Online Learning
online Master of Science Degree
The first university in the world to offer degrees in packaging now offers online courses! Earn your degree from Michigan State University anywhere you are. Students may complete the requirements for the non-thesis degree in as little as three years.
The Master of Science in Packaging provides a broad education in packaging with an emphasis on strengthening participants' skills in analyzing social, scientific, environmental and business problems associated with packaging. The program includes classes in advanced dynamics, permeability and shelf life, polymeric packaging materials and the stability and recyclability of packaging materials. The School of Packaging at Michigan State University is recognized worldwide for producing leaders in every major packaging industry.
Applications are now being accepted for the online Masters program. Courses can also be taken on an individual basis, or towards a certificate program. These courses can be taken through Lifelong Education, more information on which can be found here: Lifelong Education.
The time commitment for the online courses averages 10 - 15 hours per week. Your time commitment will vary depending on your circumstances.
You are required to have basic computer skills when taking courses online. Please see the Virtual University Orientation page at http://vu.msu.edu/preview/ubw101/
Earn your degree from MSU -- anywhere! Students may complete requirements for the non-thesis degree within three years.
Available Courses
PKG 805: Advanced Packaging Dynamics (3 credits, Spring semester).
Shock and vibration. Distribution hazards and product fragility. Cushion
performance and package design. Environment measurement and simulation.
For more information, click here.
PKG 815: Permeability and Shelf Life (3 credits, Spring semester).
Relationship between the storage life of packaged food and pharmaceutical products and the gas, moisture, and organic vapor permeability of packages in various environments.
PKG 827 Polymeric Packaging Materials (3 credits, Fall semester). Physical and chemical properties of polymeric materials and structures used in packaging. Relationship of properties to performance. Not open to students with credit in PKG 825.
PKG 828 Processing and Applications of Packaging Plastics (3 credits, Spring semester). Processing of packaging plastics: extrusion, coating, film, containers. Effects of processing variables on morphology and performance.
PKG 875: Stability & Recyclability of Packaging Materials (3 credits Fall semester of odd numbered years).
Interactions between packaging materials and environments: corrosion, degradation, stabilization and recycling. Impacts of packaging disposal.
PKG 891 Special Topics: Value Relationships in Packaging (3 credits, Fall semester).
Understanding of the packaging value chain from raw material supplier through the consumer and retailer. Value and importance of packaging will be demonstrated through each sector of the value chain. Importance of top and bottom line sales and profit contributions. Organizational models and new concepts in packaging.
PKG 888 Master's Project (2 credits, any semester).
Master's degree Plan B project. Completion of a project related to packaging issues.
PKG 491 Special Topics: Hazardous Materials Packaging (3 credits, Spring semester).
Review of current regulations, US, international, governmental and trade associations. Using regulations to determine protective packaging options. Laboratory testing and principles for design.
Other Potential Elective Areas
The School does not offer courses in the following areas, but suggests that these areas of study would provide suitable coursework (either online, or taken at a local university) to augment the coursework taken through Michigan State University:
International food law
Manufacturing operations
CAD/CAM
Biochemistry
Chemical Engineering
Statistics
Marketing & Logistics
Agricultural Engineering, post harvest
Horticulture, post harvest
Supply Chain Management
Food Science
Collateral Courses
The following courses are for those who wish to pursue their Masters degree, but do not have a Bachelors degree in packaging. These courses will not count towards the 30 required credits needed for graduation:
PKG 801 Packaging Materials (4 credits, Falll semester).
Physical and chemical properties of packaging materials; design, manufacture, performance and evaluation of packages.
PKG 802 Packaging Machinery, Distribution and Dynamics (4 credits, Spring semester).
Packaging machinery and line operations, statistical process control. Transportation environment. Distribution packaging design and testing.
These courses can also be taken through Lifelong Education as stand alone courses.
Graduate Degree Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Packaging or related field
- 3.0 (B) grade point average in the last two years of the undergraduate program
- One year of college physics and one year of college chemistry, including organic chemistry
- One semester of calculus
- Satisfactory Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score
- Three letters of recommendation
Degree Requirements
The formal program for the M.S. degree must satisfy the following minimum requirements:
Two credits of PKG 888
PKG 827
PKG 805 or PKG 815
12 credits in Packing courses at the 800 level or above, excluding PKG 888, 890, and 899
16 credits in Packaging at the 400 level or higher, excluding PKG 432
16 credits in approved courses at the 800 level or above
30 total credits from approved courses at the 400 level or higher
Note that courses can count in multiple categories
For more information on the Graduate School, please see the following
www.packaging.msu.edu/Graduate
Studies
www.msu.edu/user/gradschl/
Tuition
$510.00 per credit hour for students accepted into the Masters program.
$378.75 per credit for courses taken as a Lifelong Education student,
plus $100.00 per credit Virtual University Access Fee. This rate is
subject to change.
For more information
Mr. Ronald A. Iwaszkiewicz
Placement Coordinator
Coordinator - Distance Education Programs
School of Packaging
Michigan State University
118 Packaging Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824-1223
Phone: 517-432-5179
Fax: 517-432-2036
e-mail: iwaszkie@msu.edu
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