Sustainable Food Systems - B.S.
The Sustainable Food Systems bachelor's degree program prepares students to lead and innovate across an evolving food landscape. Rooted in experiential learning and systems thinking, this interdisciplinary program explores the connections between food, culture, policy, the environment and public health. Students gain practical skills in the kitchen/bakeshop and on the farm to develop a deep understanding of how to build more resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems — locally and globally. Free elective credits provide students the opportunity to focus on and further explore areas of policy and advocacy, supply chain management, nutrition, or advanced graduate-level food and law studies.
Upon the completion of the program, graduates are expected to:
- Analyze the effects of change and policy on food systems.
- Apply agricultural food production, sustainable food practices and cuisine concepts to food system issues.
- Advocate for sustainable food systems to various audiences.
- Propose solutions to issues related to the sustainability of food systems.
Sustainable Food Systems
A four-year program leading to the bachelor of science degree
Credits Major Courses | ||
| Choose Culinary or Baking & Pastry Foundational Path | 12 | |
Culinary | ||
| Introduction to Culinary Skills and Techniques (Foundation Courses) | ||
| Breakfast & Lunch Cafe | ||
| Elements of a la Minute Cooking | ||
| Contemporary Cooking & Leadership Functions | ||
Baking and Pastry | ||
| Foundations of Baking and Pastry | ||
| Plated Desserts | ||
| Artisan Bread & Viennoiserie I | ||
| Artisan Cafe | ||
| SFS1001 | Introduction to Food Systems | 3 |
| SFS2110 | Culinary Science, Nutrition & Sensory Analysis | 3 |
| SFS2210 | Cooking from the Farmstand | 3 |
| SFS2410 | Growing for the Menu | 3 |
| SFS3001 | Sustainability in the Culinary Kitchen | 3 |
| SFS3200 | Plant-Based Cuisine | 3 |
| SFS4001 | Cultivating Local Food Systems | 3 |
| SFS4110 | Health & the Harvest | 3 |
| SFS4280 | Capstone Seminar in Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 12 credits from the following: * | 12 | |
| College of Food Innovation & Technology Advanced Internship | ||
Study Abroad SA | ||
| Related Professional Studies | ||
| FSM1165 | The Food Safety Manager ** | 1 |
| FSM2045 | Introduction to Menu Planning and Cost Controls | 3 |
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Communicating | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Connecting | 6 | |
Two courses with the Connecting attribute (ECNG), one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Experiencing | 6 | |
| Ethics: A Global Perspective | ||
Additional course with the Experiencing attribute (EEXP) in a different discipline | ||
| Measuring | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student's placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Exploring | 3 | |
| Nutrition | ||
| Interacting | 6 | |
| Culture and Food | ||
Additional course with the Interacting attribute (EINT) in a different discipline | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Environmental Science | ||
| Free Electives # | ||
| 24 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 24 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
- *
Students in the Sustainable Food Systems program must complete an Applied Experiential Education experience relevant to their area of study in sustainable food systems, including: food production, supply chain management, public health, policy and advocacy, or other related field.
- **
Students must pass a national exam that is recognized by the Conference for Food Protection as a graduation requirement.
Areas of Focus
Sustainable Food Systems students at JWU have 24 free elective credits to tailor their degree to their interests and career goals. They can explore courses across the university, pursue study abroad experiences, complete additional internships, or dive deeper into specialized areas of focus—building a truly personalized and market-ready skill set. Below are recommended areas of interest for Sustainable Food Systems students.
Policy & Advocacy
Earn a minor in Political Science where coursework helps students develop a stronger understanding of how policy, governance, and social justice shape food systems. With this combination, graduates can pursue careers in food-system consulting, policy or advocacy roles in government and NGOs, or leadership positions in sustainable food enterprises, all while being able to speak fluently to both technical food system issues and in political / regulatory context.
Supply Chain Management
Earn a minor in Supply Chain Management to earn a robust foundation in managing the flow of materials, information and finances, which directly complements a focus on food production, sustainability and food-system dynamics. From a career perspective, this combination opens doors to roles like sustainable procurement specialist, supply-chain analyst in food & beverage, or operations/fulfillment manager for companies focused on local/regenerative food systems.
Nutrition
The minor in Nutrition provides a strong science-based complement by deepening your understanding of how food impacts health, communities and ecosystems. The minor covers topics such as life-cycle nutrition, community health, food science and culture. This combo opens doors to roles like wellness or nutrition program coordinator in food systems enterprises, sustainability consultant in the food industry, healthy-menu developer for food service organizations, or community food & health advocate who can bridge production, policy and nutrition knowledge.
