Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology
About the Program
The Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology program trains students with scientific, engineering, food, and agricultural backgrounds for leadership and management roles in the dairy foods manufacturing industry. This innovative, one-year master's degree includes coursework in dairy chemistry, dairy microbiology, plant management, project management, leadership, sustainability, and other areas critical to effective dairy plant management. Through the use of experiential and project-based learning, students will develop the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the international dairy foods industry.
Program of Study
Graduate students in the MPS in Dairy Products Technology program are required to complete a prescribed course of study designed to give them an understanding of dairy science and manufacturing, industry structure, unit operations, sanitation, quality control, and regulatory requirements. In addition, students will develop the leadership skills and experience needed to manage and guide teams in a dairy processing environment. Three quarters of on-campus course work are followed by a one-quarter internship related to dairy foods manufacturing. To graduate with the MPS in Dairy Products Technology, students must then pass a comprehensive examination.
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Dairy Products Technology program is designed to prepare students with analytical and critical thinking skills for careers in supervision or management at large-scale dairy processing operations.
The MPS is not a research program. Many of our students have minimal exposure to dairy science but have exhibited an interest in dairy and have demonstrated management potential.
The MPS is a one-year graduate degree program. Our objective is to train managers rather than career scientists. We provide our students with nine months of intensive coursework in dairy science, on campus in San Luis Obispo, and then match students with our industry partners for a three-month paid internship.
The MPS is a non-thesis masters degree program. Students must pass an oral examination to graduate.
Graduates of the MPS program might begin their careers on the processing floor or within departments such as Research and Development, Sensory Evaluation, or Quality Assurance, but their ultimate roles will likely be supervisory.
Employers might rotate our graduates through a variety of departments and business units to help them gain an understanding of the organization as a whole. For graduates of our program, technical skills and knowledge will be important early in their careers, but over time, "people skills" and leadership abilities will play an increasingly important role.
If your goal is to develop a career as a scientist focused on research and development, food safety, sensory evaluation, or quality assurance, you might instead consider Cal Poly's excellent MS in Agriculture program with specialization in Dairy Products Technology. The MS is a more traditional research-focused program that culminates with a thesis project.
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's degree obtained in a field with substantial analytical and critical thinking, such as an engineering discipline, chemistry, physics, biology, or other scientific or agricultural discipline is preferred. At a minimum, applicants must have completed at least one year each of college-level chemistry and biology. Questions about academic requirements should be directed to Program Manager Tom Johnson at 970-215-3459 or tjohns47@calpoly.edu.
Those who do not possess a Bachelor's degree from a postsecondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing system (IELTS) exam.
The TOEFL must have been taken within the last two years with a minimum score of 550 (paper version), 213 (computerized version), or 80 (internet-based). The minimum score for the IELTS is 6.0.
Completed applications must include the following:
- A formal application made through CSUMentor (online or using a downloaded application form). See the CSUMentor Application Instructions for a detailed guide on how to apply.
- In addition to your CSUMentor application, you must establish an Interfolio account following this Interfolio Link 30539. Interfolio is the online provider that we use for prospective students to create an ePortfolio.
- Through Interfolio, upload your unofficial transcripts and self-reported GRE scores. Official transcripts from ALL colleges previously attended (except Cal Poly), should be sent directly from your university to Cal Poly's Admissions Office. Your official GRE scores should be sent to Cal Poly's Admissions office. Scores may also be sent directly to Cal Poly using institution code 4038.
- A minimum of two letters of recommendation (three are recommended) from faculty members or professional references on institutional/company letterhead, addressed to: Thomas W. Johnson, Program Manager, Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0358. Interfolio will provide instructions to help your references upload their letters of recommendation directly to Interfolio.
- See the ePortfolio Guidelines document for a detailed walkthrough of the Interfolio application process.
International applicants, including anyone who would attend Cal Poly while in the U.S. under a non-immigrant visa, must also submit results of the TOEFL test taken within the past two years. The TOEFL results must be directed to institution code 4038. Go to Cal Poly's TOEFL website for additional TOEFL instructions.
Curriculum
The MPS in Dairy Products Technology program prepares students for managerial and supervisory roles in the dairy foods manufacturing industry. This one-year program includes training in applications of dairy ingredients, plant operations, manufacturing processes, dairy chemistry, dairy microbiology, sensory evaluation, and other areas critical to the dairy processing sector. In addition, the program emphasizes leadership training through special study and group/team collaboration.
Program Learning Objectives
Students who successfully complete the twelve-month curriculum and graduate with the degree of Master of Professional Studies in Dairy Products Technology:
- Have obtained mastery of the technical foundation knowledge necessary to enter a management role in large-scale global dairy foods manufacturing organizations, including:
- Chemistry, biochemistry and the chemical changes that occur in dairy foods induced by processing
- Analytical chemistry and instrumentation
- Microbiology and its roles in both food processing and food safety
- Dairy foods ingredient functionality
- Food safety, quality assurance and control
- Sanitary design and cleaning
- Raw materials receiving and control
- Food laws and regulations
- Food sensory evaluation and process quality
- Unit operations in dairy food processing
- Can employ leadership principles and recognize leadership's role in management.
- Are able to use critical thinking and analytical skills to solve problems, evaluate alternatives and predict outcomes in a large dairy food production environment.
- Have developed a strong awareness of the dairy foods industry's place in society and can apply that awareness to formulate plans that benefit their company and society.
Introduction
Founded in 1901, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is one of five comprehensive polytechnic universities in the U.S., with about 18,000 undergraduate and 900 graduate students.
Located in San Luis Obispo, 200 miles north of Los Angeles, Cal Poly maintains a guiding philosophy of “Learn By Doing” that is reflected in the school’s comprehensive curriculum combining technical and professional training with the arts and humanities. This prepares students to become resourceful professionals and innovative leaders from the moment they step foot on campus.
As one of the most selective universities in the California State University (CSU) system, Cal Poly consistently ranks “Best in the West” by U.S. News and World Report and is considered one of “The Best Colleges for Your Money” by Money Magazine.
Accreditation
Cal Poly is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) every ten years. During the accreditation process, Cal Poly completes a self-study process, where we demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the continuous improvement of our programs—both curricular and co-curricular. The vehicle for doing this is the self-study, which asks us to define an inquiry that can measurably improve student learning, an exercise in collaboration and in thinking that is both critical and creative, to cite our own University Learning Objectives.
Awards
- #1 Public-Master's University in the West by U.S. News. 22 consecutive years
- #70 out of 1,500 colleges for "best overall value"
- #13 among public schools for graduates' median salaries
- #7 among public universities for return on investment
- #4 in the nation for Aerospace & Computer Engineering
- #5 in the nation for ROI, Orfalea College of Business
- #1 in the nation for Industrial/Manufacturing Engineering
- #3 in the nation for Civil Engineering
- #1 in the nation for Architecture and Design
- #4 Aerospace Engineering program in the nation for universities that do not offer a doctorate
- Top 10 colleges for highest paid graduates in the field of Education
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