High Educational Value
Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.
CAREER OUTLOOK
What Can I Do With an Applied Bachelor’s in Culinary Innovation and Food Systems?
+ 42
K
Job openings for Food Service Managers 2024-2034
Job openings for Food Service Managers 2024-2034
$ 65
K
Average salary for Food Service Managers 2024
Average salary for Food Service Managers 2024
+ 6
%
Job growth for Food Service Manager roles 2024-2034
Job growth for Food Service Manager roles 2024-2034
*Source: O-Net Online. Unity cannot guarantee employment. Salary data represents averaged earnings for occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.
The 90-Credit Advantage
Give Your
Career an Edge
With Unity’s Career Edge digital badges, you won’t have to wait until graduation to prove your value. Every skills-first general education course in the Culinary Innovation and Food Systems program awards a shareable digital badge: portable, verifiable credentials you can display on LinkedIn, your résumé, or job applications.
These badges highlight work-ready skills like communication, problem solving, collaboration, and data use, so employers can see exactly what you bring to the table. You’ll also earn a Certificate in Transferable Workplace Skills, giving you a recognized credential to advance your career even before completing your degree.
In the Applied Bachelor’s in Culinary Innovation and Food Systems Program You’ll Learn To:
- Design sustainable food products and menus that balance nutrition, culture, impact, and flavor.
- Analyze and manage farm-to-table supply chains through economic, environmental, and ethical lenses.
- Use business, branding, and finance tools to develop and promote food ventures.
- Communicate with diverse audiences to advocate for better food systems.
- Innovate by applying interdisciplinary knowledge and emerging technologies.
What You Will Study
Culinary Innovation and Food Systems Course Examples
Food Systems and Social Justice
This course explores the social and environmental dimensions of food systems from a global perspective. Through an exploration of the relationships between the natural and built environment, students explore the environmental impacts of food production, food processing, food distribution, and food disposal. Lastly, students learn how power and justice are distributed among the farmers, big agrobusiness, food industry workers, business owners, policymakers, communities, and consumers.
Sustainable Culinary Development
This course explores the principles and basic methods of food preparation, with applications to sustainable culinary development. Specifically, students consider how to integrate sustainably sourced ingredients and produce foods that apply modern trends in global fusion cuisine. In this multifaceted introduction, students learn foundational cooking techniques and considerations for creating balanced dishes (such as flavor, texture, nutrition, and presentation). Students will approach sustainable culinary development and menu planning with accessibility in mind.
The Future of Food: Trends, Technologies, and Global Perspectives
This course examines emerging trends and disruptive innovations that are shaping the future of food. From cellular agriculture and precision fermentation to food waste technologies, urban farming, and AI in menu design, students will critically evaluate the scientific, economic, ethical, and cultural implications of next-generation food systems. The course draws on global case studies and encourages students to forecast trends and propose future-forward solutions to systemic challenges in food production, distribution, and consumption.
Learn More About Unity’s Culinary Innovation and Food Systems Program
Culinary innovation and food systems is a field of study that explores the connections between food, culture, sustainability, and business. It focuses on creating new approaches to cooking, nutrition, and food production while addressing issues like supply chains, food security, and environmental impact. Students in this field gain skills in culinary arts, sustainable sourcing, product development, and systems thinking to lead change in kitchens, communities, and the global food industry.
An Applied Bachelor’s in Culinary Innovation and Food Systems is a 90-credit online degree that combines sustainable culinary practice, modern food systems, and business tools to prepare you to create, source, and scale better food. The program emphasizes applied learning with courses in sustainable cooking, farm-to-table logistics, branding, finance, and go-to-market strategies.
Unity’s 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s program is designed to save you both time and money. With fewer credits required than a traditional 120-credit bachelor’s, you can save up to 25% on your degree cost. You may save even more if you transfer eligible credits from previous college coursework. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about how you can pay for college.
Our 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s in Culinary Innovation and Food Systems is designed for flexibility, with year-round terms (8 per year). By taking 4 credits per term, you can complete your degree in just under 3 years.
Transfer credits can shorten your timeline even further, allowing you to finish even faster and start your career sooner.
Professional Core: 45 credits
Program Core: 42 credits
Elective Courses: 3 credits
- CHEM 101 Chemistry I
- ACCT 1010 Business Accounting
- FOOD 203 Fermented Foods
- BIO 201 Organisms That Sustain the Earth: Understanding Plants
- ENTR 201 Entrepreneurial Thinking and Opportunity Recognition
- FOOD 201 Sustainable Culinary Development
- FOOD 2020 The Future of Food: Trends, Technologies, and Global Perspectives
- MATH 201 Statistics for Environmental Professionals
- SUFA 200 Farm to Table Supply Chain and Food Culture
- HORT 301 Growing Hydroponic and Aquaponic Crops
- FOOD 315 Plant-based Protein Alternatives
- ECON 305 Economic Development Within Planetary Boundaries and Sustainable Development Goals
- ENVJ 307 Food Systems and Social Justice
- MKTG 301 Introduction to Sustainable Branding
- HLTH 4010 Global Nutrition and Public Health
Realizing Your Potential. Protecting Your Planet.
Why Unity Career Edge?
Sustainability Core
Committed to sustainable practices to prepare for a future of environmental awareness.
Personalized Guidance
Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.
Transfer-Friendly
Transfer up to 75% of your degree credits to save even more and finish faster.
Inspiring Faculty
Connect with experts who share your passion for working in the industry.
Future Success
Ranked #1 independent university in the U.S. by the Social Mobility Index.
Multiple Start Dates
With up to 8 terms a year, you can take a break without jeopardizing financial aid.
Learning Flexibility
Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want
