MASTER OF ARTS IN FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES


Program Description
Course Description


Program Description

The Master of Arts (MA). in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program is a single major in hospitality management and tourism. The program requires 32 semester hours of graduate work, of which not more than 4 hours may be earned by a thesis. It is housed in Family and Consumer Sciences under the Division of the Human Development and Allied Technology, in the College of Education and Human Services. Parallel to the mission of Marshall University, the program in hospitality management and tourism is designed to produce graduates capable of recognizing, directing, coping effectively with and managing operations in foodservice, lodging and tourism industry.

Program Goals

Coursework seeks to advance the knowledge and understanding of the hospitality and tourism industry through research, teaching and service. The goals of the master’s program include:

  1. Produce graduates who are capable of assuming professional leadership positions in addressing concerns and issues faced by the foodservice and restaurant operations, tourism, and lodging management sectors of the industry.
  2. Enable graduates to operate from a continually growing and dynamic knowledge base that allow them to make effective decisions, and foster productive relationships with customers, employees, and organizations in hospitality and tourism industry.
  3. Helping students achieve a level of professional preparation that will enable them to assume top managerial positions in hospitality and tourism enterprises.
  4. Preparation of graduates for doctoral level studies. The program offers thesis.
  5. Expand their communication and interpersonal skills and present research outcomes and scholarly information both in writing and orally.
Program of Study

The Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) requires students to successfully complete 32 semester credit hours with thesis. Students will conduct independent research and write thesis based on their investigation. A minimum of 18 credit hours graduate coursework must be in Family and Consumer Sciences, including FCS 600. Each student must identify an academic advisor and at least two committee members as soon as possible in the first year of study. The advisory committee will provide guidance and approve the Plan of study.

A minor with a minimum of 9 credit hours in Family and Consumer Sciences is allowed. Interested students should contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Program Coordinator for further information.

Entrance Requirements

To be admitted into the Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences program an applicant must meet these requirements:
  1. The student must have a bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, hospitality management or tourism, or related discipline;
  2. Submit a transcript showing a completed bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher;
  3. Applicants who meet admission criteria, but do not have undergraduate preparation in Family and Consumer Sciences or related courses must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours of undergraduate preparatory courses in family and consumer sciences.

CurriculumCredit Hours
Required Core Courses9
FCS 600 Philosophy, Theories and Trends in Family and Consumer Sciences3
EDF 621 Educational Research and Writing3
EDF 517 Statistical Methods3
Hospitality and Tourism Courses18
FCS 606 Current Developments in Foodservice3
FCS 620 Technology in Hospitality and Tourism Industry3
FCS 622 Contemporary Issues and Trends in Hospitality and Tourism3
FCS 623 Security and Risk Assessment in Hospitality and Tourism Management3**
FCS 625 Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Strategy3**
FCS 626 Event Planning and Catering3**
FCS 671 Graduate Internship (3)3**
Thesis 
FCS 681 Thesis2-4
TOTAL HOURS32 or more

COURSE DESCRIPTION


FCS 606Current Developments in Foodservice. 3 hrs.
 Developments in menu design, personnel, cost control and production, and service of food to meet diverse needs and life styles of consumers.

FCS 620Technology in Hospitality and Tourism Industry. 3 hrs.
 Opportunities, threats, and impacts of competing in the hospitality and tourism industry in a digital economy, one where information technology (IT) and electronic commerce (e-commerce) have become the norm.

FCS 622Contemporary Issues and Trends in Hospitality and Tourism. 3 hrs.
 Developments, issues and problems in hospitality and tourism industry. Examine current and emerging trends, and developments, and their implications for the hospitality and tourism industry.

FCS 623Security and Risk Management for Hospitality and Tourism Industry. 3 hrs.
 Advance investigation of security and risk management within hospitality/tourism/foodservice industries.

FCS 625Hospitality and Tourism Marketing Strategy. 3 hrs.
 Analysis of marketing strategy, sales techniques, promotional tools, and research for hospitality and tourism development.

FCS 626Event Planning and Catering. 3 hrs.
 Theory and application of operational and managerial principles for on- or off-premises catering for special events.

FCS 671Graduate Internship. 3 hrs.
 Work and study(900 hrs) in an approved position to better understand the challenges and potentials of various careers in hospitality and tourism. A minimum of 800 work hours must be completed while enrolled in the graduate program.

FCS 681Thesis. 2-4 hrs.
 Independent research under the supervision of an advisor.


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