DIVISION of Consumer Science (Graduate)

Return to: Graduate Studies

Website URL:

http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/htm/graduate

Department/School Head:

Rich Ghiselli, Ph.D. 

Academic Programs:

Master’s and Ph.D. Programs:
 

Overall -   The Division of Consumer Science is located within the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management. It offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the following major areas of specialization: consumer behavior and family and consumer economics. Providing students with opportunities to become expert social scientists in areas that interface psychology, communication, management, health economics, and financial planning. The dynamic and integrative discipline of consumer science studies consumer decision-making from a behavioral/attitudinal/economic perspective. 

Ph.D.–There are two essential parts to your graduate career: coursework and research. At the graduate level, coursework will immerse you in issues requiring integration, insight, and critical thinking. While undergraduate education focuses on transmitting knowledge, the goal of graduate education is teaching you how to create knowledge. The focus is not so much on content but on how present knowledge can be used to illuminate and create new knowledge.

Research is the second part to your graduate education and is as important as your coursework. Since graduate education is so special, accomplishing it requires a more one-on-one relationship with a research mentor. Get involved in research from the start and build expertise in an area by immersing yourself in that field of knowledge.

M.S. 

• Thesis Option - Research-based graduate programs for those wishing to earn a Master’s Degree with the intent to pursue a Ph.D. program upon graduation.
• Non-thesis Option - Meets the needs of those wishing to earn a Master’s Degree and return to the industry with no intention of pursuing a Ph.D. program. 

Concentrations (Areas of Study):

• Consumer Behavior. The primary focus of study for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in consumer behavior is the interdisciplinary study of consumer participation in the marketplace. Theories from several disciplines are employed in the study of the decision process, and activities and influences while individuals engage in the various stages of evaluation, use, and disposal of consumer goods and service. Previous background in the social sciences, marketing, or economics is assumed. Students who do not possess this background may need to enroll in supplementary coursework to build entry competencies.
   
• Family and Consumer Economics. Primary areas of study for the Master of Science degree or the Doctor of Philosophy degree are consumer economics, consumer resource management, or family economics. In addition to the primary area, both the M.S. and Ph.D. plans of study must include one or more related areas of study. These areas include, but are not limited to agricultural economics, economics, management, psychology, sociology, and statistics.

Regular Graduate Faculty by Rank:

Professor

B. Almanza (HTM)
L. Cai (HTM)
R. Ghiselli (HTM)
S. Jang (HTM)
X. Lehto (HTM)

Associate Professor

J. Bauchet (CSR)
C. Behnke  (HTM)
E. Chan (CSR)
J. Day (HTM)
J. Ismail (HTM)
J. La Lopa (HTM)
J. Kang (CSR)
D.Nelson (HTM)
A.Nicely (HTM)
S. Sydnor (HTM)
S. Tang  (HTM)

Assistant Professor

K. Byrd (HTM)
A. Fan (HTM)
S. Gordon (HTM)
S. Jung (HTM)
L. Lawry (CSR)
J. Sun (CSR)

Programs

• Consumer Science, PHD
• Consumer Science/Gerontology, PHD

Return to: Graduate Studies