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Program links:

• Undergraduate degree programs
• Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences
• Master of Arts in Workforce Education and Development
• Graduate Certificate in Youth and Community Development
• Graduate Certificate in Kinship Care Families
• Graduate Certificate in Professional Workforce Educator
• Accelerated graduate degree programs

Undergraduate

Admissions and advising for undergraduate programs is located in the College of Education and Human Development.
Transfer credits in family studies and child development majors should contact Melinda Holohan.

Apply now

Graduate

Application instructions

WMU has a new online graduate application system that allows all students (domestic and international) to submit required information into one system. General application information for the University, as well as specific requirements for individual programs, are captured into this system.

Apply now

Master of Arts in family and consumer sciences

For admission to the master’s program in family and consumer sciences, students must satisfy all the requirements identified in the graduate catalog as well as specific departmental requirements. No one requirement is sufficient to guarantee admission or dictate denial of admission.

1. Possess a Bachelor of Science from an approved accredited school and a major closely related to the selected concentration.
2. Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last two years of undergraduate work (child life requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale). Non-degree, probationary status may be granted to students with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 in the last two years of undergraduate work.  Students with that GPA range may establish eligibility for regular admission to WMU by completing nine credit hours of approved graduate-level courses toward their M.A. with a grade of “B” or better in each course.
3. Complete the online application.

Note: Applicants submit all of the required application materials for the M.A. in FCS into the single online application: three letters of reference, transcripts, a resume, a self-statement and the general application form. The M.A. in FCS does not require GRE scores.

International students: consult with WMU’s Office of International Admissions and Services. For contact information, go to International Admissions and Services.

The admission committee reviews completed applications. A completed application includes three letters of reference, transcripts, a self-statement, a resume and the general application form.

Three letters of reference

In the online application list the names and email addresses of at least three people who have agreed to write letters of reference. The system will send each an email with a link where the letter can be uploaded. A minimum of three uploaded letters is required for a complete application.

Self-statement

Please prepare a statement that covers the following information, and attach it within the online application: 
In the first sentence of the statement, indicate if you are applying for admission to the child life, family science and services, fashion merchandising and apparel design, or youth and community development track. In the statement, summarize your experiences in academic, professional, research, creative or scholarly activities, and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for graduate study in your selected program. Also address how these activities align with the strengths of your chosen program and faculty, and with your professional goals, including future job positions. This statement (double-spaced and between 500 – 1500 words) should demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence. 

Resume

Include the following information in a resume:
1. Education
Colleges and universities attended with dates of attendance, graduation or expected graduation.

2. Licensures, Credentials, Awards

3. Employment History, Internship(s) and Volunteer Experience
Create a section for each and include:
 

• Title of position and employer, internship location or volunteer site
• Date of employment, internship, or volunteer experience (e.g., May 2015 through November 2016) and time worked (full-time at 40 hours per week, or part-time and the number of hours per week)
• Responsibilities, tasks and/or accomplishments

4. Other
Include other details pertinent to the M.A. in FCS option.

Child life track

Child life application deadlines are January 15 (for summer session and fall semester), March 26 (for fall or spring semesters), and October 1 (for spring semester and summer session). All materials, including three (3) required letters of reference and transcripts, must be received by the deadline. Following the deadline, selected applicants will be invited to a required interview as part of the application process.

Admission requirements for the child life program are:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• A bachelor’s degree or minor in human development, family science, child and family development, health services, or a related field.
• An undergraduate or graduate course in child development.
• An undergraduate practicum/internship and/or volunteer or work experience with children, youth and/or families.
• Recommended: Undergraduate coursework in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology with a grade of B or better.

Family science and services track

Fashion merchandising and apparel design track

Youth and community development track

MASTER OF ARTS IN WORKFORCE EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Applicants to the workforce education and development master's program should complete the online application, including submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, and written statement. More information can be found on the Master of Arts in Workforce Education and Development page.

Graduate certificate in Professional Workforce Educator

This Graduate Certificate Program in Professional Workforce Educator consists of nine hours of course work in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Education and Human Development. Two required courses provide the student with a background related to the foundation of workforce education, as well as advanced instructional and laboratory teaching strategies. The option for the third course provides a curriculum that fits a student's workforce education needs.

Additionally, this certificate program meets the academic course requirement for ��һ�鶹��Ƭ�� Interim Occupational Certificate. To earn the IOC, a student must complete the courses within the certificate, document related work experience and pass the necessary teacher certification tests.

Graduate Certificate in kinship care families

Admission requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in youth development or a related field.
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last two years of undergraduate studies. Conditional admission may be granted if a GPA in the last two years of undergraduate studies is under 3.0. Conditional admission will be converted to a regular admission if a B or better is earned in the first graduate course taken.
• Submit a resume that includes work, volunteer, practicum and internship experience.
• A statement that describes how experience(s) have influenced career goals and a desire to pursue a certificate degree, and how earning a graduate certificate in kinship care families will advance these career goals.
• Recommendations from three persons able to comment on the applicant’s potential to success in the graduate certificate program.

