Family and Consumer Sciences - Master of Science

The Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences can be obtained with an emphasis in one of the following areas:

• hotel, restaurant and tourism management;
• clothing, textiles and fashion merchandising;
• family and child science (marriage and family therapy emphasis or teaching and research emphasis);
• human nutrition and dietetic sciences (dietetic internship emphasis or human nutrition emphasis);
• food science and technology;
• family and consumer sciences education;
• or general family and consumer sciences.

A minor may be taken in a variety of supporting fields that fit the particular interests of the candidate. A minimum of 30 credits (including 4-6 credits of thesis) is required under the thesis plan and is the recommended program for most students. A non-thesis plan is available that requires a minimum of 32 credits of course work with a written comprehensive examination. Both plans require a final oral examination.

Students will take 3 credits of statistics and 3 credits of research methodology at the graduate level. Students may be required to take a graduate-level technical writing course based on demonstrated writing ability in initial graduate courses. Students who do not have degrees related to their intended areas of specialization may be required to do some leveling work. Prior to the completion of 12 credits, a program advisory committee will be established to determine, with the student, the courses that will be taken for the degree work.