MFS Family and Consumer Sciences at Iowa State University

Programme overview

The Master of Family and Consumer Sciences is a non-thesis degree, also offered online with a specialization through the Innovative Digital Education Alliance. Specializations are Dietetics, Family Financial Planning, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Gerontology, Human Development and Family Studies, and Youth Development.

Faculty: College of Human Sciences | Intake: Applications accepted year-round | Study mode: full-time | Location: Ames, IA, United States

What you will study

The HDFS track requires 19 credits in theories and research methods and 18 credits in other HDFS courses, plus a written final exam. Family Financial Planning and Youth Development tracks have stated learning goals (financial planning and CFP ethics; Positive Youth Development).

Career pathways

HDFS track: human service agencies, child care centers, intervention programs, outreach, personal and financial resource management, and housing-related roles.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate College requirements: 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) Academic Records/Transcripts Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.) Proof of English Proficiency. Programme-specific requirements: Transcript(s), resume, goal statement, and two letters of recommendation Program Requires GRE: No Program Requires GMAT: No

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms for first-year applicants include Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027. International undergraduate applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and may be submitted up to one year before the intended start date; applying at least six to eight weeks in advance is strongly recommended.

Graduate application fee: $60 for domestic applicants and $100 for international applicants (nonrefundable), a separate fee for each program applied to; some programs postpone fee collection until after review. Deadlines are set by each graduate program.

Apply through the official page: https://apps.admissions.iastate.edu/apply/online/

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