Cal Poly's Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Dairy Products Technology program is a one-year Master's degree program that provides students with the skills and credentials needed to become leaders in the dairy manufacturing sector. Graduates of our program will find employment opportunities with large cheese and yogurt producers, fluid milk operations, and ice cream manufacturers. Employment opportunities exist nationwide.
We developed this program in response to requests from our industry partners, who tell us there is a strong need for trained leaders in their industry.
Our program involves nine months of coursework, on campus in San Luis Obispo, followed by a three-month internship with a large-scale dairy processor. During their internships, our students earn $20-30/hour. Graduates of our program can expect starting annual salaries in the $60,000-$70,000 range.
Some key points:
- We're training students for management positions in large-scale dairy processing facilities
- There is strong industry demand for our graduates
- Our program is designed in partnership with and is guided by employers
- Students will interface with high-level industry executives
- We seek critical thinkers with analytical degrees (Dairy experience is not required)
- Dairy processing is technologically-sophisticated and science-driven
- Dairy processing is a high-growth, international industry resistant to economic downturns
- Students will participate in paid internships after only nine months
- Students will graduate with a Master's degree in only 12 months
- Starting annual salaries for our graduates average $60,000-70,000
- The ideal candidate for our program is a college graduate with critical thinking skills and leadership potential, as well as an analytical degree (chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, dairy science, food science, etc.)
We seek 24 qualified students for the 2015 cohort and will begin taking applications October 1.
Below is a link to more information about our program:
