Program Overview
The primary purpose of the Master of Sciences in Family and Consumer Sciences is to prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for advanced careers in business, education, hospitals, industry, government, and community agencies, or for entering a doctoral program in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) or in a related discipline. Graduates of the program will be able to synthesize and evaluate research and disseminate findings, demonstrate professional communication skills, and demonstrate advanced practice skills required of FCS professionals.
Program Outline
The degree plan offers thesis and non-thesis options; the requirements for these options differ. All students will take comprehensive examinations and complete a graduate portfolio as described in the departmental manual for graduate students.
[3.1] Thesis Option (30 hours)
Core Requirements (9 hours)
- FACS 6300 Current Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences
- FACS 6335 Evidence-Based Research or ASTL 6380 Research Methods or HLTH 6379 Research in Health Sciences
- FACS 6350 Statistical Methods or ASTL 6382 Educational Statistics or EXSS 6316 Data Analysis
Family and Consumer Sciences Courses (15 hours)
The student selects courses from the list below. Up to three hours may be taken from another department if approved by the major advisor.
- FACS 5V30 Special Topics (variable credit, 1-3 credit hours)
- FACS 5310 Program Development and Evaluation
- FACS 5311 Advanced Family Relations
- FACS 5312 Advanced Child Development
- FACS 5313 Advanced Adolescent Development
- FACS 5331 Advanced Parent Child Relations
- FACS 5332 Advanced Adult Development and Aging
- FACS 5355 Methods and Materials in Teaching Family and Consumer Sciences
- FACS 6301 History and Philosophy of the FCS Profession
- FACS 6303 History of Fashion
- FACS 6305 Problems in Consumer Textiles
- FACS 6306 Clothing Trends
- FACS 6309 Consumer Economics
- FACS 6310 Advanced Resource Management
- FACS 6320 Directed Study
- FACS 6341 Urban Development
- FACS 6342 Design Methods
- FACS 6355 Consumer Affairs
- NUTR 6307 Current Findings in Foods
Thesis Research (6 hours)
- FACS 6V44 Thesis Research
[3.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)
Core Requirements (9 hours)
These are the same as for thesis option.
Family and Consumer Sciences Courses (27 hours)
The student selects courses from the list in §3.1.