Mar 29, 2024  
Graduate Catalog 2012-13 
    
Graduate Catalog 2012-13 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences


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Advisor: Linda Dannison,
Room 3326, Kohrman Hall

The graduate program in Family and Consumer Sciences is designed to provide a comprehensive program of study in Family and Consumer Sciences or an in depth program of studies for the person desiring to strengthen specialized interest areas in dietetics and human nutrition, family life education, or textile and apparel technology.

The Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences is designed for the person with a Bachelor of Science or Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences or a home economics-related program of study.

Because of the diversity of the field and unique needs of those desiring graduate training, an individualized program plan is designed for each student within the parameters of the program requirements.

The degree may be used as a foundation for continued graduate work leading to a doctoral degree at another institution.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the master’s program in Family and Consumer Sciences, students must satisfy all the requirements identified in the Graduate Catalog as well as specific departmental requirements.  No one requirement is sufficient to guarantee admission or dictate denial of admission.

  1. Possess a Bachelor of Science from an approved accredited school and a major closely related to the selected concentration.
  2. Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last two years of undergraduate work.  Non-degree, probationary status may be granted to students with a gpa between 2.5 and 2.99 in the last two years of undergraduate work.  Students with that gpa range may establish eligibility for regular admission to WMU by completing nine credit hours of approved graduate-level courses toward their M.A. with a grade of “B” or better in each course.
  3. Include a resume indicating previous education experiences and listing positions held over the past 10 years.  Indicate the exact title of each position, the agency, school, or firm where employed, and the duration of each employment.  Also note particular awards or accomplishments.
  4. Submit a two-page, wordprocessed essay that provides the following information:
    1. Describe experience(s) that influenced your career choice and your desire to return to graduate school.
    2. Explain how having a Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences degree will advance your career.

Program Requirements


  1. All master’s programs include a minimum of 30 semester hours, 15 of which must be in courses at the 6000-level or higher, and at least two hours of FCS 7100, Independent Research.
  2. A total of 20 hours in Family and Consumer Sciences must be completed in graduate level courses, planned in consultation with departmental advisor.

Assistantships may be available to those wishing to pursue full-time graduate study.

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