12.1.1 AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Masters of Science
Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design
The specialization in clothing, textiles, and interior design provides preparation for careers in higher education, business and industry, and government services, and for admission to doctoral programs in clothing, textiles, and interior design and related fields. The specialization is designed to stimulate independent thought and develop skills in problem solving, creativity, and research methods. Individualized programs of study are planned to develop professional competence in the student's area of interest. Students applying for admission to the specialization in clothing, textiles, and interior design refer to the requirements for admission detailed in an earlier section of this catalog. All applicants must submit test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test in support of the application. All applicants in interior design must also submit portfolios for review. A grade of B or higher must be earned in all courses taken in the Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design for application toward degree requirements.
The consumer sciences specialization offers preparation for careers in government, consumer protection, financial services, and extension, and for further study leading to the doctoral degree. Each student's curriculum is determined individually, based on career goals and research interests. Students applying for admission to the specialization in consumer sciences refer to the requirements for admission detailed in an earlier section of this catalog. Applicants who do not have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 or a GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework will be required to submit an acceptable test score on either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Millers Analogies Test (MAT).
Core courses required of all students include CSM500, CSM504, CSM510, CSM520, CSM554, CSM559, and CSM560. Nine hours of electives will be selected from the following courses: CSM525, CSM508, CSM575, CSM581, and CSM586. For those students planning to write a thesis, Thesis Research (CSM599) offers the opportunity to work with faculty. Current research topics in the field include family and personal expenditure patterns; effects of credit use; time use; and individual and family resource management. Students who wish to specialize in family financial planning and counseling should have completed the following courses or equivalents at the undergraduate level EC 110, EC 111, ST 260, and CSM 204.
The program in Consumer Sciences participates in the University Scholars Program. Qualified students begin graduate study in the senior year. This program leads to the completion of requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees. A student who wishes to exercise this option will normally apply to Phase I of the program in the sophomore year; however, students may apply directly to Phase II of the program at the end of the junior year. Procedures are detailed in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog.
General Studies in Human Environmental Sciences
The specialization in general human environmental sciences is designed to permit students to pursue work in more than one area of human environmental sciences and/or to strengthen professional competence by selecting courses that support or complement an area of human environmental sciences, including: restaurant, hotel, and meetings management, interactive technology, sports management, consumer quality management, rural community health, consumer conflict management, negotiation, and mediation; environmental health and safety management; and the certificate in family financial planning and counseling. Students interested in this specialization may complete in-depth studies in interactive technology, quality management, sport management, conflict management, environmental health and safety or restaurant and hospitality management. Students should refer to the respective website for each area of specialization for specific details. Students may work under Plan I or Plan II. Applicants must clearly state the area of specialization on the Graduate School Application.
Students applying for admission to the specialization in general studies refer to the requirements for admission detailed in an earlier section of this catalog. A student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework, or a GPA of 3.0 in a master's degree program is not required to submit standardized test scores. However, this does not guarantee admission.
Human Development and Family Studies
The specialization in human development and family studies provides students with the theoretical foundation and research skills necessary to pursue doctoral work and for advanced employment in a wide variety of occupations serving children, adults, and families. Students can choose to concentrate in human development, family studies, or marriage and family therapy. Completion of the marriage and family therapy curriculum enables students to take the licensure examination leading to Clinical Membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Research and clinical opportunities are provided in the College's child development laboratories. Research opportunities include working with faculty members in the following areas: language and cognitive development in young children; personality and social development of children and adolescents; parent-child relationships; risk factors associated with child development outcomes; assessment of early intervention programs; social support and well-being of adults; family strengths; and maternal depression and infant development.
Students applying for admission to the specialization in human development and family studies refer to the requirements for admission detailed in an earlier section of this catalog and should visit the Human Development and Family Studies website. All applicants must submit test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test in support of the application. To graduate from master's programs in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, students must maintain a "B" average in the courses related to the concentration.
The specialization in human nutrition prepares students to pursue doctoral study and to practice dietetics at an advanced level. The program develops research skills, stimulates independent thought, and provides detailed up-to-date knowledge of the subject matter. A student seeking eligibility to take the national examination to become a registered dietitian may apply for admission to the coordinated program in dietetics while completing the masters degree. Students specializing in human nutrition must complete NHM 560, NHM 561, NHM 562, and 9 hours of electives offered in the department. In addition, students must enroll in NHM 595 Seminar in Nutrition and Food a minimum of two semesters unless they receive an exemption from the department head. Students must earn a B or higher in each class taken within the nutrition department.
The thesis for the human nutrition specialization should focus on current nutritional concerns in which the student has a special interest. Students also have opportunities to participate in research with faculty members. Examples of faculty research include obesity and dieting practices, maternal and infant nutrition, healthy eating patterns, nutrition education and service delivery, and nutrient analysis of foods.
Students who choose the non-thesis option (Plan II) must complete one of the following culminating experiences: an advanced practicum, non-thesis research (NHM 598), or a comprehensive examination.
The program in human nutrition participates in the University Scholars Program. Qualified students begin graduate study in the senior year. This program leads to the completion of requirements for both the bachelor's and master's degrees. A student who wishes to exercise this option will normally apply to Phase I of the program in the sophomore year; however, students may apply directly to Phase II of the program at the end of the junior year. Procedures are detailed in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog. Students who apply to the University Scholar Program in Human Nutrition must have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Students applying for admission to the specialization in human nutrition refer to the requirements for admission detailed in an earlier section of this catalog. A student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0, a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of coursework, or a GPA of 3.0 in a master's degree program is not required to submit standardized test scores.
For additional degree requirements see the Graduate School's section on Degree Requirements earlier in this catalog.
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