Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies 
      Admission Requirements
      Degree Requirements
      Credit Limitation
Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
      Admission Requirements
      Degree Requirements
      Credit Limitation
HEV Course Descriptions

Link to Department of Human Environmental Studies web site

Usha Chowdhary, Chairperson
205 Wightman Hall, (989) 774-3218

Jeff Angera, Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies
Phame M. Camarena, Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies
Ivy Goduka, Ph.D., Child Development
Helen Hagens, Ph.D., Child Development
Phyllis Heath, Ph.D., Child Development
Roschelle Heuberger, Ph.D., R.D., Human Nutrition
Leslie Hildebrandt, Ph.D., R.D., Human Nutrition
Kathryn Koch, Ph.D., Computer Aided Design
Robert Lee, Dr.P.H., R.D., Human Nutrition
Jack Logomarsino, Ph.D., R.D., Human Nutrition
Wesley Luckhardt, M.S., M.B.A., R.D., Foodservice Administration
Maureen MacGillivray, Ph.D., Functional Apparel
Design & Textiles
Eileen MaloneBeach, Ph.D., Human Development and Family Studies
Lorrie Ryan, Ph.D., Family Studies
Tara Saathoff-Wells, Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Studies
Pamela Sarigiani, Ph.D., Human Development and
Family Studies
Jerry S. Strouse, Ph.D., Family Life, Human Sexuality
Janis M. Voege, Ph.D., Family Ecology

Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies
This program is designed to provide new and experienced professionals with a greater understanding of human development and family studies. The major objective of the program is to expand students' knowledge of the processes of individual and family development, improve techniques and strategies for enhancing family functioning, and thereby improve the quality of life for humans at all stages of the life cycle.

Basic to the philosophy of this program is the assumption that individual development is best understood within the context of the family and its surrounding environments. The interface between the family and other contexts presents many challenges to family members. One example of a current challenge is the stress associated with political exigencies of welfare reform. Some families need assistance in order to effectively cope with this challenge and to provide healthy environments for their children.
The course work in this program provides learning experiences that are both theoretical and applied. This program uses a culturally sensitive approach to individual and family development that is integrated into a systemic, family-focused approach to examining common life management issues.

Graduates of this program will have an educational background to work in human service areas that provide support and intervention for families that are struggling to cope with life's challenges. Some ways in which they may assist families are: selecting and managing child and elder care services, parenting education, promoting parental involvement in children's education, dealing with at-risk or conduct-disordered youth, decision-making concerning elderly family members, promoting conflict resolution, and providing family support and guidance in achieving greater economic self-sufficiency.

The faculty in this program are committed to facilitating access to higher education. For example, courses will be provided in the evenings and on Saturdays in order to accommodate those who have week-day work and family obligations. Some course information and materials will be offered on the internet.

Admission Requirements
Students seeking admission to the master program in Human Development and Family Studies must present the following:

1) Fifteen (15) credit hours in Human Development and Family Studies or in a related area of competency.

2) An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester hours of course work.

3) A 4-6 pages, double-spaced essay which (Part I) includes a discussion of the applicant's goals and how completion of the program of interest will facilitate achievement of those goals. A portion of this essay should focus upon the applicant's qualifications in the area of specialization. This essay replaces the written statement requested as part of the application to the College of Graduate Studies which (Part II) outlines and describes what the applicant considers to be the most significant human service issues of today.

4) Three (3) letters of recommendation.

5) Evidence of successful completion (a grade of C or better) of an undergraduate statistics or research methods course is strongly recommended.

6) General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional. Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement for admission may substitute GRE test results. The GRE scores will be used as a supplementary screening device to determine potential for graduate school success.

Per university policy, conditional admission may be considered for applicants with background or grade point deficiencies. Courses taken to make up admission deficiencies cannot be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Regular admission status should be requested upon completion of all deficiencies.

