Apr 19, 2024  
2005-2007 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2005-2007 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Family and Consumer Sciences


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Purpose of Programs: The School of Family and Consumer Sciences offers two graduate programs which accommodate students with interest areas in human development and family life, consumer studies, textiles, foods and nutrition, or dietetics. The Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences without Dietetics Option offers study opportunites for content that does not have the dietetics focus and requires a 30 or 32 hour program. The MS in FCS with Dietetics Option offers study that is preparatory to earning the Registered Dietician (R.D.) credential and requires a 36 or 38 hour program.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). Applicants who have not completed a baccalaureate family and consumer sciences program will be expected to satisfy undergraduate deficiency course requirements in addition to their graduate course requirements.  The graduate coordinator will identify any undergraduate deficits at the time the admission decision is made.  Potential undergraduate deficiencies could be FCS 1800- Life Span Human Development, FCS 2100- Nutrition in a Global Society and FCS 3300- Consumer Education.

Program of Study: The study plan shall be approved by the School and filed with the School’s graduate coordinator prior to the completion of 12 semester hours of graduate credit which count toward the graduate degree.

Degree Requirements


Degree requirements include those outlined for the master’s degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master’s Degree”). Each program is designed to meet individual student needs.  Students may select an area of interest and develop a study plan in consultation with and approval of the assigned academic advisor and committee.  Courses may be selected from such topics as human development and family life, merchandising, consumer affairs, and nutrition.  Thirty semester hours with thesis or 32 semester hours without thesis are required.

Graduate Assistantships


Graduate Assistantships are offered each year in foods courses; the child development laboratories; Nutrition Education Resource and Referral; as the Financial Health Coordinator; in student organization management; overseeing the textile laboratory; through Child Care Resource and Referral; and in general support for the School of Family and Consumer Sciences. Brief position descriptions can be found at the following web site: http://www.eiu.edu/~famsci/academics/gapositiondesc.pdf
The weekly work obligation is 18-19 hours. Applications for graduate assistantships for the following academic year are due to the graduate coordinator in the School of Family and Consumer Sciences by February 15 or the following business day. Information on graduate assistantships may be obtained by contacting the Coordinator of Graduate Studies or Chair, Family and Consumer Sciences, 1030 Klehm Hall, EIU.  The following link provides an assistantship application checklist:
 http://www.eiu.edu/~famsci/academics/gadirections.pdf

Core Requirements


Total. Credits: 9

The following graduate level Family and Consumer Sciences courses are required:

Other Requirements


In addition to Family and Consumer Sciences core courses, 21-23 semester hours of electives are to be selected by the student with prior approval of the advisor.  Selection of electives will be determined by undergraduate preparation, inclusion of foundational program’s content area at the 5000 level, professional goals, interests, and needs of the student.
Effective for program admissions for Fall 2008: Students are required to choose one or more of the following options to include in their program for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 semester hours: internship (FCS 5980), thesis (FCS 5950) or complete an approved independent study (FCS 5990). Either the comprehensive exam or thesis is required as the Certificate of Comprehensive Knowledge. Programs of study are completed in consultation with a graduate adviser and program committee and require a presentation component as determined by the program committee in graduate internship, independent study or thesis.

Dietetics Option


Degree Requirements: Upon completion of this option, graduates will be eligible to write for the dietetic registration examination.  The Dietetic Internship is granted accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association, 120 Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-5400.  The program includes a minimum of 1080 clock hours of supervised practice, including clinical, food service/management, and community dietetics.  Thirty-six semester hours with thesis or 38 semester hours without thesis are required. Graduate Assistantship application information can be found at: http://www.eiu.edu/~famsci/academics/msfcs.htm

Core Requirements


The following graduate-level Family and Consumer Sciences courses are required:

Other Requirements


Twelve semester hours of a dietetic core are required:

Additional Requirements for Dietetics Option


Effective for program admissions Fall 2008: Students are required to take 12 hours of internship (FCS 5980), and have the option to write a thesis (FCS 5950) or complete an approved independent study (FCS 5990). Neither thesis or independent study is required. Either the comprehensive examination or thesis is required as the Certificate of Comprehensive Knowledge. Programs of study are completed in consultation with the graduate adviser and program committee and require a presentation component as determined by the program committee in graduate internship, independent study or thesis.

Nutrition Education Specialist


Master’s degree graduates who meet the criteria and attain the competencies specified by the Society for Nutrition Education are entitled to use the designation Nutrition Education Specialist and will be awarded the Nutrition Education Specialist certificate upon graduation.

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