Degree Requirements for Department of
Family & Consumer Sciences


The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a master's program with two concentrations: General Family and Consumer Sciences and Dietetics. The first concentration is generalist in nature and based on a selected range of comprehensive courses. The Dietetics concentration incorporates a Dietetic Internship Program (DI) accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. The DI offers graduates of didactic programs in dietetics a post-baccalaureate, clinically based practicum. Students completing the DI portion of concentration two are eligible to take the registration examination that leads to becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). This option incorporates the DI practicum into an advanced-degree program which will lead to an M.S. degree. For either concentration in the major, the shared objectives are to:

  1. Serve the needs of students within the region and within the state who desire advanced subject matter for personal and professional reasons.
  2. Provide an alternative program to highly specialized curricula available at other institutions in the state.
  3. Provide courses which permit students to form integrated concepts from distinct subject matter areas available in the department.
  4. Meet needs of students who require considerable non-traditional scheduling and flexible time frames to complete their degrees.
  5. Maintain high standards of expectation for quality and service to the students, the institutions, and the region.

Students must satisfy the university general requirements and the following requirements specific to the degree.


Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (1251, 1252)

Resume of Degree Requirements

  1. General Family and Consumer Sciences Concentration: 30 semester hours
    • Family and Consumer Sciences Courses 12
    • Courses selected in one or two areas of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Related Courses 6
      • Family and Consumer Sciences 791 - Research Methods (3)
      • Educational Evaluation 710 - Educational Statistics or equiv. (3)
    • Supporting Courses 6
      Courses selected according to studentŐs objective and with approval of studentŐs graduate committee.
    • Thesis Research/Family and Consumer Sciences Electives for Non-Thesis 6
      Thesis topic chosen must relate to an area in Family and Consumer Sciences.

    A minimum of 70 percent of the degree requirements must be taken at the 700 level.

    For non-thesis option, student will write a narrative, comprehensive exam covering major areas studied. Questions will be submitted by all members of studentŐs graduate committee. A final oral examination may be required by the graduate committee.

  2. Dietetic Concentration: 36 semester hours
    • Family and Consumer Sciences Courses 12
      • Food Systems Management/Food Science (6)
      • Nutrition (6)
    • Research-Related Courses 6
      • Family and Consumer Sciences 791 - Research Methods (3)
      • Educational Evaluation 710 - Educational Statistics or equivalent (3)
    • Supporting Courses 12
      • Supervised Practice Component (Admission to DI is required):
        • Food Systems Management 714 Preprofessional Practice I (3)
        • Nutrition 724 Preprofessional Practice II (2)
        • Nutrition 734 Preprofessional Practice III (3)
        • Nutrition 754 Preprofessional Practice V (3)
        • Nutrition 764 Preprofessional Practice VI (1)
    • Thesis Research or Electives 6
      (Must be related to dietetics.)

>Requirements for Concentrations I and II in Family and Consumer Sciences

Students who desire to complete requirements approved by the American Dietetic Association pursuant to achieving Registered Dietitian (RD) status may meet the objective by following either option within the degree program. Students who hold a B.S. degree in Vocational Family and Consumer Sciences Education may add occupational endorsements to their existing certificates while pursuing either option for the masterŐs degree. The supporting courses within the option should consist of courses in family and consumer sciences education which are required as work experiences for the endorsements.

The program of work for each candidate for the degree is individually designed to make use of the candidateŐs existing competencies and to supply the additional academic preparation necessary for meeting the agreed-upon objectives. The program plan is filed with the graduate coordinator of Family and Consumer Sciences.