Thank you for your interest in the Master of Science in Gerontology. It is designed to prepare you with a thorough background in theory and research in gerontology, as well as advanced principles in program development, management, and evaluation, to prepare you to assume a leadership role in aging in public or private sectors.
This degree offers four emphases: Nutritional Science, Latino Health and Nutrition, Food Science, and Dietetic Internship.
These emphases provide an opportunity for students to:
Admission to MS Graduate Program
Prospective students must comply with University requirements for admission to the graduate studies program at CSULB as outlined in the CSULB Catalog. Students must concurrently submit applications to the University Admissions and Records Office and to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
The requirements for prospective graduate students for the Master of Science degree are:
1. A bachelor's degree in nutrition, Dietetics, or related filed with an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 undergraduate units attempted.
2. A minimum score of 4 on the Analytical Writing section of the general GRE.
Institution Codes for GRE Scores:
CSULB: 4389
Nutrition: 0214
3. A passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if the applicant's native language is not English and prepaatory education was principally in a language other than English.
4. Submission of the following to the Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences:
A. A copy of the completed application submitted to the CSULB Office of Enrollment Services.
B. Three letters of recommendation, on official letterhead, with at least two from instructors who have direct knowledge of the applicant's scholastic ability and professional qualifications.
C. An official copy of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last 5 years.
4. A passing score on the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if the applicant's native language is not English and preparatory education was principally in a language other than English.
Additional Admission Criteria for Students Choosing the DI Emphasis
1. Completion of a ACEND accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics with an original Verification Statement from the Didactic Program Director;
2. Related volunteer or work experience in the United States;
3. Completion of the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) application by February 15th;
4. Additional application materials to Program Director by February 15th which includes a nutrition-related experience worksheet and a GPA calculation sheet (both forms can be downloaded from the Internship Program website: www.csulb.edu/dieteticinternship); and,
5. Interview with Program Director and review committee.
FCS Department Address:
Department of Family & Consumer Sciences
California State University Long Beach
ATTN: Graduate Assistant
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840-0501
THE POSTMARK DEADLINES FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT GRADUATE COORDINATOR SENT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE GRADUATE ASSISTANT ARE FEBRUARY 15th FOR FALL ADMISSIONS. There are no spring admissions.
1. Completed graduate application and application fee. (Applications can be sent online via csumentor.edu)
2. Official Transcripts.
3. Officially Reported GRE Scores.
Mail to:
Office of Enrollment Services/Graduate Admissions
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
Prerequisites
Prerequisites for all courses carrying graduate credit must have been completed within five years of taking the graduate courses. If any prerequisite is outdated, it may be repeated or credit obtained by written examination.
Entering graduate students will meet with the Graduate Coordinator to prepare a tentative degree program. In order to enroll in any graduate course, the student must have completed all prerequisites and must obtain approval from the Graduate Coordinator.
International students and students from other states:
International Students must go through the Center for International Education before they can be admitted to the University. Information can be found on their website.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy is the next step after achieving classified status and signifies approval of a plan of study by the student's major department and college. (Definition taken from CSULB Catalog.)
Students must complete the following steps to advance to candidacy before continuing his/her course of graduate study in the second year:
Satisfy the general University requirements for Advancement to Candidacy.
Complete 9 units of graduate courses (500/600 level), including FCS 696.
Successful completion of the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE). A GRE analytical writing score of 4.0 will satisfy this requirement.
Maintain a 3.0 GPA for all coursework attempted as a graduate student.
Complete a Program of Study in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Approval by the Graduate Coordinator of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
Enrollment in the semester in which the Advancement to Candidacy takes place.
Requirements for Completion of MS Degree
1. Completion of a minimum of 37 units
2. Maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA
3. Oral presentation of the Thesis or Directed Project.
Forms/Publications
* Change in Program of Study MA/MS (.pdf)
* Process for Enrolling in FCS 697 (MS Word)
* Petition to Enroll in FCS 697 (MS Word) (.pdf)
* Signature Page Template for Thesis/Directed Projct Proposal (MS Word)
Graduate Studies (GS) 700
The deadline for graduate students to register for GS 700 is the end of the add-drop period of the semester or other session in which the student wishes to maintain continuous enrollment for the purpose of completing the culminating activity or graduating.
By policy, GS 700 can only be taken after all other coursework has been completed. If a graduate student wishes to take a semester off before resuming coursework, s/he must take a Planned Educational Leave, not GS 700. GS 700 may only be taken twice.
To register for GS 700, students must have an authorization slip signed by the Graduate Coordinator. This form can be obtained from the graduate assistant (FCS 007A) or the CCPE Registration Office, located at the Foundation Building, 6300 State University Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach, CA 90815.
Directed Project Requirements (FCS 692) MS
*Nutritional Science Requirements (MS) (MS Word) (.pdf)
Thesis Requirements /Deadlines
After approval from Graduate Committee, submit thesis/directed project to:
Thesis Office
Library 104 West
Please refer to department graduate bulletin board for thesis and project deadlines.
Please refer to the Thesis and Disertation Office website for the policy an n d procedures for sumbitting a thesis. Access the thesis author online submission form from the Thesis and Disseratation Office website at:
http://www.csulb.edu/library/guide/serv/thesis.html
For information on thesis information, visit the following link
http://www.csulb.edu/library/guide/serv/thesis.html
The information provided in this Handbook addresses the unique requirements, policies,
and procedures for the Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences and the Master
of Science in Nutritional Science degree programs offered in the Department of Family
and Consumer Sciences.
Handbook is undergoing revisions.
