Family and Consumer Sciences

[1] Objectives

The graduate program in family and consumer sciences leads to the Master of Science degree. The program is designed to serve the needs of qualified students preparing for family and consumer sciences careers in business, education, hospitals, industry, government, or community agencies, or for entering a doctoral program in family and consumer sciences or in a related discipline. A post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship is also offered.

[2] Dietetic Internship

The Dietetic Internship is a supervised dietetic practice and study program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

The dietetic internship meets performance requirements for eligibility to write the Commission on Dietetics Registration exam to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The dietetic internship is to be completed in 15 months. The first year includes instruction in community nutrition and food-service management. Instruction and practicum experiences during the second year include clinical nutrition and clinical management. Practice sites include various health care facilities in the central Arkansas area.

[2.1] Dietetic Internship Entrance Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree.
• Verification statement of completion of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD).
• Official transcript(s) of course work from all colleges and universities attended.
• Minimum of 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale).
• Recommended GRE score of 300 (150 verbal, 150 quantitative) with 3.0 on writing.
• Work experience in nutrition-related area.
• Completed dietetic internship application. See https://uca.edu/facs/programs/dietetic-internship/.

[3] Master of Science Degree

[3.1] Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the MS degree program in family and consumer sciences requires a baccalaureate degree in Family and Consumer Sciences or an allied area. In addition to entrance requirements for the graduate school, satisfactory scores on the General Section of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) must be submitted.

[3.2] Degree Requirements

The degree plan offers thesis and non-thesis options; the requirements for these options differ. All students will take comprehensive examinations and complete a graduate portfolio as described in the departmental manual for graduate students. For the MS degree, the student must fulfill one of the following options:

[3.2.1] Thesis Option (30 hours)

Core requirements (9 hours):

Thesis research (6 hours):

Specialization track (12 hours): student will select one of the specialization tracks listed below.

Elective (3 hours): elective in an allied area approved by major advisor.

[3.2.2] Non-Thesis Option (36 hours)

Core requirements (9 hours): same as for thesis option.

Specialization track (15-18 hours): student will select one of the specialization tracks listed below.

Elective (9–12 hours): electives in an allied area approved by major advisor.

[3.2.3] Specialization Tracks

Clothing, Textiles, and Fashion (12 hours with thesis, 15-18 hours without thesis):

Nutrition and Foods (12 hours with thesis, 15-18 hours without thesis):

General Family and Consumer Sciences (12 hours with thesis, 15-18 hours without thesis): All FACS courses listed in the specialized tracks may be used for the general degree. In addition to the courses listed in the two specialized areas, the following courses may be used as electives in the general track:

[3.3] Additional Requirements

[3.3.1] MS Thesis Option

After the thesis has been read and approved and before the candidate is recommended to the Dean of the Graduate School for graduation, the candidate will meet with his/her thesis committee for an oral examination, which will consist principally of a defense of the thesis. A majority of the student’s committee must approve the thesis and its defense. If approval is denied, the candidate will not be recommended for graduation. In this event, the student may be re-examined at a later period, no sooner than two months after initial examination. Students will also be required to successfully complete a graduate portfolio as described in the departmental manual for graduate students.

[3.3.2] MS Non-Thesis Option

The student will be required to complete a graduate portfolio and pass a written comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam will be given with the permission of the graduate coordinator or department chair after the student has completed the required courses. The student will advise the graduate coordinator of intent to take the examination by submitting a Comprehensive Examination Request form (see departmental manual for graduate students) to the department chair early in the semester of the requested examination date.

[4] Graduate Course Links

Follow this link to FACS course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to NUTR course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to ASTL course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to H SC course descriptions: course link.