Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences

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Chair: Thomas Pavkov

Graduate Faculty

Sheila Barrett, assistant professor, Ph.D., Florida International University
Susan P. Bowers, associate professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Sarah L. Cosbey, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Barb Cuppett, supportive professional staff, M.A., St. Mary’s College of Minnesota
Linda E Derscheid, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Iowa
Shi-Ruei Sherry Fang, professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Beverly Henry, associate professor, Ph.D., Loyola University
Hyun-Mee Joung, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Lan Li, professor, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Judith Lukaszuk, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
J. Elizabeth Miller, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Bette Montgomery, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Eunha Myung, assistant professor, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Jane Rose Njue, assistant professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Amy Ozier, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Alabama
Thomas Pavkov, professor, Ph.D., Northwestern University
Nancy Prange, supportive professional staff, M.S., Northern Illinois University
Julie Ramisch, assistant professor, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Lin Shi, associate professor, Ph.D., Texas Tech University
Florensia Flora Surjadi, assistant professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Josephine Umoren, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Nebraska
Charline Xie, professor, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln

The School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences offers three graduate programs leading to the M.S. degree: the M.S. in applied family and child studies (with the option of a specialization in marriage and family therapy), the M.S. in family and consumer sciences (with specializations in apparel studies and in family and consumer sciences education), and the M.S. in nutrition and dietetics. The school prepares professionals who support families and individuals in meeting their basic human needs. The programs are based on an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Students learn theories and their application to professions in nonprofit organizations, private practice, government, education, and business. Graduates have the necessary foundation for a career as well as further study.

A student pursuing an advanced degree in the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences is expected to meet the requirements of a major area. Deficiencies in the major area at the undergraduate level will be determined by a committee of graduate faculty and must be removed as directed by the committee. Transcripts of all post-secondary course work should accompany the Graduate School application.

Students-at-large intending to take courses required by the programs in applied family and child studies or in nutrition and dietetics should meet with the appropriate program coordinator.

Admission requirements and information regarding notification of a decision on admission are indicated below for each area of study. Prior to initial registration, each student planning a major in family, consumer, and nutrition sciences should confer with the graduate adviser.

Comprehensive Examination

Students choosing a non-thesis option will fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement by successfully completing a proctored essay examination or an oral examination, depending upon the academic program. Students either choosing the thesis option or who are in a program with a required thesis fulfill the comprehensive examination requirement through the successful oral thesis defense and acceptance of the thesis by the Graduate School. Students must be enrolled in the term in which the comprehensive examination is taken.

Master of Science 
Applied Family and Child Studies
    Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy 
Family and Consumer Sciences
    Specialization in Apparel Studies
    Specialization in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Nutrition and Dietetics
    Dietetic Internship

Certificate of Graduate Study
Eating Disorders and Obesity

Teacher Certification in Family and Consumer Sciences

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