Online Program
The JIFSAN online Food Safety Risk Analysis courses started in 2004 and until 2008 have trained over 400 professionals worldwide. Lectures and assignments are posted to a class web site for participants to access when it is most convenient. Participants are also expected to participate in discussion boards and submit assignments.
The online courses are designed to be taken by an asynchronous cohort. That means all participants taking the course begin and end the course and its individual segments at the same time. Participants are free to complete the work for the required segment at any time during the prescribed period as long as they meet all course schedules. This is a demanding course for seven weeks and so we try to make some accommodation for your schedule by making many individual exercises optional.
Online learning requires engaged learners. You will learn from the material, the instructor and from each other. The variety of perspectives provided by other learners is, perhaps, the most unique aspect of these courses. Consequently, active and timely participation are crucial not only to our learning but to others' learning as well.
JIFSAN offers 5 online courses in pre established dates during the year; however, we do often receive request to organize a new class group or develop a customized online program. If you have 10 or more people interested in taking a JIFSAN risk analysis online course, contact us and we will discuss alternatives.
Online Course List
Below is a listing of the online courses we offer, along with a link to a description of each course.
- Overview of Risk Analysis
more info - Food Safety Risk Management
more info - Food Safety Risk Communication
more info - Food Safety Risk Assessment
more info - Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
in Food Safety Risk Assessment
more info
The courses are divided in modules. The relevant requirements are found at the start of each module. Recommended readings are actively identified in the online text material and passively through the provision of links to additional materials. Once the course starts, all class schedules such as reading assignments and exercises due dates can be found in the course calendar that helps you organize your time as you go along.
Most of our online courses utilize reading assignments, video and/or audio files, participant reflections, self assessment quizzes, small group assignments, optional individual exercises and discussion boards to teach you about the different aspects of risk analysis. The small group assignments are designed to encourage collaboration with each member contributing their knowledge, skills, and perspectives to the class. Because of the differences in time zones and personal opportunities to do the course work we allow a few days for the conversation and social interaction to take place for each exercise. Your participation in the small group exercises is the most essential element of a successful and rewarding course, so it is taken seriously. Your interactions with one another in the exercises determine the quality and satisfaction of the learning experience far more so than does any other element of the course.
Do not be intimidated if English is not your first language. You need to be able to understand the material and express yourself; however, by no means your English needs to be perfect, our instructors are used to working in an international environment and will motivate you to participate. About a third of the participants in our online classes are from a country other than USA, which gives you a great opportunity to network and interact with people from other countries that are in your area of work.
The time you dedicate to an online course varies tremendously from the type of course, your level of experience in the area, how much you participate on discussion boards and how much you are willing to learn as there are always extra references for participants willing to learn more. Do not expect to spend less than 1 hour a day (5 hours a week) in a course.
Prices & Schedule
Online Course Schedule (JUNE 2009)
| CERTIFICATE | COURSE | INSTRUCTOR | SCHEDULE | FEE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview of Risk Analysis * | Dr. Yoe | Feb 18 - Mar 4 | $500 | ||
| Food Safety Risk Management | Dr. Yoe | Mar 11 - Apr 22 | $1200 | ||
| Food Safety Risk Communication | Dr. Turner | TBA | $1,200 | ||
| Food Safety Risk Assessment | Dr. Yoe | Aug 26 - Oct 7 | $1,200 | ||
| Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Food Safety Risk Assessment | G. Paoli | Oct 20 - Dec 4 | $1,200 | ||
* Overview of Risk Analysis online is not part of the online Core program because the Food Safety Risk Management course incorporates the Overview modules. This does not occur in the face-to-face format.
** CEUs are available for each course upon request and at a cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
To see the Online Courses FAQ resource, click here.
Questions regarding course content should be referred to Juliana M. Ruzante, DVM, MPVM, Ph.D - JIFSAN Risk Analysis Program Manager: jruzante@umd.edu
