The Top Schools for Food Service Management Degrees

If you’re looking to pursue a career in food service management, earning a degree is essential. A degree in foodservice management will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to successfully lead a food service organization. To meet this increasingly important need, many universities now offer degrees in foodservice management. But how do you determine which school to attend? In this article, we look at the top schools for foodservice management degrees.

First, let’s take a quick look at what you can expect from a food service management degree. Foodservice management degrees provide students with the tools and techniques needed to effectively lead and manage a food service organization. Students learn the complexities of food safety, nutrition, facilities, cost control, and human resources management. Additionally, they gain an understanding of contemporary management strategies, industry regulations and standards, and business principles. With this knowledge, graduates are well-prepared to become successful food service managers.

Now that you know what a food service management degree entails, let’s examine the top schools for this degree. We’ve narrowed down our list to a few select universities which excel in providing quality education and research in this field.

The University of California Davis is one of the nation’s leading schools for food service management degrees. UC Davis offers a comprehensive four-year bachelor degree program focusing on the hospitality industry and the culinary arts. In addition to courses focusing on foodservice management, students also learn about marketing, business law, accounting and finance, personnel management, and general administration. The university emphasizes hands-on experience through internships as well as independent study projects.

Michigan State University also offers a rigorous degree program in foodservice management. The MSU curriculum focuses on food science, food safety, cost management, menu planning, labor relations, and hospitality management. MSU has one of the best-respected research programs in the field and their faculty are widely recognized as leaders in the foodservice industry. Graduates of the program often find employment in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and other types of food service establishments.

Texas A&M University is another great school for food service management degrees. Their four-year program focuses on the fundamentals of accounting, economics, marketing, and hospitality management. An emphasis is placed on food safety and sanitation, customer service, and strategic management. Coursework includes quantitative analysis, menu planning, restaurant operations, hospitality operations, and more. The university operates research centers in food production, quality assurance, and nutrition and health.

Cornell University is a top-ranking university for food service management degrees. The Cornell School of Hotel Administration’s two-year full-time professional program offers an introduction to the global hospitality industry, with a focus on foodservice management. This program has a reputation for producing highly trained and qualified food service professionals. Hands-on experience is emphasized throughout the program, along with coursework in food safety, financial management, legislation and regulations, personnel management, and marketing.

The final school on our list is Purdue University. Purdue’s top-notch food service and hospitality management program prepares students for high-level positions in the industry. Students have the opportunity to learn about food safety, menu development, business strategies, and personnel management. Purdue also hosts a variety of internship and research opportunities in the foodservice industry. Graduates of this program often go on to management roles in foodservice and hospitality organizations.

These are just a few of the top schools for food service management degrees. Many of these institutions also offer graduate and certificate programs, giving aspiring foodservice professionals the opportunity to further their education and career. Earning a degree in food service management is a smart decision for anyone interested in pursuing a career in this field. It’s important to do your own research and visit schools to get a better understanding of the programs and career options available. Good luck!