School of Human and Consumer Sciences

Graduate Child and Family Studies Courses
Graduate Food and Nutrition Courses
Graduate Human and Consumer Sciences General Education Courses
Graduate Interior Design Courses
Graduate Retail Management Courses

The School of Human and Consumer Sciences offers master's programs with concentrations in early childhood education, family studies, community and international nutrition, and nutrition science. Graduate courses in retail merchandising and interior design are also available.

To be awarded the Master of Science in Human and Consumer Sciences (M.S.H.C.S.) degree, you must earn a minimum of 45 quarter hours in programs with a thesis requirement or 50 quarter hours in programs with a seminar paper requirement. You are required to have an approved program of study in your file by the end of the first quarter of enrollment. Your graduate program is planned by you and your advisor, taking into consideration your undergraduate preparation and professional goals.

The maximum time allowed between the date that you first initiate graduate study toward the M.S.H.E.C. and the date that you complete the requirements for the degree is six calendar years. You may transfer a maximum of 12 quarter hours of graduate credit from an accredited university, providing the credit to be transferred has been designated graduate credit at the institution where taken, is letter graded B or better, was earned in the past five years, and is approved by the graduate coordinator. Credit for courses taken by correspondence cannot be accepted toward the required minimum hours.

Eligibility to Apply

You must meet the following requirements to be considered for unconditional admission to the graduate program in the School of Human and Consumer Sciences:

1. Earned bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences or an area related to your selected area of study from an accredited college or university
2. Minimum overall undergraduate grade-point average (g.p.a.) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale on last 90 quarter hours or last 60 semester hours
3. Satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
4. A minimum of 20 quarter hours or 13 semester hours of undergraduate preparation in the specific major in which you wish to study.

If you do not meet the above standards, you may be admitted on a conditional basis and informed of the conditions you must meet before being accepted unconditionally. These courses may or may not apply toward your degree. If you are admitted on a conditional basis, you are not eligible for financial assistance.

Application

The following materials must be received before your application can be considered for admission:

1. Application found in back of this catalog (in duplicate).
2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
3. Official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. (You do not need to submit transcripts of coursework completed at Ohio University.)
4. A letter of intent that states professional goals and reasons for applying for graduate study in your specific program.
5. A resume of your professional work experience.
6. Three letters of recommendation, using the forms found in the back of this catalog, from people who are qualified to evaluate your capability for graduate study.

Submit your completed application, GRE scores, transcripts, and application fee to the Office of Graduate Student Services, Ohio University, Wilson Hall, Athens OH 45701-2979.

The letter of intent, resume and letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the graduate coordinator, School of Human and Consumer Sciences, Ohio University, 108 Tupper Hall, Athens OH 45701-2979.

While applications for admission are accepted during all quarters, it is recommended that applications for both admission and financial aid for the following year be received by April 1. International students must also present TOEFL scores. Financial assistance, such as associateships are available.

Early Childhood Education and Family Studies

The early childhood education program provides an opportunity for professionals to continue their education with a focus on young children (from birth to eight years). The program also prepares you to work with children and their families in a variety of settings, including public schools, child care, agencies, and crisis management. The program of study is developed with your advisor based upon your goals. You may select either the thesis or seminar paper option.

If you are currently certified in special education, elementary education or family and consumer sciences (home economics) education, you may be able to earn an early childhood validation for your teaching credentials through the early childhood education program. The majority of the coursework for validation will be at the graduate level and be part of the requirements for the M.S.H.C.S. Limited coursework at the undergraduate level may be required in some cases. All requirements for early childhood validation must be completed on or before June 15, 2002. The last date that the Ohio Department of Education will grant this validation will be September 2, 2002.

The family studies program prepares individuals who are interested in working with families in many settings, including social service agencies and programs for the elderly. You are encouraged to develop a program of study that blends your academic background and work experience to meet your career goals. You may select either the thesis or seminar paper option.

Program Requirements

Requirements for early childhood education or family studies with the thesis option are:

1. Minimum of 45 hours
2. 22 hours in major area
3. 12 hours in approved minor
4. Required courses:
   
   • HCCF 664 Advanced Child Development (5)
     
   • HCCF 674 Advanced Family Development (5)
     
   • HCGE 692 Research
     
   • HCGE 695 Thesis
     

   Approved statistics course

5. Thesis: You are encouraged to select a topic in an area of interest to your advisor.

Requirements for early childhood education or family studies with the seminar paper option are:

1. Minimum of 50 hours
2. 28 hours in major area
3. 12 hours in approved minor
4. Required courses:
   
   • HCCF 664 Advanced Child Development (5)
     
   • HCCF 674 Advanced Family Development (5)
     
   • HCGE 692 Research
     

   Approved statistics course

5. Seminar paper: You are encouraged to select a topic in an area of interest to your advisor.

Food and Nutrition

The study of human nutrition continues to evolve as a personal, national, and global interest. Two graduate programs are offered. The master's program in international and community nutrition prepares you to work in community-based programs dealing with hunger and malnutrition in the United States and abroad. The master's program in nutrition science allows you to study the more applied aspects of nutrition and science.

Program Requirements

Requirements for international and community nutrition are:

1. Minimum of 50 hours
2. Required courses:
   
   • HCFN 526 World View of Nutrition (3)
     
   • HCFN 528 Advanced Nutrition (4)
     
   • HCFN 529 Community Nutrition (3)
     
   • HCFN 533 Food Sanitation and Safety (2)
     
   • HCFN 537 Food Service Purchasing (4)
     
   • HCFN 610 Maternal and Child Nutrition (4)
     
   • HCFN 631 Studies in the Science of Nutrition
     
   • HCGE 591B Seminar in Food and Nutrition
     
   • HCGE 692 Research
     
   • PSY 520 Elementary Statistics (5)
3. 12 hours in approved minor
4. Seminar paper

Requirements for nutrition science are:

1. Minimum of 45 hours
2. Required courses:
   • BIOS 542 Principles of Physiology I (3)
     
   • BIOS 543 Principles of Physiology II (3)
     
   • BIOS 682 Advanced Topics
     
   • CHEM 589 Basic Biochemistry (5)
     
   • HCFN 528 Advanced Nutrition (4)
     
   • HCFN 530 Therapeutic Nutrition (4)
     
   • HCFN 533 Food Sanitation and Safety (2)
     
   • HCFN 660 Nutrition for Sports & Fitness (4)
     
   • HCGE 591B Seminar in Food and Nutrition
     
   • HCGE 695 Thesis
     
   • PSY 520 Elementary Statistics (5)
3. Approved electives
4. Thesis

University Publications and Computer Services revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/99-01/areas/huco.htm ) December 11, 2000.

Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.ohiou.edu ."