The Packaging Science program offers a nationally and internationally recognized Masters Degree program in two formats: a traditional, full-time program and an accelerated Executive Leader option (see Executive Leader Masters link). The full-time graduate program allows students from diverse backgrounds to learn and apply knowledge through a cutting edge curriculum. The classes are discussion and project based, and provide students the opportunity to learn how to make valuable contributions as future professionals in the packaging community.

The 48-credit graduate program is comprised of core courses, elective courses and a thesis or project. Guided by the graduate program chair graduate students select their graduate advisor and committee to assist them in this very important endeavor.

Curriculum - Packaging core coursework
The curriculum is composed of three components: packaging core courses, research, and elective credit. The MS degree program requires completion of 48 credits of graduate-level course work (20 credits packaging core courses, 20-24 credits of electives and 8 thesis credits or 4 project credits), as follows:

    Packaging core course work
    Completion of a 20 core* credits in graduate-level packaging courses,   
    including

    0607-701, Research Methods*:
    0607-721 Packaging Administration
    0607-730 Packaging and the Environment*
    0607-731 Advanced Packaging Economics
    0607-742 Distribution Systems*
    0607-750 Graduate Seminar
    0607-752 The Legal Environment
    0607-763 Packaging for End-Use*
    0607-770 Advanced Computer Applications
    0607-783 Packaging Dynamics*
    0607-799 Advanced Packaging Design

Admission Requirements
Students entering the program will have a graduate academic adviser appointed and will develop their programs of study in consultation with their adviser. They may utilize the model curriculum to complete their degree requirements, or may propose alternative course work. All programs must be consistent with the general outline of the model curriculum, and have advisory approval. In instances where the student has insufficient academic or practical preparation to study packaging at the graduate level, he or she will work out an appropriate program to correct such deficiency, generally by completing the following undergraduate courses: Packaging Principles, Materials I, Materials II, Rigid Containers, Flexible Containers, Production Systems, Packaging for Distribution, Packaging for Marketing, and/or Shock and Vibration. These courses may not be used for credit toward the MS degree.

Further, a basic competence in statistics and basic computer literacy will be assumed. Applicants for graduate study may satisfy these requirements by having completed the equivalent of 0307-711 and having completed a course in computer applications. Lacking this background, applicants will be required to take 0307-711 and/or 0607-341, or equivalent course work to remedy a background deficiency.

Application for admission for graduate study in packaging will be made through the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services. Final acceptance of the candidate for graduate study will be determined by the department of packaging science. All applicants must have earned a B (3.0) average grade in their final two years of undergraduate degree work, submit transcripts of undergraduate work to the RIT Office of Graduate Enrollment Services and submit two letters of recommendation to the department of packaging science. Normally, completion of the last two years of the undergraduate degree program with a B average will serve to satisfy entrance requirements. In those cases where there may be some question of the capability of the applicant to complete this program of graduate study, he or she may be required to submit his or her scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to support the candidacy.

Research
Students in the master’s program will be required to prepare and defend an 8-credit Graduate Thesis (0607-890) or 4-credit project completed under the supervision of their adviser. The type of research done and the area of study will be agreed upon by the student and the adviser before the student enrolls for graduate thesis or project credits.

Students may also elect to take up to eight credits of Independent Study (0607-798), but this may NOT be used as credit toward the 20 credits of packaging core course work.

Elective Credit
In addition to packaging core (20 credits, including Research Methods) and thesis (8 credits) or project (4 credits), each student will complete a minimum of 20 elective credits selected in consultation with the adviser to complete the degree requirement.

In general, graduate-level course work will be selected to meet degree requirements, but, in limited circumstances, where individual need indicates that it would be appropriate, a limited number of 500-level undergraduate courses (not to exceed 12 credits, in total) may be used to fulfill elective credit.

Financial Aid
Scholarships and graduate assistantships are available in the department of packaging science.

In addition, although an undergraduate curriculum in packaging science is preferred as preparation for the MS program, graduates from certain other disciplines can successfully pursue this program if certain basic packaging science courses are coupled with appropriate work experience.

For more information on the master's program
please contact the Graduate Program Chair.
Professor Deanna M. Jacobs.
(585) 475-6801
dmjipk@rit.edu