05 Mar NDSU Master of Public Health program offers new food safety degree
NDSU’s Master of Public Health program now offers a new specialization in food safety. Students can enroll now for fall 2019 semester. The program is available on campus and through distance education formats.
Public health professionals are often on the front lines to help identify and help prevent food safety issues. Detecting such outbreaks and finding the cause are important to public health and safety.
“The NDSU Master of Public Health in food safety will educate future professionals to assist in maintaining the safety of food systems that affect millions of people,” said Abby Gold, vice chair and associate professor in public health. “The program fits well with specializations we already offer in community health sciences, management of infectious diseases and American Indian public health.”
Monitoring and preventing the spread of foodborne disease, disseminating and enforcing key laws or regulations, and educating the public on safe food handling practices are top priorities for food safety. Using innovative methods in molecular microbiology, biotechnology, science-based risk assessment and management, hygiene principles, food safety laws and regulations, and active surveillance programs are key.
During the program, NDSU students will take courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, public health management and policy, environmental health, community health leadership, and social and behavioral sciences in public health. The program includes hands-on practicum experience.
“Upon completion of NDSU’s MPH degree in food safety, students will have the skills and knowledge to become vital frontline members working to keep our population and food systems safe and secure,” Gold said.
The discipline of public health focuses on improving the general health of communities through efforts to monitor the spread of diseases, initiatives to prevent disease and disability, and by promoting healthy lifestyles through education and community engagement.
NDSU’s MPH program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health through December 2021.
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