FCS Graduate Programs

Housed in Schrank Hall South, our facilities consist of modern, multipurpose seminar and lecture rooms, laboratories, enhanced technology classrooms, a computer laboratory, and the Center for Child Development, all of which are open to graduate students for study and research.

Requirements for Admission

Students seeking entrance to our graduate programs must meet the following admission requirements for acceptance into the program:

• Minimum GPA of 2.75 for four years of undergraduate study or 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate study;
• Completion of the Graduate Records Exam (GRE) within the five years preceding application;
• Submission of a letter of personal career goals, sent to the Director of Graduate Studies for the School of Family and Consumer Sciences 
• Three letters of recommendation must be submitted.

The Graduate Faculty of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences may require an interview with any applicant.

Requirements for Completion of Program

Students who are accepted into the graduate program are expected to comply with the following requirements:

Complete the course of study in one of the four options, with a minimum of 40 credits. These credits include:

• Foundation courses to prepare for research in family and consumer sciences in the area of specialty;
• Core courses in the area of specialty;
• Option electives and cognate electives, selected in consultation with academic advisor. These are chosen to strengthen the student's professional goals;
• Pass a written comprehensive examination over major and minor areas after the completion of at least 24 credits of graduate coursework;
• Complete a master's thesis or a master's project;
• Apply for advancement to candidacy upon successful completion of 24 credits of graduate coursework, passing the written comprehensive examination, and an approved prospectus or proposal for a thesis or project;
• Pass an oral examination covering the thesis or project.

Graduate Assistantships

The School awards a limited number of graduate assistantships each year. Selected applicants are afforded a unique educational and employment experience. The graduate assistantship provides the student with:

• A bi-monthly stipend paid for the academic year. In most cases this stipend is renewed for a second year;
• Fee remission for 9-15 credits of graduate coursework each semester;
• Fee remission for 9 credits of graduate coursework in the summer.

The application deadline for graduate assistantships is March 1 for assistantships that begin the following fall semester and October 1 for assistantships that begin in the following spring semester. For more information about assistantships and the graduate program, contact the Graduate Director for the School, Dr. Pamela Schulze by phone at 330-972-7725 or by email at schulze@uakron.edu.

For other scholarship, loan, or grant funding available, please contact the Financial Aid office at the University.

To apply to Graduate School, use the "Apply online" button on the Graduate School's webpage.