DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Dr. Bernice Richardson, Chairperson
104 Carver Complex - Hobson Wing

MISSION

Family and Consumer Sciences operates within the total mission of the University's land-grant function of research, service, and instruction. More specifically, the main thrust of the Department's program is individual and family well being as impacted by various environmental settings and factors. The knowledge base includes basic concepts and principles regarding individual and family structures, functions and systems. Specialized programs incorporate the knowledge base.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The graduate programs in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) are guided by the following objectives:

1. To provide students with the basic fundamentals of research design, analysis and interpretation.
2. To provide students with advanced scholarly development through a concentrated area of study for 
    advanced graduate studies or positions in education, industry, or government services.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Unit offers the Master of Science, Master of Education and the Educational Specialist degrees in concert with the School of Education. The program for the Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences is flexible in order to allow students the opportunity to achieve professional and personal goals. Students are required to complete a total of 34 semester hours of course work, 13 of which are common core courses. The remaining courses may be taken through one of the Area Concentrations:

1. Apparel, Merchandising and Design

2. Human Development and Family Studies

3. Nutrition and Hospitality Management

In addition to this flexibility, a student has the choice of pursuing a thesis or non-thesis program.

For the thesis option, students are required to take 13 hours of core courses, 15 hours in their technical subject area and 6 hours of thesis research, which includes completion of the thesis.

Students pursuing the non-thesis program are required to enroll in the 13 hours of core courses, 21 hours in an option area and complete a comprehensive project to be reported on in the FCS 514 Seminar. The project should be started after completion of courses in statistics, research, and nine hours of course work in the major area.

The Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education is offered in conjunction with the School of Education. Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work, including 13 hours of core courses and 23 hours of approved courses in Education and areas of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The alternative (Fifth-Year) Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education is also available through the School of Education and FCS. A minimum of 39 semester hours is required. Both the regular and fifth-year program in FCS Education leads to "A" Certification for those who qualify.

The Educational Specialist degree program in Family and Consumer Sciences is also offered in cooperation with the School of Education. The Educational Specialist degree program requires a minimum of 39 semester hours beyond the master's degree. For additional details, see the School of Education section.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

Master of Science (non-teaching)

Students must complete a minimum of 34 semester hours of graduate credit, including the following graduate core courses: FCS 508, FCS 511, FCS 514, FCS 590, FCS 601, SPS 529 or EDU 502, FCS 590, AGB 590 or EDU 503. Twenty-one semester hours from one of the options below must also be selected.

Apparel, Merchandising, and Design - AMD 527, AMD 530, AMD 533, AMD 534, AMD 535, AMD 537, AMD 538, AMD 540, AMD 618, AMD 650.

Human Development and Family Studies - HDF 500, HDF 515, HDF 517, HDF 518, HDF 519, HDF 520, HDF 521, HDF 524, HDF 526, HDF 530, HDF 544, HDF 604, HDF610.

Nutrition and Hospitality Management - NHM 501, NHM 502, NHM 503, NHM 505, NHM 510, NHM 511, NHM 530, NHM 548, FDS 542, FDS 546, NHM 612, MGT 564, MBA 511, MBA 515.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Master of Education in Secondary Education -  Students must complete a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit, including the following graduate courses: FCS 505, FCS 508, FCS 511, FCS 514, EDU 501, EDU 502, EDU 503, EDU 536, SPE 501, EDU 542. They must also select 6 semester hours of courses from AMD, FCS, HDF, NHM, TTE and 3 semester hours of courses from PSY 563, PSY 514, SED 527, SPE 530, PSY 587, EDU 521, EDU 573 or HDF 610.

Fifth-Year - Students must complete a minimum of 39 semester hours of graduate courses, including the following: FCS 505, SED 536, EDU 501, EDU 502, EDU 503, EDU 514, SPE 501, SED 530, EDU 615. They must also select 12 semester hours from advisor-approved 500 and 600 level courses in FCS, AMD, HDF, NHM, TTE, and FDS.

Educational Specialist in Secondary Education - Students must complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate courses beyond the master's degree, including the following: FCS 600, FCS 603, FCS 610, EDU 601, SPE 501, EDU 600, EDU 690, EDU 699. They must also select one course from the following: PSY 563, PSY 514, SED 527, SPE 530, PSY 587, EDU 573, EDU 521 and enroll in 12-15 semester hours from advisor-approved 500 and 600 level courses in FCS, AMD, HDF, NHM, TTE and/or FDS.