Note: Applicants submit all of the required application materials for the graduate certificate in kinship care families into the single online application: three letters of reference, transcripts, a resume, a self-statement and the general application form. The graduate certificate in kinship care families does not require GRE scores. International students: consult with WMU’s Office of International Admissions and Services.

For contact information, go to International Admissions and Services. The admission committee reviews completed applications. A completed application includes three letters of reference, transcripts, a self-statement, a resume and the general application form.

Three letters of reference

In the online application list the names and email addresses of at least three people who have agreed to write letters of reference. The system will send each an email with a link where the letter can be uploaded. A minimum of three uploaded letters is required for a complete application.

Self-statement

Please prepare a statement that covers the following information, and attach it within the online application: In the statement, summarize your experiences in academic, professional, research, creative, or scholarly activities, and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for graduate study in youth and community development. Also address how these activities align with the strengths of this program and faculty, and with your professional goals, including future job positions. This statement (double-spaced and between 500-1500 words) should demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence.

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN YOUTH AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Admission requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in youth development or a related field.
• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) in the last two years of undergraduate studies. Conditional admission may be granted if a GPA in the last two years of undergraduate studies is under 3.0. Conditional admission will be converted to a regular admission if a B or better is earned in the first graduate course taken.
• Submit a resume that includes work, volunteer, practicum and internship experience.
• A statement that describes how experience(s) have influenced career goals and a desire to pursue a certificate degree, and how earning a graduate certificate in youth and community development will advance these career goals.
• Recommendations from three persons able to comment on the applicant’s potential to success in the graduate certificate program.

Note: Applicants submit all of the required application materials for the graduate certificate in youth and community development into the single online application: three letters of reference, transcripts, a resume, a self-statement and the general application form. The graduate certificate in youth and community development does not require GRE scores. International students: consult with WMU’s Office of International Admissions and Services.

For contact information, go to International Admissions and Services. The admission committee reviews completed applications. A completed application includes three letters of reference, transcripts, a self-statement, a resume and the general application form.

Three letters of reference

In the online application list the names and email addresses of at least three people who have agreed to write letters of reference. The system will send each an email with a link where the letter can be uploaded. A minimum of three uploaded letters is required for a complete application.

Self-statement

Please prepare a statement that covers the following information, and attach it within the online application: In the statement, summarize your experiences in academic, professional, research, creative, or scholarly activities, and indicate how these experiences make you an ideal candidate for graduate study in youth and community development. Also address how these activities align with the strengths of this program and faculty, and with your professional goals, including future job positions. This statement (double-spaced and between 500-1500 words) should demonstrate your communication skills and writing competence.

Graduate advisors

• Master of Arts in Workforce Education and Development: Dr. Adam Manley
• Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences: Dr. Karen Blaisure

Graduate teaching assistants

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences typically hires two or three teaching assistants during the fall and spring semesters. Graduate students wishing to be considered for one of these positions should send a letter of interest and a resume to Dr. Adam Manley.

Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP)

M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences
Child life and family life education emphasis areas

Qualifying students can accumulate up to 12 credit hours toward the Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences while enrolled as undergraduates in the family studies major, the child and family development major, or the youth and community development major. Designated 5000- and 6000-level courses are counted in both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria:

• Declared major in family studies, child and family development, or youth and community development
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on at least 45 earned credit hours, 15 of which shall be earned at Western ��һ�鶹��Ƭ�� University) and 3.5 GPA in the major (based on at least 12 earned credit hours)
• Meet general admission criteria for the M.A. in FCS

To apply

1. As early as possible in the academic junior year, contact Dr. Karen Blaisure to discuss this AGDP option and review the requirements, timelines and application procedures.

2. Apply for a graduation audit, even if you have not completed 88 credit hours.

3. Complete an online admissions application. Go to the WMU application page and select the application type "Accelerated degree seeking - only available to current WMU undergraduate student." In a drop down menu look for M.A. in FCS – Accelerated. The application is considered complete when all required information is received, including three letters of reference, transcripts, a resume and a self-statement).

M.A. in Youth and Community Development

Qualifying students can accumulate up to 12 credit hours toward the Master of Arts in Youth and Community Development while enrolled as undergraduates in the family studies major, the child and family development major or the youth and community development major. Designated 5000- and 6000-level courses are counted in both the bachelor’s degree and the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria:

• Declared major in family studies, child and family development or youth and community development.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (based on at least 45 earned credit hours, 15 of which shall be earned at Western ��һ�鶹��Ƭ�� University) and 3.5 GPA in the major (based on at least 12 earned credit hours)
• Meet general admission criteria for the M.A. in Youth and Community Development.

To apply

1. As early as possible in the academic junior year, contact Dr. Karen Blaisure to discuss this AGDP option and review the requirements, timelines, and application procedures.

2. Apply for a graduation audit even if you have not completed 88 credit hours.

3. Complete an online admissions application. Go to the WMU application page and select the application type "Accelerated degree seeking - only available to current WMU undergraduate student." In a drop down menu look for M.A. in FCS – Accelerated. The application is considered complete when all required information is received, including three letters of reference, transcripts, a resume and a self- statement).

For More Information

Dr. Karen Blaisure, FCS graduate advisor
Dr. Adam Manley, FCS department chair