Food Marketing MBA/MS

John Stanton, Ph.D.,  Chair Food Marketing Department
Terese W. Waldron, Director
Kathleen Klarich, Program Manager
Jeannine Kinney, Administrative Assistant

The Food Marketing MBA/MS Program is rooted in a 50-year tradition of academic excellence in Food Marketing and is designed for leaders and professionals with strong backgrounds in the food and beverage industries and associated fields. Our unique program provides advanced academic and developmental experiences in strategic marketing and related business disciplines. Students together with a network of industry peers earn an M.B.A. or M.S. degree  by attending either Friday/Saturday sessions on the SJU campus or weekly online sessions. Courses are led by world-class faculty and are often co-taught with industry experts. Course work encompasses both strategic and "hands on" experiences. Onground courses are offered nearly every weekend. Several online courses are offered each semester. Students may take as few or as many classes as fit their schedule, and matriculate at their own pace - in as little as two years or as long as six years, the maximum time limit.

Mission Statement

The mission of Saint Joseph’s Food Marketing MBA/MS Program is to develop current and future leaders by providing industry programs for all segments of the food industry, delivering these programs to the life-long student in a flexible and convenient format within state-of-the-art environments.

Location and Time of Onground Courses

Courses with live instruction are offered on the Saint Joseph’s University campus on Friday and Saturday. Classes generally begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 5:00 p.m. each day. Virtual instruction occurs at various times as listed by faculty in their syllabi.

Online Courses

Online courses that are 2.0 credits (foundation and core) cover a one month period, and include a live, once-a-week, online evening class session.  Online courses that are 3.0 credits (industry-focused courses) cover an 8-week period and include a live, once-a-week online, evening class session.

The only course in the curriculum not offered online is our Capstone course.  This is a three-day (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) course that students take near the end of the MBA program.  This course will be held at SJU or at an off-campus conference center in Lafayette Hill, PA (about 15 minutes from campus).    All students are invited to mix both live and online classes, creating a hybrid and offering the ultimate in flexibility.

Learning Goals and Objectives

Leadership:  Students will gain an understanding of concepts, theories, and practices of effective leadership.

Stakeholder Value/Functional:  Students will demonstrate understanding of the concept of value creation, measurement, and the role of the different business functional areas as they apply to company stakeholders.

Problem Solving/Critical Thinking:  To develop critical thinking skills, that is, the process of conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information as the basis for solving problems and making decisions.

Interpersonal/Communication skills:  Students will demonstrate the ability to correspond effectively and persuasively in a business format and present to both individuals and groups clearly and persuasively.

Ignatian Values:  Students will develop an appreciation for and ability to apply Ignatian values  - an insistence upon ethical decision making and a desire for social justice – to business decisions.

Global/Diversity:  Students will understand the challenges businesses face in a global economy, and the cultural issues firms must address to succeed in this environment. A fuller understanding of and respect for diversity in the population and in organizations related to differences across cultures, ethnic groups, socio-economic groups, gender and sexual orientation.

Program Specific Objective:  Students will acquire knowledge of food and beverage marketing strategy including: developing strategic and tactical plans; marketing research and data analysis; segmentation and positioning; and the marketing mix: product decisions, pricing decisions, distribution decisions, and communications decisions.

Graduate —  Food Marketing – MS Program Learning Goals and Objectives

Leadership:  Students will gain an understanding of concepts, theories, and practices of effective leadership.

Problem Solving/Critical Thinking:  To develop critical thinking skills, that is, the process of conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information as the basis for solving problems and making decisions.

Interpersonal/Communication skills:  Students will demonstrate the ability to correspond effectively and persuasively in a business format and present to both individuals and groups clearly and persuasively.

Ignatian Values:  Students will develop an appreciation for and ability to apply Ignatian values - an insistence upon ethical decision making and a desire for social justice – to business decisions.

Global/Diversity: Students will understand the challenges businesses face in a global economy, and the cultural issues firms must address to succeed in this environment. A fuller understanding of and respect for diversity in the population and in organizations related to differences across cultures, ethnic groups, socio-economic groups, gender and sexual orientation.

Program Specific Objective 1:  Students will acquire knowledge of the food and beverage industry: the macro environment in which the industry operates; industry structure; industry functions; and operations.  Students will acquire knowledge of the supply chain for both retail as well as the food service sectors of the food and beverage industry.

Program Specific Objective 2:  Students will acquire knowledge of food and beverage marketing strategy including: developing strategic and tactical plans; marketing research and data analysis; segmentation and positioning; and the marketing mix: product decisions, pricing decisions, distribution decisions, and communications decisions.

Three Academic Tracks

Track 1: Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Food Marketing.

This program provides a strong generalist business curriculum with a comprehensive concentration in Food and Beverage Marketing.  Students will acquire knowledge of Food and Beverage Marketing strategy, including developing strategic and tactical plans, marketing research, data analysis, market segmentation, positioning, product/pricing/distribution decision-making and communications.

Students earn their Master of Business Administration in Food Marketing degree upon successfully completing 20 courses and earning 48 credits (foundation courses may be waived upon review of academic transcripts).

Track 2: Master of Science (M.S.) in Food Marketing

The program is perfect for the student not interested in traditional MBA courses; one who prefers to focus on the unique challenges of the food and beverage industry itself.  The program offers courses focused on specific industry topics. They are not linked in any sequential manner, and it is not necessary for students to attend courses in a structured sequence.  Participants earn a Master of Science degree in Food Marketing after successfully completing 13 courses and earning 37 credits (including one foundation course which may be waived upon review of academic transcripts).

Track 3: Post-Master’s Certificate in Food Marketing or Advanced Graduate Certificate in Food Marketing

This program provides those individuals with a general Master’s, M.B.A or other post-graduate degree the opportunity to augment their knowledge of the food and beverage industry through the completion of post-graduate course work that focuses specifically on topical, industry-related issues.  Participants will earn a Post-Master’s Certificate in Food Marketing upon successfully completing 4 courses and earning 12 credits. Students who would like to take four of our food industry-focused courses, that can later be applied to our MBA or MS programs, can do so by completing an Advanced Graduate Certificate.

Curriculum for the M.B.A. in Food Marketing

The Master of Business Administration degree in Food Marketing requires successful completion within six (6) years of 20 courses and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Courses are distributed as follows:

Curriculum for the Master of Science in Food Marketing

The Master of Science degree in Food Marketing requires successful completion within six (6) years of 13 courses (37 credits) including 11 Food Marketing Specialization courses from the MBA curriculum list. Unless waived per undergraduate transcripts, students will be required to complete FIN 501 and BUS 582 as well. Minimum GPA of 3.0 required for degree.