205
Graduate Programs
205.32
Human Ecology
205.32 Human Ecology
Department of Human Ecology
3-02 Human Ecology Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2N1
E-mail: hec.grad@ualberta.ca
205.32.1 General Information
The Department of Human Ecology offers a PhD in Human Ecology, master's degrees in Textiles and Clothing, Family Ecology and Practice, and Aging. Students come from a variety of academic backgrounds and upon graduation have taken employment in a wide range of careers in social service agencies, museums and cultural agencies, government, research and teaching.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants to the PhD program must possess a thesis-based master's degree from a recognized institution and have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4 point scale, or its equivalent, in the last 
60. Applicants who have the equivalent of an honor's baccalaureate degree in a related field from a recognized institution, and who present a minimum grade point average of 3.7 on a 4 point scale, or its equivalent, in the last 60, may also be considered for admission to the doctoral program. Applicants also will be required to provide evidence of research potential as demonstrated by previous scholarly work.
Candidates for the MSc or MA degrees should hold a four-year bachelors degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. An applicant proceeding from either a three-year program in a related field, or a four-year program in a different field, may be admitted as a qualifying student.
Applicants to all programs will also be required to present three letters of reference from individuals knowledgeable about their academic and research capabilities, and may be required to present a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper-based) or 92 (Internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Academic Standing Requirements
The Department of Human Ecology requires higher grades than those acceptable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (see §203.8.3). The minimum acceptable grade in any course taken by students registered in the master’s and doctoral programs in Human Ecology is a grade of B-. Grades below a B- count as failing grades for graduate students in Human Ecology.
The Department of Human Ecology also requires higher cumulative grade point averages than those acceptable to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (see §203.8.2). All students pursuing a master’s degree in Human Ecology must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the course of the program. All students pursuing a doctoral degree in Human Ecology must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 throughout the course of the program. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below the required minimum may be required to withdraw at any time.
Financial Assistance
A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available for well-qualified students.
205.32.2 The Degrees of MA and MSc in Textiles and Clothing
Program Requirements
Both thesis-based and course-based master's programs are offered by the Department of Human Ecology.
The MA in Textiles and Clothing focuses on material culture and the MSc in Textiles and Clothing focuses on textile and apparel science. Requirements for the thesis-based master's degree include 20 including HECOL 661 and 662 (for the MA) or HECOL 680, 681 (for the MSc), 6 in qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and/or statistics, 2 of professional seminars (HECOL 691 and 692), and a minimum of 6 of additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation. All candidates for the thesis-based master's degree are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral. 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.
Requirements for the course-based master's degree include 26 including HECOL 661 and 662 (for the MA) or HECOL 680 and 681 (for the MSc), 2 of professional seminars (HECOL 691 and 692), and a minimum of 12 of additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping exercise. All students in the course-based master's program are required to complete 6 of a capping exercise that may be an applied project or a practicum. For students in the course-based program there is no residence requirement.
Length of Program
The time to complete the master's degree 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 of full-time study for the course-based degree.
205.32.3 The Degree of MSc in Family Ecology and Practice
Program Requirements
Both thesis-based and course-based master's programs are offered by the Department of Human Ecology.
Requirements for the thesis-based master's degree include 20 including HECOL 532 and 610, 6 in qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and/or statistics, 2 of professional seminars (HECOL 691 and 692), and a minimum of 6 additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation. All candidates for the thesis-based master's degree are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral. 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.
Requirements for the course-based master's degree include 26 including HECOL 532 and 610, 2 of professional seminars (HECOL 691 and 692), and a minimum of 12 of additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping exercise. All students in the course-based master's program are required to complete a 6 capping exercise that may be an applied project or a practicum. 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
205.32.4 The Degree of MSc in Aging
Program Requirements
Both thesis-based and course-based master's programs are offered by the Department of Human Ecology.
Requirements for the thesis-based master's degree include 20 including HECOL 532, 604, 610 and 6 in research methods and/or statistics, 2 of professional seminars, and a minimum of 3 of additional coursework depending on undergraduate background and the nature of the research problem under investigation. All candidates for the thesis-based master's degree are required to conduct thesis research, and to make a minimum of two professional research presentations, at least one of which must be oral. 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.
Requirements for the course-based master's degree include 26 including HECOL 532, 604, and 610, 2 of professional seminars, and a minimum of 9 of additional coursework depending on undergraduate background, work experience and the nature of the capping exercise to be undertaken. All students in the course-based master’s program are required to complete a 6 capping exercise that may be an applied project or a practicum. For students in the course-based program there is no residence requirement.
205.32.5 The Degree of PhD in Human Ecology
Program Requirements
On completion of the PhD program all students are expected to possess minimum competencies in:
The discipline of Human Ecology: this normally would be acquired during master's level work. Students entering without a closely related master's degree would be expected to acquire these basic competencies during the doctoral program. | |
Research methods and statistics: sufficient competency in research methods and/or statistics to enable students to read across the literature in their area of study, and to complete their dissertation research is expected. Basic competencies may be acquired during master's level work, or during the doctoral program; additional research skills required for successful completion of the student's dissertation research will be acquired during the doctoral program. | |
The substantive area of the student's research: will be acquired during the doctoral program. |
Students are required to take a minimum of 20 beyond the master’s program core requirements which generally includes the following:
HECOL 601
9 courses that support the student's content area and dissertation research
Two graduate professional seminars (HECOL 693 and 694)
6 research methods or statistics
All doctoral students are required to make a minimum of two research presentations, at least one of which must be oral. All doctoral students also shall be required to conduct dissertation research and pass a written comprehensive examination, an oral candidacy examination, and a doctoral dissertation defence.
There is a residence requirement for the PhD program of two academic years, where academic year is defined as the eight-month period from September through April.
Length of Program
All requirements for the degree must be completed within six years.
205.32.6 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Human Ecology (HECOL).
