Two students making SDSU cheddar cheese.

Dairy Manufacturing (B.S.)

Innovate with dairy products.

Dairy products are vital components of nutritious diets around the world. Dairy manufacturing focuses on the processing of high quality, safe and a wide range of dairy products.

Graduates will develop a working knowledge of the chemical, physical and microbiological properties of select dairy foods. They will also be exposed to dairy and food process engineering principles and facilities management, leading to numerous exciting job opportunities all around the country.

The state-of-the-art Davis Dairy Plant provides hands-on experience through laboratory and employment opportunities along with commercial internship experiences. Graduates will become leaders in the dairy processing industry.

Compensation and job outlook according to the Institute of Food Technologists

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Contents

Is it for you? Career Opportunities Recent Employers Internship Opportunities Ready to take the next step? Suggested Certificates, Dual Majors & Minors

I believe I can make a difference, whether that's a small difference with saving water or even a big difference with making a new product. What interests me about the dairy world is how complex it is.

Raul Berrones Pedraza , dairy manufacturing student and Valley Queen intern

Is it for you?

This program will be a good fit if you:

Are interested in personal and professional growth opportunities.
Have an interest in the creativity it takes to develop safe, new foods through core science principles.
Enjoy intellectual challenges within food manufacturing, safety and overall quality.
Have a desire to lead and collaborate with others in an exciting lifelong career.
Find the psychology, marketing and perception of food by consumers fascinating.

Career Opportunities

Explore possible career opportunities with this degree:

Ingredient marketing and communications specialist
Sensory science specialist
State or federal inspector or auditor
Quality assurance and control supervisor or manager
Research and development specialist
Food regulation and policy adviser
Food or flavor chemist or researcher
Food manufacturing plant manager
Dairy microbiologist or lab technician
Dairy manufacturing engineer

Recent Employers

Graduates have gone on to work at employers such as:

Valley Queen Cheese
Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny)
Schreiber Foods
Associated Milk Producers Inc
International Flavors and Fragrances
Prairie Farms Inc
Lactalis
Bel Brands
Fairlife
Agropur

Internship Opportunities

We have provided the following internship opportunities:

Midwest Dairy
Wells Enterprises (Blue Bunny)
Stensland Dairy
Prairie Farms
Associated Milk Producers Inc
Valley Queen Cheese
Grain Millers Inc
Agropur
Schreiber Foods
Great Lakes Cheese

Ready to take the next step?

Contact Our Department

Londa Nwadike

Visit Department

605-688-5731

Helpful Resources

Program Requirements

Academic Advising Guide Sheets

Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center

Transfer Student Information

Request More Information

Paying for College

Scholarship Information

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Suggested Certificates

Workplace Intercultural Competence Certificate (Undergraduate)

Certificate

Bioprocessing Sciences Certificate (Undergraduate)

Certificate

Two students stand in a grassy field observing a herd of black cattle under a cloudy sky, with one person pointing toward the animals.

Global Agricultural Leadership Certificate (Undergraduate)

Certificate

Lobbying and Government Advocacy Certificate (Undergraduate)

Certificate

Suggested Minors

Food Safety Minor

Minor

Agricultural Business Minor

Minor

Bioprocessing Sciences Minor

Minor

Leadership Minor

Minor

Management Minor

Minor

Human Resources Minor

Minor

Accounting Minor

Minor

Microbiology Minor

Minor

Land Valuation & Rural Real Estate Students in Field

Agribusiness Marketing Minor

Minor

Spanish Minor

Minor

Suggested Dual Majors

Dairy Production (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Student giving a presentation in a classroom.

Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) – Agricultural Education Specialization

Undergraduate

Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) – Communication Specialization

Undergraduate

Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) – Leadership Specialization

Undergraduate

Professor showing bananas into plastics in the lab.

Food Science (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Three individuals working in a chemistry lab

Chemistry – ACS Certified (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Four students standing next to a vehicle students designed and built for NASA's Break the Ice Lunar Challenge.

Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Microbiology (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Two women work in a lab, one with a microscope

Biology (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Student working in an electrical engineering lab.

Electrical Engineering (B.S.)

Undergraduate

Still Undecided?

If you are uncertain about your major and have questions about career planning, you are not alone. Choosing a major or career can be a very difficult decision. We're here to help.

Exploratory Studies Program

FOCUS 2 Career

Office of Career Development