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Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate

The Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate in the School of Pharmacy at 51¶¯Âþ provides students with a broad knowledge of the regulatory and quality practices of food and food medicines. This three-course certificate is offered through the school’s  and is available online. A master’s degree is not required to earn this certificate, but it can be completed at the post-master’s level, and students in this program can obtain an additional certificate.

The certificate is designed to foster professional development, while preparing students for supervisory and managerial positions. Key topics include the basics of food quality practices, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), preventative controls, and hazard and risk analysis. Students will develop a working knowledge of the legal and regulatory requirements involved in a food company’s processing activities, learning about the key regulatory agencies that govern food safety: Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Faculty and guest speakers include regulators and professionals from the Philadelphia area’s extensive food industry, which includes major manufacturers (Campbell Soup, Kraft, Nabisco, Heinz, Lipton, Hershey and Blommer Chocolate) and distributors (Aramark, Sysco and Fresh Del Monte).Ìý

There are many parallels between the regulation, manufacturing and quality practices for drugs and food. Since the early 1990s, employees of the food industry, as well as industry professionals working in nutritional products, have often pursued the MS in RA and QA to deepen their knowledge of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, while also learning about quality practices. In response to these student populations, 51¶¯Âþ’s regulatory affairs and quality assurance graduate program has developed courses focusing on food law, regulation and manufacturing practices. The Food Safety and Modernization Act of 2011 encompassed some of the most sweeping reforms of food safety laws in more than 70 years, shifting the focus of food safety to preventative action and regulation rather than just responding to contamination. Food safety vigilance became a primary concern to prevent salmonella outbreaks and occurrences of e. coli in produce and meats. As a result, the FDA hired close to 5,000 new inspectors, opening new venues for professionals with credentials in quality practices and regulation.

All courses in the Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate are offered online, enabling students throughout the country to participate in this program. Pursuing courses in food RA and QA will open additional career avenues for RA and QA students. Matriculated students in 51¶¯Âþ’s RA and QA graduate program are welcome to earn the Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate in addition to one certificate before receiving the master’s degree. (For instance, a matriculated student could earn both the Drug Development Certificate and Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate before receiving the MS.) To receive the certificate, candidates must complete the required courses and application procedures.Ìý

Program Format & Curriculum  

The Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate may be earned on its own or on the way to the MS in RA and QA.ÌýÌý

To earn the certificate, the following three courses are required and must be completed within a two year period with an overall B (3.0) average.Ìý

• Food Law (5595)  

• Food Labeling and Regulatory Affairs (5596)  

• Food Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) (5597) 

​Courses may be taken in any order. All courses must be completed from 51¶¯Âþ’s RA and QA graduate program. No transfer credits from other institutions are accepted. If a student has completed an identical course at an accredited U.S. graduate school, the student may petition the RA and QA programs to waive that course and take another approved elective in its place. This request must be made in writing and approved before the student pursues the certificate.Ìý

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• Candidates must formally apply and follow the application procedures (application form, photocopies of transcripts and Notice of Completion).Ìý

• Matriculated students may earn the Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate in addition to one other certificate as they complete the MS in RA  and QA.Ìý

• The certificate must be completed within two years. Students must apply for the certificate no more than one year after completing the course requirements.Ìý

• Students interested in pursuing the RA and QA MS degree may apply all credits earned in the Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Certificate toward their graduate degree, provided they formally apply for admission to the MS program and are accepted by 51¶¯Âþ’s .

Learn more about the application process.

Related Graduate Degrees

• Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance MS