Entrepreneurship
The minor in Entrepreneurship gives students a powerful blend of domain-specific food-system knowledge and practical business-launch skills. The Entrepreneurship minor teaches learners how to ideate, pitch, finance, and manage new ventures—perfect for a student who might want to start a niche sustainable-food business or lead innovation in the food sector. This area of focus combined with a food systems foundation opens doors to roles like founding your own sustainable food startup, becoming a business development manager for a regenerative-agriculture enterprise, launching a food-tech platform, or working as an entrepreneurial leader within a larger food-system organization.
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Food Systems Studies
The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Food Systems Studies allows students to jump-start their master’s degree while gaining advanced, real-world perspectives on the future of food. Through graduate-level courses in law and economics, culture and social justice, food safety, and innovation leadership, students deepen their expertise and build professional credentials early. This head start positions them for accelerated entry into careers or graduate study in food policy, sustainability leadership, or food industry innovation.
3+3 Juris Doctorate Law Program
The B.S./J.D. program (in partnership with Roger Williams University and UMass Law) offers an accelerated path to combine food-systems expertise with legal training in just six years. This powerful combination prepares students to address complex challenges in food policy, sustainability law, and regulatory compliance. Graduates are well-positioned for careers as food policy attorneys, sustainable business counsel, or legal advocates advancing food justice and environmental reform.
SaTo be eligible to count toward Applied/Experiential Learning, a Study Abroad offering must meet certain requirements. Contact Experiential Education & Career Services to discuss eligible Study Abroad options for this degree program and visit the study abroad website for information, program descriptions and online applications.
# In addition to classes, free elective credits may be applied to a number of options such as internship, study abroad, and courses in a specialization or minor as relevant. For students who qualify for the J2 program, up to four graduate courses may apply. Students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty advisor before scheduling free elective credits.
Note: Students must pass MATH0010 Pre-Algebra or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in required math courses.
Note: Students must pass ENG0001 Writing Workshop or have equivalent placement scores to enroll in ILS 2000-level courses.
Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university.
For first-year applicants, a completed application and high school transcript(s) are required. For transfer applicants, a completed application and high school and/or college transcript(s) are required. Completion of optional materials is encouraged.
Successful candidates for first year admission have taken a high school, college preparatory academic program including English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language. Admissions decisions may also consider individual experiences and particular circumstances unique to each student. Other considerations are made based upon recommendations, writing ability and extracurricular activities.
Visiting campus, both in‐person or virtually, is a valuable way of assuring that JWU is the right university for you.
J2 Program
The JWU J2 program allows qualified students enrolled in a matriculating undergraduate program to take graduate level courses at JWU. Students interested in pursuing this option should meet with their academic advisor to discuss their interest, qualifications and plans. The undergraduate student may take up to four graduate courses (maximum 12 credits) and are limited to 6 credits a semester and 3 credits per session (Fall Session I and Fall Session II).
The completion of graduate credits to fulfill undergraduate program requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Matriculating undergraduate students who wish to formally enroll in a graduate program must fulfill all requirements for entrance into the intended graduate program and complete a graduate program application.
Note: Not all graduate courses are included as part of this policy. Courses offered as part of the Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and doctoral courses are excluded from this policy and are restricted to program majors only. Additional courses and/or programs as determined by individual colleges may also have restricted access.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to enroll in graduate-level courses (excludes: Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Education, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, doctoral courses, Counseling graduate program courses, and other programs as outlined by the colleges), undergraduate students must meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher
- Completed and registered undergraduate credits at least 90 credits
- Meet the individual course prerequisites
Appeal to Eligibility Criteria
College dean or designee will receive a copy of the Petition Form, Student's GPS and email requesting appeal if the student requests to appeal the GPA or earned/registered credit criteria. College dean/designee will review and determine approval.
These courses carry graduate credit and will replace undergraduate degree requirements when applicable, traditionally free-electives (maximum of 12 credits). The course will be applied to the undergraduate degree in the order in which they are taken (if required) and will also be applied towards both the students undergraduate and graduate GPA.
Students should maintain enrollment in at least 12 credits of undergraduate coursework to maintain full-time status; graduate course enrollment is not calculated into undergraduate full-time status. For students already attending full-time as undergraduates (12 credits or more) and paying the full-time tuition, the graduate credits will be included in full-time tuition fee. Students attending part-time (11 credits or less) will pay the cost per-credit undergraduate tuition for the graduate course.
Course registration will be based on space availability and students enrolled in graduate level courses will be required to maintain good academic standing at the undergraduate and graduate level.