SCHOOL OF PHARMACY

Learn more about the graduate certificate in Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance.

About the Certificate

The graduate certificate in Food Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance is intended to enable Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance (RAQA) students to receive formal recognition for studying food regulation and quality practices, which expands their regulatory knowledge. The certificate is also designed for individuals working in Philadelphia's large food industry so they can earn credentials in this highly important and rapidly expanding field. As the name "Food and Drug Administration" (FDA) implies, numerous parallels exist between the regulations and quality practices of drug and food products. Since the 1990s, employees from Philadelphia's food industry have been engaged in the RAQA graduate program, either taking individual courses or pursuing the MS degree. Then, in 2011, the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) encompassed some of the most sweeping reforms in food safety laws in more than 70 years, shifting the focus of food safety from responding to contamination to preventing it.

Through completion of the certificate, students become:

  • knowledgeable and conversant in key regulatory practices that prepare them for supervisory and managerial positions in the food industry or better prepare them for positions in the pharmaceutical industry with food-related products;
  • fluent in discussing the basics of food quality practices, including good manufacturing practices (GMPs) and preventive control and hazard/risk analysis;
  • knowledgeable about the legal and regulatory requirements involved in a food company's processing activities;
  • capable of identifying the key regulatory agencies—in addition to the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)—involved in food quality assurance and regulation, being familiar with their roles, responsibilities, and missions; and
  • fluent in knowing where to find the latest FDA regulatory changes in the food industry so they can respond quickly to new regulatory and quality trends and developments.

Time Limit for Certificate Completion: 2 years

Campus Location: Online and Fort Washington

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The certificate may be completed on a part-time basis. NOTE: International students may not be eligible to apply for a student visa based on admission to the certificate program. Please contact the School of Pharmacy's program coordinator for more information.

Job Prospects: Those completing the certificate gain the knowledge and skills to prepare them to address the laws and regulations set forth in FSMA. Graduates are at an advantage when pursuing an FDA career in food inspection or employment with food manufacturers. They are also prepared to work with the medical foods of the RAQA industry, such as baby formula, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and vitamins.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: The certificate program may be completed on a non-matriculated basis.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:
Fall and Spring admissions are on a rolling basis. Interested students should contact the School of Pharmacy for permission to enroll in coursework.

APPLY HERE to the post-baccalaureate certificate program.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: Applicants must hold a BS degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or a health-related discipline.

Certificate Requirements

Number of Credits Required to Complete the Certificate: 91

Required Courses:

QARA 5595Food Law3
QARA 5596Food Labeling and Regulatory Affairs3
QARA 5597Food Good Manufacturing Processes3
Total Credit Hours9
1

Upon completion of the certificate, students who choose to pursue additional study in food issues are recommended to take QARA 5594 Regulation of Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods (3 s.h.).

GPA Required to be Awarded the Certificate: 3.0 minimum

Contacts

Certificate Program Web Address:

https://pharmacy.temple.edu/raqa/certificate-programs/pre-masters-certificates/food-ra-and-qa

Department Information:

Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Graduate Program

425 Commerce Drive, Suite 175

Fort Washington, PA 19034-2728

qara@temple.edu

267-468-8560

Mailing Address for Application Materials:

Temple University

Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance Graduate Program

425 Commerce Drive, Suite 175

Fort Washington, PA 19034-2728

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Wendy Lebing, MALD, MS

Assistant Dean

qara@temple.edu

267-468-8560