Sustainable Food Systems, BS
Look beyond agriculture and nutrition to understand how the entire food system works. In this sustainable food systems degree, you'll design solutions that strengthen food security, public policy, environmental resilience, economic opportunity and public health.
Quick facts
Locations
Courses
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: Yes
International students (F1) can extend U.S. work experience by 24 months.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
Sustainable Food Systems degree description
The Bachelor of Science program in sustainable food systems trains you to become an effective agent of change through applying sustainability principles to food system policy and practice. You explore the complex human and environmental drivers of food and agriculture challenges, and you analyze what's needed to make food systems more sustainable.
Coursework covers food system issues from production to consumption, with insights into economics, policy, innovation and social justice dimensions of food and agriculture.
You can become an active, engaged member of a community that helps drive ASU's No. 1 ranking for its impact in advising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Why study sustainable food systems at ASU?
In 2023, ASU's Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems joined three other universities and FoodCorps to secure a grant focused on educating the next generation of food systems leaders. Backed by that funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) NextGen program at ASU is building a pipeline of young professionals trained and ready for careers across the food and agriculture sector. Along the way, you'll find scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students studying sustainable food systems, paid internship opportunities and workshops to help you navigate USAjobs.
Additional details
Beyond your coursework, you can tap into a range of opportunities through the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, along with hundreds of study abroad options and student organizations across the broader ASU community.
Courses
Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.
| Sample courses |
|---|
| SOS 102 Quantitative Reasoning for Sustainability |
| SOS 211 Calculus and Probability for the Life and Social Sciences |
| ECN 221 Business Statistics |
| SOS 110 Building a Sustainable World |
| SOS 220 Systems Thinking |
| SOS 310 Equity, Justice and Sustainability |
Course checksheet and curriculum archive
The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.
Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).
Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.
If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.
See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)
ASU students who would like to change their major to sustainable food systems are required to have a minimum cumulative ASU GPA of 2.50 based on at least 12 credit hours of ASU coursework.
Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, students of all majors, including programs in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships across the world, increasing their professional network.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures study abroad webpage and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimate
Build the career and future you want
Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:
| Career | Growth | Median Salary | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Manager | -3.4% | $89,900 | Learn more |
| Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) | 5.6% | $64,070 | Learn more |
| Community Health Worker | 12.7% | $51,850 | Learn more |
| Environmental Protection Specialist | 6.1% | $82,220 | Learn more |
| Food Scientist | 6.2% | $88,720 | Learn more |
| General Manager (GM) | 5.0% | $105,770 | Learn more |
| Procurement Specialist | -8.1% | $50,580 | Learn more |
| Regulatory Affairs Manager | 4.9% | $141,900 | Learn more |
| Sustainability Specialist | 3.9% | $83,050 | Learn more |
Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
More about careers
Careers this sustainable food systems degree prepares you for
Graduates have a broad understanding of sustainable food systems and are prepared for pursuing careers in areas such as:
- agricultural development and poverty alleviation --- contributing to projects enhancing agricultural practices in underserved regions and fostering economic growth and food security
- community food systems management --- leading initiatives promoting local and sustainable food systems, tackling diet-related health issues, and advocating for healthier food choices
- food entrepreneurship and marketing --- starting sustainable food ventures, innovating in product development, and engaging in marketing and agribusiness to promote eco-friendly food products
- food literacy --- educating communities on sustainable food choices, cultivating awareness and responsible consumption habits
- public policy and advocacy --- advocating for sustainable food policies, participating in governance and leading grassroots movements for change
- resource management for sustainable food production --- playing a vital role in sustainable resource management, safeguarding the environment during food production
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Sustainability
|
WCPH 4th floor
cgfadvising@asu.edu
480-727-6963
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
