Tomatoes growing

Certificate in Food Studies

The OSUN Certificate in Food Studies provides a path for students to deepen their theoretical and applied knowledge of food studies with particular emphasis on sustainability and local practices. The Food Studies Certificate follows the combined scholar-practitioner pedagogical approach of the Center for Food Studies at Bard College at Simon’s Rock, featuring approved courses at OSUN campuses, “Courses-in-the-Field” offering students extensive experiences on site in agricultural spaces, and co-curricular hours in food-related work environments of the students’ choosing.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Students currently enrolled in the following Academic Certificate programs must complete their certificate by Summer 2025.

  • Food Studies
  • Global Educational Development
  • Public Policy and Economic Analysis
  • Sustainability and Social Enterprise

The Civic Engagement and Human Rights certificates are currently open for student applications.

New certificate programs in Democracy, Global Humanities, Global Studies, Sustainability and Climate Solutions, and Technology and Society will be announced in Fall 2025.

Students completing the Certificate in Food Studies will develop the capacity to:

1. Understand and appreciate the role of local food and agriculture in a global food system;
2. Teach and learn from others about the particularities and conditions of their own and others’ food systems;
3. Evaluate the impact of environmental factors on agriculture and food consumption;
4. Apply content and integrate knowledge in applied learning opportunities in food studies and related areas;
5. Consider or propose novel solutions to problems related to food (sustainability, access, etc.);
6. Identify cost-effective, ecological, socially just, and culturally competent food choices.

Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at any OSUN member campus are eligible to apply for the certificate.

Requirements

The OSUN Certificate in Food Studies is comprised of the following 16 total credits:
        • Core Course: "Sustainable Local Food in Global Context," a Network Collaborative Course currently offered each fall at Bard College at Simon's Rock, Central European University, and National Sun Yat Sen University (4 credits)
        • Courses-in-the-Field: In person at Bard College at Simon’s Rock Summer Session; possibly practicum courses at other partner campuses; 4 credits taken as 2 x 2-credit courses
        • Partner Courses: Offered at any OSUN partner institution, in person or remote; Courses-in-the-Field can meet 4 credits of this requirement; up to 4 credits can be from credit-bearing internships; total of 8 additional credits; 
        • Hands-on Engagement: 100 hours, divided among at least two different sites/types of engagement (10 hours minimum per site). This can include internships, including credit-bearing ones, or paid work; credits are not required for this component, and cannot double count.

How to Apply

Interested students should be prepared to submit the following information with their application:

  1. A brief essay (1,000 words maximum) outlining
    1. reasons for pursuing the certificate;
    2. completed and intended/potential courses to fulfill credit requirements;
    3. completed and intended participation in relevant conferences;
    4. completed and intended hands-on experiences, including identifying at least two locations for hands-on experience
  2. An email or letter acknowledging advisor approval
  3. An email or letter from at least one hands-on experience site, approving the student to work at that location

Applications will be reviewed by the Certificate in Food Studies Committee, consisting of three to five faculty, drawn from at least two OSUN partner institutions. This Committee will also monitor progress toward the certificate and review completed certificate requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to log and track coursework, conference participation, and hands-on hours, to ultimately submit to the Committee for final approval of the completed Certificate.

Application Portal

For more information, please contact

Marynn Tebben, Bard College at Simon's Rock
[email protected]

News

Learn more
Policy, Practice, and Perspective: OSUN Academic Certificates Provide Students with Experiential Education and Credentials
Post Date: November 21, 2023