Family and Consumer Sciences

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Chair: Thomas Pavkov

Graduate Faculty

Julie Boggess, instructor, MPA, Roosevelt University
Susan P. Bowers, associate professor, Ph.D., Ohio State University
Sarah L. Cosbey, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
DeAnna Harris-McKoy, associate professor, Ph.D., Florida State University
Hyun-Mee Joung, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Xiaohui (Sophie) Li, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Yujun Liu, assistant professor, Ph.D., Virginia Tech University
Bette Montgomery, associate professor, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Jane Rose Njue, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Thomas Pavkov, professor, Ph.D., Northwestern University
Dahlia Roman, instructor and associate director Child Protection Training Academy- Simulation and Learning Center, M.S.W., Aurora University
Lin Shi, professor, Ph.D., Texas Tech University
D. Scott Sibley, associate professor, Ph.D., Kansas State University
Florensia Flora Surjadi, associate professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Melissa Walter, assistant professor, Ph.D., Iowa State University
Charline Xie, professor, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln

The School of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a graduate program leading to the M.S. degree: the M.S. in applied human development and family sciences (with the option of specializations in marriage and family therapy or leadership in aging studies). 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 and Consumer 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 human development and family sciences 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 and consumer sciences should confer with the graduate adviser.

Policy on Dismissal 

Students must make satisfactory progress in college programs to be allowed to continue and can be dismissed from the program or a class for academic reasons, behavior not accepted in the profession, or actions that threaten the health and safety of others. It is the responsibility of students to secure a copy of the dismissal policy from the program. The Graduate Student Handbook contains additional policies related to dismissal from the program. 

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 Human Development and Family Sciences
    With or without a specialization in
         Leadership in Aging Services
         Marriage and Family Therapy

Certificates of Graduate Study
Family and Child Development
Gerontology
Leadership in Aging Studies

Post Master’s Certificate
Medical Family Therapy and Counseling

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