The College of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a 36 credit program designed to enhance the skills of those holding the bachelor's degree so that they may meet the requirements of their present jobs or progress in their careers. The program is considered to be a professional master's degree and not preparation for further graduate study. Graduates understand, interpret and evaluate the research literature in family and consumer sciences. They communicate and conceptualize family and consumer sciences content from an integrative and holistic perspective. Graduates apply theory and research to practice in serving individuals, families, and communities through professional family and consumer sciences roles.
Students elect either a comprehensive option or a specialization option.
The comprehensive option can be followed on or off-campus and requires 36 credits covering a variety of family and consumer sciences subject matter. A written and oral final integrative exam are required in lieu of a thesis or creative component, although a thesis or creative component could be included on mutual agreement of the student and major professor, with approval of the Graduate College. The program of study committee, in consultation with the student, determines the courses to be taken and the acceptability of transfer credits. The major professor will be selected from the discipline where the concentration of coursework will be taken. Admission requirements for the specialization option vary by department.