Iowa State University
College of Human Sciences


General questions about the Academy

  1. What is the difference between other graduate programs and the FCS Education Leadership Academy Program?
  2. Can I earn a Master's degree and a teaching license simultaneously?
  3. Can I work towards a graduate degree and continue to work full time?
  4. How can I design a program of study to suit my needs and background?
  5. Is it possible to earn my degree without coming to campus?
  6. What additional requirements exist for international students?

The Admission Process

  1. What are admission requirements?
  2. Will I need to take the GRE?
  3. How do I apply to the program?
  4. Will previous graduate work transfer into the program?

Program Requirements

  1. How will I plan my program of study?
  2. How long does the program take to complete?
  3. Will I need to write a thesis or dissertation?
  4. Can I pick up additional graduate work from another institution?
  5. What types of courses are Academy students expected to complete?
  6. How many credits of coursework are needed for a Master's degree? For a PhD?
  7. Is it possible to earn a minor in FCS Education at the Master's or PhD level?

Financial Considerations

  1. What is the cost of tuition for this program?
  2. Is any financial assistance available?

General questions about the Academy

 

1. What is the difference between other graduate programs and the FCS Education Leadership Academy Program?

The FCS Education Leadership Academy offers students a new way to earn a master's or doctoral degree from one of the most long-standing and distinguished graduate programs in the world. Students take intense summer class at ISU during a three week period in the summer and finish projects and other long term assignments after the completion of the on-campus class session.
During the academic year, students take web-based courses. All courses are taught by professors from across North America who are experts in the area of study they are teaching. The FCS Education Leadership Academy allows a student to complete a master's or doctoral degree while maintaining his or her professional position.

 

2. Can I earn a Master's degree and a teaching license simultaneously?

It is possible to earn both a Master's degree and a teaching license at the same time. Licensure coursework in FCEdS is available at the graduate level and much of the supporting coursework and content area information can be taken at the graduate level as well.

 

3. Can I work towards a graduate degree and continue to work full time?

The FCS Education Leadership Academy is designed to allow students to continue to work full time and pursue their degree in a timely manner.

 

4. How can I design a program of study to suit my needs and background?

The background and interests of the student are taken into account when developing a program of study. Coursework outside the core areas in FCS Education and from supporting areas is flexible, depending on the student's background and career goals. Each program of study is designed to best meet the student's needs and interests.

 

5. Is it possible to earn my degree without coming to campus?

While some of the courses are offered on the web, students must commit to being on campus for the summer session. Earning the degree requires students spend time on the ISU campus. PhD students must commit to at least 24 consecutive credits at Iowa State University to meet residency requirements.

 

6. What additional requirements exist for international students?

International students must submit TOEFL scores if English is not their native language.  For visa and other immigration requirements, international students work with ISU's International Students & Scholars office. The website for this office is: http://www.isso.iastate.edu/


The Admission Process

 

1. What are admission requirements?

Admission requirements for programs leading to the MS and MEd degrees are:

  1. Completed ISU graduate application
  2. Three letters of recommendation fro previous employers, professors, or professional colleagues
  3. Official transcript(s) from all institutions attended
  4. Completion of the bachelor's degree in FCS Education, a content area of family and consumer sciences, or a related discipline. Students entering the program without an undergraduate degree in family and consumer sciences will be expected to become proficient in the content of the field
  5. Standing in the upper half of the college graduating class upon completion of the undergraduate degree
  6. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Scores
  7. English proficiency on the TOEFL demonstrated by a score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer test) if English is not the student's native language
  8. A personal goal statement, including an autobiographical narrative and a statement of professional goals

Additional admission requirements for the program leading to the PhD degree are:

  1. An earned master's degree in FCS Education or a related area
  2. Standing in the upper quartile of the class for the bachelor's degree
  3. A minimum grade point average of 3.25/4.00 for the master's degree
  4. Professional experience recommended but not required
  5. A short autobiographical narrative and statement of professional goals

 

2. Will I need to take the GRE?

GRE scores are needed as a part of the application. No minimum score is required, as all admission criteria are considered. GMAT scores may be considered as a substitute for GRE scores if requested by the applicant.

