Academic Program Proposal

Date Proposal Activated	Institution and Proposal	Degree Awarded	Academic Program Name	Objection Deadline	MHEC Final Action	Final Decision Date
12/31/2016	Johns Hopkins University Proposal	A.O.C.	Food Systems	3/1/2017	Recommended	4/18/2017
Food Systems Program Description
The area of concentration in Food Systems within the existing Master of Public Health provides an opportunity for multi-disciplinary, inter-departmental education to prepare students from diverse individual and professional backgrounds to address the critical public health challenges of feeding a growing world population in the face of diminishing resources, climate change, and increasing rates of diet-related disease globally.  The concentration is for students interested in focusing their studies and career on food systems and public health in academia, non-profit organizations, private industry, health departments, and other government agencies.  Graduates of the program will be able to define and describe the food system; describe the history and evolution of food systems and food production practices; use a systems perspective to analyze and apply critical thinking to interrelationships within the food system; analyze the strengths and weaknesses of political, social and economic policies and other interventions to address food system issues; and apply selected skills to promote a healthy and sustainable food system.