Welcome to the Culinary Institute of America
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    CIA Online Master’s in Food Business

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  • Be a Changemaker in the world of Food

    You’re determined to change the world by launching your own food business or growing the food company you work for. Go for it, with our online food business master’s degree. To succeed in this business, you need to assess market opportunities and prepare for what’s ahead in the food world. You’ll be ready to do that and more with this CIA master’s program.

    Highlights:

    • Advance your career while you’re working through online study with top subject matter experts drawn from the food, beverage, and hospitality industry and CIA faculty.
    • Examine global forces like shifting demographics, technology, a renewed focus on health and wellness, and the growing consumer demand for sustainability.
    • Focus on design thinking, marketing and branding, product development, operations, law, real estate, food systems, and leadership that inspires high-performing teams.
    • Gain invaluable insights from guest speakers in food and beverage, finance, marketing, operations, law, entrepreneurship, food concepts, and product development.
    • Begin with a short residency at The CIA at Copia in Napa, CA and finish the program with the final residency at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY, pitching your business playbook to leaders in the corporate, investment, and education worlds.
    • Network with thought leaders and attend the CIA-Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s Menus of Change® conference during your mid-program residency at the CIA in Hyde Park, NY.

    Curious to know more? View the most Frequently Asked Questions about this exciting program.

    Ready to get started? Apply Today!

    Advance Your Career with a CIA Master’s Degree

    The CIA Master of Professional Studies in Food Business degree is designed for professionals who aspire to lead successful business ventures; help existing food, beverage, and hospitality businesses to grow; and capitalize on the unprecedented entrepreneurial opportunities in the global food world.

    The food business master’s degree is ideal for:

    • Current and future food industry leaders charged with bringing innovation to market through restaurant companies, food manufacturers, supply chain operations, and other corporate ventures.
    • Professionals who desire targeted, graduate-level education that focuses on success strategies for entrepreneurial ventures as well as positions in restaurant groups, hospitality operations, product development teams, and retail food businesses.
    • Recent college graduates and mid-career explorers who are passionate about food systems, food entrepreneurship, and food product design and development.

    The program’s online delivery enables busy professionals from any location in the world to continue their work experiences while successfully moving through the curriculum.

    See how CIA alumni are making a difference in the industry. Learn more >

    Curriculum

    The two-year, 30-credit food business master’s degree program includes:

    • 27 credits in asynchronous online courses covering such subjects as food systems, ethical leadership, business, and design thinking, as well as a capstone project developed in concert with faculty advisors and mentors.
    • 3 credits consisting of three short residencies at the California and New York campuses held before the start of your first semester, after the completion of your second semester, and as your final semester concludes.

    See catalog for curriculum and course details

    CIA Master of Professional Studies in Food Business Curriculum Chart

    Download the full curriculum chart (PDF)

    Requirements for Admission

    To enroll in the CIA online food business master’s degree program, you must meet the following requirements by the program start date.

    • Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution, or hold an international equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
    • Complete an English proficiency examination if your first language is not English.
    • See additional requirements. (PDF)

    How to Apply

    Food Business Master’s Degree Affordability

    The CIA is committed to making your education as affordable as possible. You’ll find that our costs are comparable to similar colleges, and more than 90% of our students receive some form of aid. Talk with us! Contact Student Financial and Registration Services at SFRS@culinary.edu or 845-451-1500.

    Eligibility to borrow through the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan program will be determined once you have been accepted into the MPS program and have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also apply for the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS loan to help with any remaining expenses.

    Related Links

  • Frequently Asked Questions

  • No—the CIA does not require GMAT or GRE submittals for master’s degree program applicants.
    No—the online master’s degree program has been designed for distance delivery. Other than the three required short residencies (four to six days), students should be able to complete the program from any location with an Internet connection.
    While the academic rigor of the online master’s degree program does require commitment, we believe the workload and pacing will allow most students to achieve a reasonable work/life/study balance. Students will be enrolled in two, 3-credit-hour courses per 15-week semester. Study time is flexible; students can spread class work across multiple short study sessions or fewer blocks of longer duration to meet their schedule needs. Assignments and associated timelines will vary by course and will be clearly outlined in the syllabus provided at the start of each course.
    No—Food industry experience is always a plus, but is not required as long as your application conveys more than a casual interest in the food business.
    The CIA online master’s in food business has been intentionally designed to be delivered in an environment where students bond and develop into a learning community over the two years. While extraordinary circumstances will be treated on a case-by-case basis, serious candidates are expected to make every effort to stay on pace and progress with their original cohort.
    No—the food business master’s degree program will focus on mindsets, skill sets, and tool sets of significant value to entrepreneurs and innovators in a wide variety of professions in the food industry. Future owners and/or leaders in foodservice operations of all kinds will benefit from the courses taught by professors and seasoned industry experts.

  • Learn About Our Food Business Master’s

     
  • Lori Daniel, founder, Two Chefs On a Roll“There are so many opportunities that are coming online...and if I were to grow a new business today, this program is where I would look to find my next-level managers and executive team candidates.”

    —Lori Daniel, founder, Two Chefs On a Roll
    Michael Mina, chef and founder, Mina Group“The approach the CIA is taking with this master’s degree will help graduates avoid making the kinds of mistakes I made when I was growing one restaurant to two restaurants to multiple restaurants.”

    —Michael Mina, CEO, Mina Group, LLC
  • School of Graduate and Professional Studies Gonfalon

    School of Graduate and Professional Studies

    Students further enhance their food and beverage business knowledge or culinary skills in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Top industry experts and CIA faculty lead deep-dive discussions, research, and focused learning backed by the college’s unparalleled resources and connections. Whether it’s a master’s degree or specialized certificate, a CIA credential is an ideal way for students and professionals to advance their careers. It opens doors throughout the food world and connects graduates to our 50,000-strong, industry-wide alumni network. Learn more about our faculty >

  • Unique CIA Curriculum

    Cool Courses in Food Business Masters

    Master the business side of food in the CIA food business degree program, with courses that may surprise you.

    Check them out

  • CIA Alumni Lead the Way

    Emily Vanlandingham ’20 was inspired by her freshly minted CIA master’s degree in food business to create Farmstand Live, a drive-in food and music festival that she hopes will help rebuild New Orleans’ post-COVID cultural economy.

    Read more

  • Contact Us

    Robert Tremblay ’10, Associate Director—AdmissionsRobert Tremblay ’10
    Associate Director—Admissions
    Robert.Tremblay@culinary.edu
    845-451-1564

    Specializes in assisting master’s programs students

    Make an Appointment
    Admissions Events Calendar
  • Image of Carolyn Kading, CIA food business masters student

    Student Spotlight

    Carolyn Kading
    Master of Professional Studies in Food Business
    “The program’s design around the business aspect of food really drew me in because, while I love to cook, I knew I didn’t want to become a professional chef. I like the strategy, operations, and creativity of running a food business.”
    Read More  
    Dr. Annette S. Graham ’88, CIA Associate Dean—Business Management

    Faculty Spotlight

    Dr. Annette S. Graham ’88
    Dean—School of Business and Management
    Read more about Dr. Annette S. Graham ’88, dean of the school of business and management.
    Read More