301 | Public Policy | 3 |
| PPIA 305 | Economics for Public Policy | 3 |
| PPIA 309 | Evidence, Policy, and Communication | 3 |
| PSPA 316 | International Environmental Policy | 3 |
| PSPA 352 | Foundations of Public Policy | 3 |
| PSPA 361 | Public and Non-Profit Program Evaluation | 3 |
Food Production and Consumption Specialization
|
| AGSC 389 | Research Methods in Applied Economics | 3 |
| CIVE 648 | Climate Change and Water Resources | 3 |
| LDEM 635 / ENSC 635 / PSPA 346A | Political Ecology of Water
| 3
|
| NFSC 351 | Food Safety: Contaminants and Toxins | 3
|
Course Descriptions
Food Security Graduate Diploma – Online
The food security graduate diploma – online offers a multi-disciplinary perspective and area of study. This program is designed for working professionals and future leaders who are looking for a career-transforming opportunity that explores the areas of food security, agricultural production, nutrition security, and public policy and development programming. The food security graduate diploma – online is delivered in a flexible, fully online format.
Those students who wish to extend their course of study can transfer up to 12 credits (four courses) that have been successfully completed under the food security graduate diploma towards the MS in food security degree program.
Requirements
The food security graduate diploma – online requires completion of a total of 12 credits, divided across four required courses.
Required Courses
| Credits |
| FSEC 300D | Food Security: Challenges and Contemporary Debate | 3 |
| FSEC 305D | Agriculture: Technology, Supply Chains, Sustainability | 3 |
| FSEC 310D | Nutrition Security: Assessment and Intervention Strategies | 3 |
| FSEC 315D | Food Policies and their Planning Process | 3
|
Course Descriptions