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Director ~ Antonia Maphosa
VISION
In line with the Solusi University Vision the department of graduate studies in Family & Consumer Sciences is committed to being the leading Christian, academic center of excellence locally and regionally.
MISSION
To achieve the vision, the department of graduate studies in family and consumer sciences is committed to provide quality academic and professional programmes aimd at enhancing the intellectual and human resource capacity of individuals, families, the local communities and the larger international community through the development of professionally competent practitioners who are spiritual, focused, technologically advanced, innovative and socially responsible. The mission will be achieved through instruction, research and community services.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the programme is to specifically prepare qualified graduates to teach in the family and consumer sciences discipline at the undergraduate level in institutions of higher education within the region served by Solusi University.
Secondly the programme aims at providing opportunity for students to become specialists in the two areas of clothing and textiles and food and nutrition for better management of the family unit.
DESCRIPTION
The Department of Graduate Studies in Family & Consumer Sciences [FCS] offers a graduate programme leading to the Master of Science in Family & Consumer Sciences.
According to the professional goals of the students, graduate studies in family and consumer sciences provide an opportunity for specialized in-depth study in either clothing and textiles or food and nutrition with a core in family studies specially designed to complement the two areas of specialization. Family studies as a core in both areas of specialization is not just cosmetic but, it is an essential component because the student needs to understand the consumers’ [family and its members’] behaviours at different stages of the life cycle as they are the essence of the programme’s existence. The MSc in Family & Consumer Sciences prepares students to work as family counsellors, community nutrition project specialists, food service systems managers, food technology specialists, clothing and textile design and technology specialists and other consumer sciences related areas.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to graduate studies in family & consumer sciences is subject to the following requirements.
1. A. Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Education degree in family & consumer sciences, [Home Economics] successfully completed with superior or above average grades [first or upper second class passes respectively] [GPA 2.75 and above].
2. Evidence of ability to pursue advanced study in family & consumer sciences by maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the area of specialization and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 throughout the two years [24 calendar months] of study.
3. Prospective students whose first language is not English must show proof of proficiency in English at the undergraduate level through one of the following:
All education having been done at an institution where English was the medium of instruction
Pass an English proficiency examination given by the English Department before registering for classes.
4. All applicants must have done a research project at undergraduate
level.
5. Students who have not done any computer appreciation course
may need to bridge the gap with INSY 100 Computers and Data Processing.
DUAL ENROLMENT ADMISSION
Students who are enrolled in the undergraduate programme at Solusi University and are within 12 semester credits of finishing the degree may request to take graduate courses while completing undergraduate course requirements.
1. The undergraduate students however, must also satisfy the following requirements:
Make a request for admission into the graduate studies programme.
Completely meet all other regular admission standards including a GPA of 2.75.
Take no more than 10 semester credits (combination graduate and undergraduate) each semester.
Students should be aware of the limitations that govern taking graduate courses and the restrictions
attached to both cumulative credits and admission into graduate studies:
Credits earned from graduate courses may not be used to satisfy undergraduate requirements.
A maximum of 16 semester credits earned from graduate courses may be reserved and only applied to the graduate degree from Solusi University.
Taking graduate courses does not guarantee or imply future admission into the degree programmes as all admission requirements should be met before the student is accepted into the graduate studies in family & Consumer Sciences.
ADMISSION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS
Students returning after an absence of one semester or more, must notify the admissions office of intention to return, and must receive confirmation of possibility of re-admission date and availability of accommodation.
BRIDGING COURSE
INSY 100 Computers & Data Processing
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for graduation students must have successfully completed and satisfied the following course requirements:
38 Core Requirement Credits
22 Specialization Area Credits
60 Total Credits
Maintenance of a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
Any student whose first semester GPA is less than 2.75 in the area of specialization may be restricted to a lighter course load in the subsequent semester.
Students whose cumulative GPA is below 2.75 may not be permitted to do research. Graduate students who accumulate more than four grades below B- may be asked to withdraw from the program.
Students will also be required to write a research thesis, which will be examined by a panel of qualified assessors appointed by the department and chosen from each area of specialization. The candidate is expected to orally defend the thesis to the public after a formally written invitation to interested individuals in the University to attend.
DURATION
The minimum duration of the programme is 2 years [24 calendar months].
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Core Requirements for both areas of specialization Total 38
FCSC 500 Philosophy of Adventist Lifestyle
ANTH 510 Cultural Anthropology
CLTX 516 Social-Psychological Influences in Clothing
FCSC 530 Theories in Child Development
FCSC 531 Theories in Child Development Lab
FCSC 540 Family Counselling & Stress Management
FCSC 541 Family Counselling & Stress Management Lab
FCSC 520 Family Cultural Perspective
FCSC 590 Supervised University Teaching
FCSC 680 Research Methodology
FCSC 690 Masters Thesis
FDNT 504 Community Nutrition
FDNT 505 Community Nutrition Practicum
RELT 523 Professional Ethics & Values
STAT 485 Applied Statistics
INSY 100 Computers & Data Processing
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