Ms FCS:: School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Students may develop an individualized graduate program with approved selection of courses in human development and family life, consumer studies, textiles and nutrition. Applicants who have not completed a baccalaureate family and consumer sciences program will be expected to satisfy undergraduate deficiency course requirements in addition to their graduate course requirements. Potential undergraduate deficiency courses are FCS 1800 Life Span Human Development, FCS 2100 Nutrition in a Global Society and FCS 3300 Consumer Education or their approved equivalencies. The graduate coordinator will identify any undergraduate deficits at the time the admission decision is made.

If you are interested in the Dietetics Internship (DI) please visit the web site: http://www.eiu.edu/~dietetic/.
For information about family and consumer sciences teacher certification visit the web site: http://www.eiu.edu/~tech/DegCTE.php.

*FCS Core Courses (9 semester hours)
FCS 5460 Issues and Trends (3); and
FCS 5900 Research Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences (3); and
FCS 5450 Administration and Supervision in Family and Consumer Sciences (3), or
FCS 5470 Evaluation in Family and Consumer Sciences (3)
*Electives approved by student's graduate committee (21-23)

Effective for program admissions for Fall 2008: Students are required to choose one or more of the following options to include in their program for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 semester hours: internship (FCS 5980), thesis (FCS 5950) or complete an approved independent study (FCS 5990). Either the comprehensive exam or thesis is required as the Certificate of Comprehensive Knowledge. Programs of study are completed in consultation with a graduate advisor and program committee and require a presentation component as determined by the program committee in graduate internship, independent study or thesis.

Suggested Electives (courses listed are in Family and Consumer Sciences; see listed above courses also)
4752 Focus on Diabetes (1)
4753 Nutrition and the Addicted Person (1)
4755 Nutrition for Physical Performance (3)
4770 Consumer Decisions in the Marketplace (3)
4820 Death and Dying (3)
4840 The Disadvantaged Family (3)
4845 The Family in Crisis (3)
4846 Aging in the Family (3)
4851 Infant Development (3)
4854 Parent-Child Study and Community Involvement (3)
4859 Administration of Child Care Programs (3)
4860 Addictions and the Family (3)
4926 Public Presentation Techniques (3)
5045 Textile Simulations (3)
5151 Nutrition for Older People (1)
5153 Nutrition in the Life Cycle (3)
5155 Teaching and Marketing Nutrition (3)
5230 Special Topics in Family and Consumer Sciences (1-3)
5235 International Special Topics in Family and Consumer Sciences (1-3)
5238 Seminar in Family and Consumer Sciences (3)
5300 Critical Issues in Consumer Affairs (3)
5301 Consumer and Management Problems of Older People (3)
5302 Family Budgeting and Debt Management (3)
5750 Special Problems in Gerontology (1)
5846 Administration of Human Services Programs (3)
5850 Readings in Human Development and Family Life (3)
5852 Adolescence and the Family (3)
5854 Family and Professional Group Processes (3)
5950 Thesis (3-6)
5980 Internship (3-6)
5990 Independent Study (1-6)

Traditional and non-traditional student schedules are accommodated through a variety of formats. Scheduling of classes includes many evening, intensive summer, weekend, off-campus and Internet-delivered courses. http://www.eiu.edu/~adulted/schedule/

Graduate assistantships are offered each year in teaching; textiles, foods and child development laboratories; Nutrition Education Resource and Referral; student organization management; Child Care Resource and Referral; and general support for the School of Family and Consumer Sciences. The weekly work obligation is 18-19 hours. Applications for graduate assistantships are due to the graduate coordinator by February 15 or the following business day. Informational packet for completing the graduate assistantship application process is linked below. Materials are sent to

How do I apply to Graduate School? For admission applications, contact the Graduate School, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL 61920; (217) 581-2220; Room 1113 Blair Hall on the EIU campus; or http://www.eiu.edu/~graduate/

Is a thesis required? No, but encouraged if it matches your professional goals.

How long will it take to complete the degree requirements? The timing depends on the student's flexibility and availability. Program planning is in consultation with and approval of the assigned academic advisor and committee. The program may potentially be completed in one calendar year consisting of fall, spring and summer.

Where are M.S. in FCS graduates employed? Our graduates are employed in not-for-profit and private organizations, government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions in direct services, education, research, and administration. http://www.eiu.edu/~famsci/advisement/fcscareers.html

Are there networking opportunities? Student organizations include Kappa Omicron Nu, which has won several awards and SAFCS (Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences), which is the largest student section in the nation. There are opportunities to attend professional conferences such as IAFCS (Illinois Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) http://www.cast.ilstu.edu/iafcs ICFR (Illinois Council on Family Relations at National Council on Family Relations) http://www.ncfr.org/member/asso_council.asp and WIM. The WIM conference with participation from FCS university programs from seven Midwestern states is held in Chicago each February and provides leadership opportunities, professional tours, information about internship sites, networking and job opportunities. Graduate students have been recruited in the past to make presentations and judge entries at the Illinois Association of FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) http://www.fcclainc.org Region 6 Leadership Conferences.

How can I obtain secondary teacher certification for family and consumer sciences? If you have completed a bachelor's degree contact the College of Education and Professional Studies at (217) 581-2524 to arrange a transcript evaluation for Illinois state teacher certification requirements.

Are FCS graduate courses appropriate for my teacher re-certification plan? Yes, if the selected courses fit into the content area identified by the certifying body. Verify specific FCS courses with your credentialing entity.

Are scholarships available? All FCS scholarships are available to currently enrolled FCS majors and are listed at the following web site: http://www.eiu.edu/~famsci/advisement/fcsscholarships.php Information and application forms for Graduate School and graduate assistantships are available on our web site at http://www.eiu.edu/~msfcs/

Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, a community of 20,000 in east central Illinois, 185 miles south of Chicago and 130 miles east of St. Louis.

Eastern is a residential university of largely full-time students.

Approximately 10,000 students from nearly all Illinois counties, most of the continental states, and about 25 foreign countries enjoy an attractive, compact 320-acre campus with a full range of extracurricular activities.

The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs and develops broadly educated, responsible, productive citizens prepared to serve and lead in a free society.

Faculty and staff consider students their prime responsibility and treat them as individuals in a caring environment.

Graduate Coordinator
School of Family and Consumer Sciences
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920-3099
Phone: 217-581-6076
Fax: 217-581-6090
E-mail: msfcs@eiu.edu

Teacher Certification with an emphasis in Family and Consumer Sciences is provided through the School of Technology, Career and Technical Education. http://www.eiu.edu/~tech/DegCTE.php

In accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, no individual shall be discriminated against on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of the University. Further, no qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University or be subjected to discrimination by the University.