2024-2025 Graduate Catalog Family and Consumer Sciences

Each sequence has a thesis and non-thesis option. For students choosing the non-thesis option, a scholarly project will be required that will be determined by the graduate coordinator in conjunction with the graduate faculty. Required core courses include: FCS 445, and FCS 497. All master’s degree programs require a minimum of 50 percent of the non-thesis credit hours applied to the degree to be 400-level courses or above.

A career option leading to general administrative endorsement with emphasis in vocational education is offered in cooperation with the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations through Agriculture, Business Education and Administrative Services, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Technology departments. Students interested in the vocational emphasis should (a) see the Department chairperson and (b) submit an Intent to File for Licensure form in the Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification Processes. All students who plan to receive certification for the State of Illinois via an approved Illinois State program must file official forms and follow specific procedures. Licensure is not given automatically at the completion of specific coursework or degree program.

Family and Consumer Sciences Sequence

Accelerated Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences: High achieving students who graduated with a degree in ISU’s Accelerated FCS undergraduate program are allowed to apply up to 12 hours of approved graduate courses to both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

This sequence has a thesis and non-thesis option.

Option 1—Thesis

• 9 hour core: FCS 401, FCS 445, and FCS 497
• 4 hours: FCS 499
• 17 hours of electives with at least 10 hours in Family and Consumer Sciences

Option 2—Non-Thesis

• 9 hour core: FCS 401, FCS 445, and FCS 497
• 3 hours of FCS 400 or FCS 498
• 18 hours of electives, at least 10 hours in Family and Consumer Sciences

Fashion Design and Merchandising Sequence

The Fashion Design and Merchandising sequence provides advanced study in the global apparel and textile industry.

This 30-hour sequence requires:

• 6 hours from required courses: FCS 445 and FCS 497
• 12 hours from FCS electives: FCS 421, FCS 423, FCS 425, FCS 465, FCS 466, FCS 469, FCS 471, FCS 477, FCS 427, FCS 428, FCS 429, FCS 461, FCS 462, FCS 467, FCS 468, FCS 472.01, FCS 479
• 6 hours from additional electives
• Plus Option 1 or 2

Option 1- Thesis

• 6 hours Master’s Thesis FCS 499

Option 2- Non-thesis

• 3 hour independent study FCS 400 or FCS 498
• 3 hours of electives

Human Development and Family Science Sequence

The Human Development and Family Science sequence provides advanced study in human development across the life span and family systems.

This 30-hour sequence requires:

• 9 hours of core coursework: FCS 401, FCS 445, and FCS 497
• 6 hours of electives
• Plus Option 1 or 2

Option 1 – Thesis

• 9 hours of coursework from the following: FCS 400, FCS 405, FCS 407, FCS 408, FCS 410, FCS 414, FCS 433, FCS 435, FCS 436, FCS 463, FCS 464, FCS 490, FCS 491, FCS 492, FCS 495, FCS 496, KNR 394/FCS 394
• 6 hours: FCS 499

Option 2 – Non-Thesis

• 12 hours of coursework from the following: FCS 400, FCS 405, FCS 407, FCS 408, FCS 410, FCS 414, FCS 433, FCS 435, FCS 436, FCS 463, FCS 464, FCS 490, FCS 491, FCS 492, FCS 495, FCS 496, KNR 394/FCS 394
• 3 hours of FCS 400 or FCS 498

Child Life Sequence

The Family and Consumer Sciences graduate program is registered with the Association for Child Life Professionals. The program prepares students to enter the child life profession by providing ample opportunities to increase their capacity for inquiry, logical thinking, critical analysis, and synthesis.

This 30-hour sequence requires:

• 6 hours of core coursework: FCS 445 and FCS 497
• 18 hours of Child Life content coursework: FCS 403, FCS 404, FCS 406, FCS 436, FCS 463, FCS 492
• Plus Option 1 or 2

Option 1 – Thesis

• 6 hours: FCS 499

Option 2 – Non-Thesis

• 3 hours of electives
• 3 hours: FCS 400 Independent Study: Capstone Project in Child Life

Interior Design Sequence

Interior Design prepares students to design innovative, functional, supportive, and responsible interior environments.

This 30-hour sequence requires:

• 9 hours from required core courses: FCS 445, FCS 487 and FCS 497
• Plus Option 1 or 2

Option 1- Thesis

• 4-6 hours Master’s Thesis FCS 499
• 15-17 hours of electives: FCS 400, FCS 424, FCS 438, FCS 440, FCS 441, FCS 443, FCS 446, FCS 447, FCS 448, FCS 470 , FCS 475 , FCS 476 , FCS 498

Option 2- Non-thesis

• 3 hours of FCS 400, FCS 424 or FCS 498
• 18 hours of electives: FCS 400, FCS 424, FCS 438, FCS 440, FCS 441, FCS 443, FCS 446, FCS 447, FCS 448, FCS 470, FCS 475, FCS 476, FCS 498

Each sequence within the Master of Science in Nutrition has a thesis and a non-thesis option. For students choosing the non-thesis option, a scholarly project will be required that will be determined by the graduate coordinator in conjunction with the graduate faculty. Required courses include FCS 445 and FCS 497.

All master's degree programs require a minimum of 50 percent of the non-thesis credit hours applied to the degree to be 400-level courses or above.

Nutrition Sequence

This 30-hr. sequence requires:

• 6 hrs. of required courses FCS 445 and FCS 497
• 9 hrs. from nutrition electives:  FCS 411, FCS 413, FCS 414, FCS 415, FCS 416, FCS 417, FCS 418, FCS 419, FCS 420, FCS 437, FCS 474, FCS 478, FCS 480

Plus Option 1 or 2

Option 1—Thesis

• 4-6 hours Masters Thesis FCS 499
• 9-11 hours from additional electives

Option 2—Non-Thesis

• 1 hour independent study (FCS 400, FCS 424 or FCS 498)
• 14 hours of electives

Dietetic Internship Sequence

Illinois State University offers an accredited Dietetic Internship program (16-months). Upon successful completion of the supervised practice experience, students earn the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Verification Statement necessary for applying to take the national registration examination.

This 30-hour sequence requires:

• 6 hrs. from required courses FCS 445 and FCS 497
• 13 hrs.: FCS 417, FCS 420, FCS 481, FCS 482
• 6 hrs. of internship rotations: FCS 498
• 1 hr. of electives
• Plus, Option 1 or 2

Option 1—Thesis

• 4 hours Masters Thesis FCS 499

Option 2—Non-Thesis

• 1 hour independent study (FCS 400 or FCS 424 or FCS 498)
• 3 hours of electives

(Non-degree seeking, supervised practice only)

The Dietetic Internship offers a 12-credit hour Certificate Program. Upon successful completion of the supervised practice experience, students earn the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics Verification Statement necessary for applying to take the national registration examination.

Certificate Requirements

- 12 hours: FCS 481 Seminar in Dietetics 1 (3 credits), FCS 482 Seminar in Dietetics 2 (3 credits), and FCS 498 (3 credits; repeated for a total of 6).