Apr 08, 2025  
2018-2019 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
Catalog Home
The University
The Graduate School
Administration
Academic Calendars
Admission Procedures
Graduate Degree Programs
Regulations & Requirements
Expenses & Financial Aid
Course Information
Course Descriptions
Campus Map
Graduate School Application
Residency Regulations
2018-2019 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Family and Consumer Sciences

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Degree Programs

 Mission Statement:  The Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences graduate program prepares students through teaching and experiential learning, research, and theoretical application to improve our diverse global society. The program’s integrative approach is designed to prepare graduates for leadership positions by advancing critical thinking, reflective practice, knowledge, and communication skills.

The program can be completed in the online, hybrid, or face-to-face formats. All required courses are offered in online and face-to-face formats on a regular basis.

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 undergraduate deficits at the time the admission decision is made.  Potential undergraduate deficiencies could be FCS 1800- Life Span Human Development, FCS 2100- Personal Nutrition and FCS 3300- Personal and Family Finance.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

 

 

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, consumer studies, textiles or foods and nutrition.  Thirty semester hours with thesis or 33 semester hours without thesis are required.

Core Requirements

Total. Credits: 12

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

Suggested Electives

Electives must be approved by the student’s graduate committee (21-23)

Thesis or Professional Capstone

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.
As a requirement for the Certificate of Comprehensive Knowledge, students are required to choose to complete a thesis or a professional capstone. The professional capstone includes satisfactory completion of a written (paper) and oral (presentation)  completed during an Independent Study (FCS 5990) or Internship (FCS 5980) for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 semester hours.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are offered in food and nutrition laboratories; the child development laboratories; the textile laboratory; Nutrition Education Resource and Referral;Literacy in Financial Education Center; Child Care Resource and Referral; and in general support for the School of Family and Consumer Sciences. 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. 

Accelerated Graduate Program

Admission to the accelerated MS in Family and Consumer Sciences requires that a student have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit and have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25. In addition, applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of FCS courses.

To apply for the accelerated MS in Family and Consumer Sciences, applicants meeting the above requirements must submit two letters of reference, a resume,  and a letter of intent addressing the integrative and holistic nature of the discipline of family and consumer sciences including one or more examples to complement the response, and how a degree in family and consumer sciencse will assist in achieving career goals. Items must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator and students must also complete the Graduate School’s Accelerated Program Application.

Shared Coursework

Students accepted into the accelerated graduate program may take the following courses as shared credit. 9 hours may be shared.

Please note that stated prerequisites will need to be completed before enrolling in the courses. Please work with your undergraduate academic advisor in the selection of the following shared courses.

 

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate Degree Programs