 

3. How do I apply to the program?

Application materials include an Iowa State University Graduate College Application, official transcripts, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, three (3) letters of recommendation, and a personal goal statement. Complete the Iowa State University Graduate College application forms; available at http://www.grad-college.iastate.edu. You may request a paper version of the forms by calling 800/262–3810. An application fee is required for those who did not earn their bachelor's degree from ISU.

 

4. Will previous graduate work transfer into the program?

Limited credit can be transferred into the degree program if the coursework has been completed in the last five years, is relevant to the degree, and is approved by the POS Committee.  In a PhD program, credits from the Master's degree may be accepted on your program of study.  Approval of all transfer work is at the discretion of the Program of Study Committee.


Program Requirements


1. How will I plan my program of study?

Each graduate student will receive individual advising based on his or her desired program of study. All advising will be specific to the individual depending upon previously earned degrees and credits. Decisions regarding required coursework are determined in conjunction with the Program of Study (POS) committee. The Program of Study committee is also responsible for final approval of all the program plans.

 

2. How long does the program take to complete?

If a student takes 9 credits during the summer and 3 credits each fall and spring semester, a student should be able to complete a Master's degree in 2 years and a PhD degree in 5 years.

 

3. Will I need to write a thesis or dissertation?

A three credit creative component is required for a Master of Education. The creative component provides opportunity for action research, study of a local problem, an internship, or another activity approved by the student's Program of Study committee. A thesis is required for a Master of Science. MS students must take at least 6 research credits for the thesis. A dissertation is required for a PhD degree. To fulfill the dissertation requirement, students must complete at least 12 research credits.

 

4. Can I pick up additional graduate work from another institution?

If graduate courses are needed from other institutions (a statistics class, for example), the student must receive approval from the Program of Study Committee before the course can be used as part of the program of study.

 

5. What types of courses are Academy students expected to complete?

FCS Education Leadership Academy students are able to take courses offered on campus and on the web in FCS Education and related areas.  Courses are offered in supervision, models of teaching, international FCS, research perspectives, program evaluation, administration theory, and other areas important to the field of FCS education. All students must complete the core courses. These courses are:

  • FCEDS 504: Intellectual Foundations of FCS Leadership
  • FCEDS 507: Program Development in FCS
  • FCEDS 511: Research Methods in FCS
  • FCEDS 515: Assessment in FCS

 

6. How many credits of coursework are needed for a Master's degree? For a PhD?

For a Master of Education, a minimum of 30 semester credits are required, including 3 credits of creative component. For a Master of Science, 30 semester credits are also required, but must include 6 credits of thesis research. For the PhD, 72 semester credits must be earned by the student, including a 12 credit dissertation. Some of these 72 credits may be applied from the Master's degree.

 

7. Is it possible to earn a minor in FCS Education at the Master's or PhD level?

A minor is available at the Master's and PhD level in FCS Education. To complete a minor in the program, 15 credits are required. Included in the 15 credits are 12 credits of core classes. For a PhD minor, at least one written preliminary question from the field of FCS Education is required from the student.


Financial Considerations

 

1. What is the cost of tuition for this program?

FCS Education Leadership Academy students register for courses through the Continuing Education and Communication Services unit at ISU, allowing students to be charged in-state tuition.  For current tuition rates, please check the graduate tuition rates at: http://www.iastate.edu/~registrar/fees/

 

2. Is any financial assistance available?

Several scholarships are available from the FCS College at ISU for qualified students based on academic achievement, scholastic ability, professional involvement, and leadership potential. Sources of scholarships might also include: American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), American Career and Technical Educators (ACTE), American Association of University Women (AAUW), employers, the government, and professional honor societies. Students may also use student loans to pay for the program.