Program Prepares Science-Based Leaders for the Food and Beverage Industry
AAMU’s Online Food Science Business Master’s Program Designed to Meet Industry Demand
As the food and beverage industry becomes more complex, employers are seeking professionals with expertise in both food science and business strategy. Alabama A&M University’s Master of Science in food science business online (FSBO) is a fully online, nonthesis graduate program created to address that demand.
Now in its second year, the 34-credit-hour program prepares working professionals and aspiring leaders for roles in food production, research, safety, quality assurance, product development and management. Courses are delivered in four eight-week sessions, allowing students to complete the degree in about one year.
The curriculum integrates scientific and business coursework, covering food systems, product development, food safety, marketing, innovation strategies and executive decision-making. Students examine the full lifecycle of food and beverage development, from formulation and packaging to branding and retail strategy.
Graduates of Alabama A&M food science programs work at companies including General Mills, Kellogg’s, Nestlé, Land O’Lakes, Ingredion and Wayne-Sanderson Farms.
The FSBO program enrolled nine students in its first cohort and graduated its inaugural class in December 2025. Six students are enrolled for the spring 2026 semester, with additional graduates projected this year.
“Building on our initial cohort, we aim to enroll and retain 10 to 15 new students annually, progressing toward a sustainable total enrollment of approximately 20 to 30 students across cohorts within five years,” said Dr. Judith Boateng, program coordinator. “High-quality instruction, individualized mentoring, proactive advising, experiential learning and industry engagement are central to our approach, with targeted outcomes of at least 80 percent annual student retention and a 60 to 70 percent degree completion rate.”
Among the first graduates is Travion Miles, who completed the degree in December 2025 and now serves as a production supervisor at Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Decatur.
“My experience with the program has been positive,” said Miles. “Since the program was still new when I began, there were some organizational challenges at the start, which is understandable for a developing program. However, over time the structure, communication and overall flow improved significantly, and the program truly came through in delivering valuable content. I appreciated how the coursework combined food science principles with business concepts, which helped strengthen my understanding of real-world applications in the food industry. The program also encouraged critical thinking and allowed me to apply concepts directly to my professional experience, which I found especially beneficial.”
The degree is housed in the Department of Food and Animal Sciences, which offers graduate programs in applied science and interdisciplinary research, including concentrations in food chemistry and biochemistry, food safety and processing, molecular food biotechnology and animal health.
Applications are now being accepted through the Alabama A&M University Graduate School. Learn more about the MS in Food Science Business Online (FSBO) program here.