In the College of Human Ecology .
The Master of Professional Studies (Human Ecology) is a Graduate School Program intended for professionals who need further academic training but whose career goals are not oriented to research and teaching at an advanced level. Often, this degree is appropriate for persons who want a one year Master’s degree. Typically, these individuals are successful professionally but feel they need further concentrated study to increase their usefulness on the job. Their study program in the MPS (Human Ecology) program would include course work primarily focused on a subject or problem area related to their professional career. The applicant’s professional accomplishments and motivation should provide evidence that he or she will benefit from and successfully complete graduate work for the MPS (Human Ecology).
To be eligible for the MPS (Human Ecology) program, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and fluent command of the English language and have demonstrated competency in a professional field related to human ecology. To meet admission standards of the Cornell Graduate School, the applicant must show evidence of intellectual and personal development as measured by his or her undergraduate record, the Graduate Record Examination or other appropriate tests, and recommendations, as well as evidence of professional accomplishments. Professional performance and potential are weighed heavily in evaluating the applicant for admission.
The MPS (Human Ecology) program is available in the graduate field of:
- Fiber Science and Apparel Design
Admission
Admission to the Graduate School requires approval of both the field in which the MPS (Human Ecology) is sought and approval by the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective field of the College of Human Ecology.
Procedure:
- Applications should be directed to the Graduate School, Caldwell Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Degree program: MPS (Human Ecology). Proposed field of instruction: field of concentration must be in a graduate field affiliated with the College of Human Ecology.
- The chosen field will act on the application. Decisions will be communicated to the applicant and the Graduate School through the graduate school’s designated process.
Special Committee for Degree
A Special Committee composed of three members of the graduate faculty is responsible for advising the student in the development of a comprehensive plan of study consistent with the formal requirements for a degree. The Committee also approves and guides the student’s problem-solving project and appraises the student’s progress by means of oral or written examinations or both.
The Committee members are selected as follows:
- The chair of the Special Committee is chosen by the student from his or her graduate field of specialization.
- A second graduate faculty member, who represents an area of concentration that supports the student’s interest, is selected by the student in consultation with his or her Committee chair. The person may be selected from any graduate field in the University.
- The third graduate faculty member of the Special Committee is selected in consultation with the Senior Director of Graduate Studies for the respective field of the College of Human Ecology. This member may be from any graduate field affiliated with the College of Human Ecology.
Requirements for Graduation
1. The student must complete 30 course hours related to his or her professional interests as agreed upon in consultation with the Special Committee.
a. Twenty of these course hours must be within the College of Human Ecology.
b. At least 24 of the 30 credits must be in courses numbered 4000 or higher.
c. Up to 6 of the 30 hours of required credit may be earned in connection with the problem-solving project (see item 3).
d. No more than 6 of the 30 course hours may be in courses that are graded SIU (satisfactory/unsatisfactory).
e. No more than 6 of the 30 course hours may be earned outside the program (in non-affiliated graduate fields at Cornell University or at other universities).
Acceptance of these courses is at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective field of the College of Human Ecology upon the recommendation of the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective graduate field affiliated with the College of Human Ecology. These transfer credits must be appropriate to the subject of the chosen field of study and must have been completed no more than five years prior to admission to the program.
2. The student must successfully complete a problem-solving project approved in advance by the Special Committee and pertinent to the subject matter of the field of concentration.
The project may be one of the following:
a. The execution of a professional action program designed under the guidance of the Special Committee,
b. the development of a professional plan of attack on a pertinent problem,
c. the development of professional materials suited to the student’s interests,
d. the development and execution of research appropriate to the profession.
3. The written project report must be approved by the Special Committee. A bound report on the problem-solving project that has been signed by the Special Committee chair must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective field for the College of Human Ecology. The bound copy will be placed in Mann Library at Cornell University.
4. The student must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5.
5. All requirements for the degree must be completed within four years of admissions.
Petition for exceptions to the requirements stated herein will be received for approval by the appropriate graduate field through the Director of Graduate Studies of that field which will be forwarded to the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective field of the College of Human Ecology for final review and approval. This petition should be transmitted to the Director of Graduate Studies with a recommendation from the chair of the student’s Special Committee.
The program is under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. The student must be registered in the Graduate School and administration of the degree must meet the requirements established by the Graduate School.
For further information
For detailed information in the appropriate field of interest you should address inquiries to the Director of Graduate Studies for the respective graduate field that is affiliated with the College of Human Ecology.