Master of Science in Family Ecology and Practice (Human Ecology)

Program Requirements

Both thesis-based and course-based master’s programs are offered by the Department of Human Ecology.

Thesis-based MSc

Students are required to complete a minimum of 20 units in coursework and a thesis

Coursework (20 units)

HECOL 610
HECOL 611
HECOL 691
HECOL 692
6 units in graduate-level research methods and/or statistics
A minimum of 6 units in additional coursework
- 3 units must be a HECOL course

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. All candidates are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral

Course-based MSc

Students are required to complete a minimum of 26 units in coursework including a 6-unit capping exercise.

Coursework (20 units)

HECOL 610
HECOL 611
HECOL 682
HECOL 691
HECOL 692
A minimum of 9 units in additional graduate-level coursework
- 3 units must be a HECOL course
- For students who choose a practicum capping exercise, HECOL 508 is recommended

Capping Exercise (6 units)

The capping exercise may be an applied project or a practicum; students are required to make a professional presentation on the applied project or practicum.

Ethics Requirement

Students must meet the GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 (for both master’s and doctoral students) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Professional Development Requirement

Students may use some of the HECOL Professional Seminars to count towards their GPS Professional Development Requirement . See the Department Graduate Program Manual for further information. The Professional Development Requirement may also be fulfilled through registration in HECOL 508 .

Academic Standing Requirement

Students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 with no grade less than B- throughout the course of their program.

Failure to maintain the required academic standing will normally result in a recommendation by the Associate Chair – Graduate Program to GPS that the student be placed on academic probation or required to withdraw.

Residence Requirement

For students in the thesis-based program, there is a residence requirement of two, four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta. For students in the course-based program there is no residence requirement.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the MSc will vary with the individual candidate; however, a minimum of two years is normally required for the thesis route and a minimum of one year for the course-based degree.

The maximum time to complete the thesis-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is four years.

The maximum time to complete the course-based MSc program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.