FAQs about the FCCS graduate programs
1. How do I apply to the graduate programs?
2. What are the requirements for admission to the graduate programs?
3. Are students admitted year round? What are the application deadlines?
4. What classes would I have to take?
5. How long does it take to get a M.S. or PhD.?
6. When are classes offered? Do you offer night classes? Do you offer classes? Distance Ed?
7. I want to get a PhD., but I don’t have a M.S. yet, which program should I apply to?
8. Can I transfer coursework from another university?
9. Do you offer assistantships? How much do they pay?
1. How do I apply to the graduate programs?
http://www.fccs.huec.lsu.edu/graduate/apply.htm
2. What are the requirements for admission to the graduate programs?
Without exception, all applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and to have earned a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of at least 3.00. Three letters of recommendation are also required. In choosing references, those who are in the best position to evaluate your potential for graduate study are appropriate and will carry the most weight. As the application materials reveal, a personal statement is required. This statement should indicate your intentions, goals, and preparation for graduate study in Human Ecology. Of course, your application to the graduate school must include the transcripts of your previous academic career. Admission decisions are based on a holistic consideration of the applicant’s credentials.
3. Are students admitted year round? What are the application deadlines?
We admit students year round. However, applications for the FCCS graduate program received by April 1st will be given first priority for scholarships and assistantships. Students can start our graduate program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. International students must be admitted 2 months prior to the start of the semester. Therefore, international applicants should submit their applications at least 3 months prior to the start of the semester. Domestic students should submit their applications at least 1 month prior to the start of the semester. Students seeking assistantships should submit their applications as early as possible. Applicants for full-time status and those who submit applications for the graduate program by April 1st will be given first priority for assistantships.
4. What classes would I have to take?
M.S. students are required to take the following courses:
HUEC 7055 – Seminar in Family, Child, and Consumer Sciences (1 credit)
HUEC 7090 – Research Methods in Human Ecology (3 credits)
7000-level statistics course (3 credits)
HUEC 8000 – Thesis Research (6 credits)
All other coursework for the M.S. is selected by students in consultation with their advisory committee.
Ph.D. students are required to take the following courses:
HUEC 7090 – Research Methods in Human Ecology (3 credits)
HUEC 7092 – Human Ecology Research Seminar (1 credit)
HUEC 7093 – Advanced Research Methods in Human Ecology (3 credits)
7000-level statistics courses (6 credits)
HUEC 9000 – Dissertation Research (20 credits)
All other coursework for the Ph.D. is selected by students in consultation with their advisory committee.
5. How long does it take to get a M.S. or PhD.?
This varies among individuals, but it takes full-time students an average of 2 years to complete the M.S. program. Full-time students, who have already have a Master’s degree, take an average of 4 years to complete the Ph.D. program.
6. When are your classes offered? Do you offer night classes? Do you offer classes Distance Ed?
When possible, we schedule classes according to the needs of our students. Classes are often, but not always, scheduled to meet once per week and many can be offered at night. Likewise, many classes can be offered through Distance Education, when doing so would benefit our students. Decisions are made on a course by course basis each semester.
7. I want to get a PhD., but I don’t have a M.S. yet, which program should I apply to?
You should apply to the M.S. program. Once you have demonstrated success as a M.S. student, you can apply to the Ph.D. program and work on both degrees simultaneously.
8. Can I transfer coursework from another university?
Graduate coursework does not transfer in the same manner as undergraduate coursework. However, in many situations graduate coursework completed at another university may assist a student in meeting the requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. There are various specific limitations on whether coursework completed at another university may be used to meet the requirements for graduate degrees at LSU. You should contact the graduate coordinator (e-mail: huecgrad@lsu.edu, ph: 225-578-1730) to discuss your specific situation.
9. Do you offer assistantships? How much do they pay?
We offer research and teaching assistantships to full-time students on a competitive basis. Currently, the amount of graduate assistantship awards is a minimum of $9,000 for Ph.D. students and $8,100 for M.S. students for an academic year appointment and $12,000 and $10,200, respectively for fiscal year appointment. In addition to the stipends, tuition is waved for Graduate Assistants. The amount of the stipend is governed by the number of hours (20 per week) which the graduate assistant devotes to departmental duties. Graduate students in human ecology are also eligible to be nominated for awards made directly by the Graduate School to exceptionally well-qualified graduate students.
Do you have another question that is not on this list? Perhaps it is answered in our graduate student handbook. No, then please contact the Graduate Coordinator (e-mail: huecgrad@lsu.edu, ph. (225) 578-1730) for the answer.
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