Food Studies (MA)

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Program Description

The MA program in Food Studies employs approaches from the humanities and social sciences to examine the ways in which individuals, communities, and societies produce, distribute, and consume food. Students analyze cultural, political, economic, environmental, and geographic approaches to food within local, urban, and global contexts. Impacts of critical issues such as immigration, equity and climate change on food are studied through elective courses. Cities at the center of flows of people, produce, and media products, are a focus of student and faculty investigations.

The program:

  • Focuses on policy and advocacy, business and social entrepreneurship, and media and cultural analysis
  • Challenges students with core, specialization, and elective courses offered by the department and by New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; Stern School of Business; Wagner School of Public Service; Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; and Tisch School of the Arts
  • Gives access to experts working in food production companies, nonprofit food organizations, policy organizations and advocacy groups, publishers, public relations and marketing firms, magazines, food distributors, food producers and educational institutions, who enrich the program by serving as adjunct faculty and guest lecturers
  • Emphasizes development of critical thinking and research skills that help students analyze and solve problems that may be encountered in professional work
  • Offers experiential learning courses in global, domestic, and urban venues
  • Broadens work experience through participation in optional internships in a vast array of potential employment sites. Our graduates work in a wide range of food related organizations, holding positions in development, communications, advocacy, policy analysis, food writing, and entrepreneurship. 

Dual Degree Option

Students may also pursue a dual degree in Library and Information Science offered in partnership with Long Island University's Palmer School. International students in the dual degree option may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time through the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension.

Admissions

Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:

  • Résumé/CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts
  • Proficiency in English

See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.

See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.