Master of Science in Family & Consumer Science
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences 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.
Course Format
The courses for the general option of the Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and the dietetics option, with the exception of the internship are accessible 24/7 using Blackboard CourseWare. The courses have discussion, email, chat, assignments, and web-conferencing capability. Students also have free technical support 24/7 through UT Martin’s Help Desk.
Faculty
The FCS program faculty hold Graduate Faculty status at UT Martin and all have specialized knowledge and experience in the specific areas in which they are teaching.
Admission Requirements
Applicants may be admitted as degree seeking or non-degree seeking. Degree seeking candidates must meet all university requirements as listed in the university catalog under “Types of Admission.” Individuals who intend to complete the Dietetic Internship must be degree-seeking. Applicants who wish to complete the master’s must meet requirements for unconditional or conditional admission.
Unconditional Admission
400 times the applicant’s Cum GPA plus GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative) must equal or
exceed 1,850 points (minimum acceptable GRE score is 650) OR
400 times the applicant’s SrYr GPA plus GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative) must equal
or exceed 1,950 points (minimum acceptable GRE score is 650)
Conditional Admission
400 times applicant’s Cum GPA plus GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative) must equal or
exceed 1,650 points (minimum acceptable GRE score is 650) OR
400 times the applicant’s SrYr GPA plus GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative) must equal
or exceed 1,750 points (minimum acceptable GRE score is 650) OR
Minimum GRE score of 650 (Verbal and Quantitative) if exempted from the university’s
minimum GPA requirement.
Unclassified or Non-Degree Admission
Applicants who do not meet requirements for either unconditional or conditional admission
may be eligible for unclassified or non-degree admission. Students must have satisfactorily completed prerequisites to advanced courses in the selected areas in family and consumer sciences. Graduates of curricula other than family and consumer sciences may have acquired sufficient backgrounds in related sciences and may be accepted. Each applicant’s request for admission to the program and to specific courses will be evaluated for the need for undergraduate prerequisites.
Admission to the Dietetic Internship Program (DI) is in addition to admission to the university. Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to the clinical portion of the Dietetic Internship Program (DI) in dietetics under Dietetics Option of the master’s program. The applications are screened for selection on a competitive basis by a committee. Exceptions to minimum requirements will be screened for possible acceptance into the program.
1. Minimum of 3.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.00 scale or equivalent.
2. Verification statement showing completion of DPD.
3. Recency of education in courses related to practice. If the degree is more than five years old, six credit hours of college coursework must be taken; if degree is more than 10 years old, 12 credit hours of coursework are required.
4. Preference is given to applicants whose combined Verbal and Quantitative GRE scores equal or exceed 900.
How to Apply
Application to the Graduate School includes the following:
1. Apply for admission by one of the following means:
Apply online ( click here) and complete the credit card payment of $30 non-refundable ($50 for international students).
Acquire an application form online (click here), complete the form and submit to the Graduate Office with a payment (check or money order) of $30 non refundable application fee ($50 for international students).
Apply in person at the Graduate Office and pay the $30 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students).
2. Request the Registrars of all colleges and universities attended to send one official transcript to the Graduate Studies Office.