Degree Requirements
I. Required Courses (21 credit hours)
HEV 600 (3) Human Development and Family Studies Foundations
HEV 603 (3) Human Diversity Within and Between Families
HEV 609 (3) Human Growth and Development: Current Issues
HEV 615 (3) Theoretical Approaches to Family Processes
HEV 786 (3) Occupational Field Experience
One graduate course (3 credits) in Research Methods
One graduate course (3 credits) in Statistics

II. Electives (9 credit hours)
Electives to be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

III. Plan A: Thesis
HEV 798 (6), and an oral examination on materials on the thesis topic.

Plan B: Non-Thesis
Electives (6 credit hours) to be selected in consultation with advisor. A written and an oral examination on material in the field of specialization, and two major papers acceptable to the student's Graduate Program Committee.

Credit Limitation: Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitation under the policy covering unspecified content of variable credit are the following: HEV 509, 597, 697, 790, 797.

Total: 36 credit hours

*This program does not meet requirements for licensing counselors or psychologists.
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Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics
The MS in Nutrition and Dietetics is designed to provide advanced training in human nutritional sciences for new and experienced professionals. Its objectives are to enhance the graduate's knowledge base and expertise in the continually advancing field of clinical dietetics and to provide graduates with the quantitative and methodological knowledge necessary to better interpret the scientific literature to conduct their own nutritional research.
The M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics Program offers the seven core courses only through distance and distributed learning. This approach employs both Web-based technology and video taped lectures to provide course content. The remaining course work may be completed at a distance.

Admission Requirements
1. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last 60 semester hours of course work.

2. Successful completion of the requirements for dietetic registration by the American Dietetic Association or fulfillment of the minimum academic requirements of the Didactic Program in Dietetics approved by the American Dietetic Association's Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education or the equivalent.

3. An essay (2-3 pages, double-spaced) including a discussion of the applicant's goals and how completion of the program will facilitate his or her achievement of those goals. A portion of this essay should focus upon the unique qualifications the students will bring to the degree program. This essay replaces the written statement requested as part of the application to the College of Graduate Studies.

4. Three (3) letters of recommendation from former professors or professionals in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

5. Evidence of successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course is strongly recommended.

6. Per University policy, conditional admission may be considered for applicants with backgrounds or grade point average deficiencies. Courses taken to make up admission deficiencies may not be counted toward graduate degree requirements. Regular admission status should be requested upon completion of all deficiencies.

7. Up to 12 semester hours of graduate credit may be transferred in from another institution with approval of advisor.

Degree Requirements
This degree program requires 19 hours of core courses. Plan A (thesis option) requires an additional 6 hours of thesis and 6 hours of electives to be selected with the approval of the student's academic advisor. Plan B (non-thesis option) involves an additional 18 hours of required course work including 12 hours of dietetic internship providing clinical, food service administration, and community nutrition experiences, a 3 credit hour Plan B paper and/or project, and 3 hours of electives selected with the approval of the student's academic advisor.

Core Courses (19 hours)
HEV 661 (3) Macronutrients
HEV 662 (3) Micronutrients
HEV 670 (1) Seminar: Nutrition
HEV 672 (3) Advanced Clinical Nutrition
HEV 673 (3) Nutritional Assessment
HEV 576 (3) Research Methods in Nutrition
HEV 667 (3) Nutritional Epidemiology

Plan A--Thesis Option (12 hours)
HEV 798 (6) Thesis

Additional Program Requirements:
An oral examination on the thesis topic and 6 additional hours of electives selected with the approval of the student's academic advisor.

Plan A total: 31 credit hours

Plan B--Non-Thesis Option (18 hours)
HEV 674 (4) Dietetic Internship: Clinical Experience*
HEV 675 (4) Dietetic Internship: Food Service Administration Experience*
HEV 676 (4) Dietetic Internship: Summary Experience*
HEV 790 (3) Independent Study (Plan B paper and/or project)

Additional Program Requirements:
An oral examination over course work, completion of a Plan B paper and/or project acceptable to the student's Graduate Program Committee, and 3 additional hours of electives selected with the approval of the student's academic advisor.

* In some cases, twelve credits may be earned through examination to substitute for the dietetic internship experience. Students must be eligible and must pass the examination to earn the twelve credits. Contact the Department of Human Environmental Studies for the policy on Credit by Examination for Dietetic Internship Experience.

Plan B total: 37 credit hours
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Credit Limitation: Courses in the department that are subject to graduate credit limitations under the policy covering unspecified content or variable credit are the following: HEV 597. 670, 697, 790, and 797.
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