Food Business Management

On admission to the university, students enroll directly in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and may then declare a major in food business management. Each student is then assigned a faculty advisor in the Department of Food Science and Technology. 

Food business management core classes:

• Introduction to Food Science 
• Accounting    
• Management 
• Introduction to Food Processing   
• Food Processing   
• Marketing    
• Food Safety    
• Food Quality Assurance  
• Food Plant Operations   
• Food Additives
• Food Product Development
• Technical Problem Solving

Each student is required to complete an internship to gain hands-on, practical experience in the food industry. Upper-level students often work part-time or over the summer in industry jobs and earn credit for the learning experience. Students work with the industry coordinator to ensure they find the internship that is right for them.

FoodS.U.R.E. — the Food Science Undergraduate Research Experience — connects undergraduate food business management students with faculty advisors for a research project in an area of the student's choosing. The project culminates in a presentation at the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' spring research forum. Participants will earn course credit and may apply for scholarship funding. 

The Food Science and Technology Club, Citation Needed and Know Food Waste provide excellent opportunities for food business management students to meet peers with common interests and to develop leadership, scientific communication and networking skills. Members gather to share employment experiences, connect with faculty and participate in social events.

Learn more at https://fst.osu.edu/future-students.

The food business management program combines knowledge of business with a knowledge of food processing to create leaders in the food industry. Our graduates lead food and beverage companies around the world. Specifically, graduates of our program hold titles such as Chief Operating Officer, Operations Manager, Commodity Merchandiser, Quality Assurance Team Leader, District Manager, FSQA Specialist, General Manager, Process Engineer, Product Development Manager, Product Specialist, Production Supervisor, Regulatory Affairs Manager, Senior Group Leader, Packaging Resource, Facilities Manager, Quality Management Specialist and Customer Service Specialist. 

In 2017, the average starting salary for food business management graduates was $50,000. Salaries vary depending on job location, skills and previous experience.