Master of Science

Our M.S. offers three concentration areas; FHCE advisors and faculty can help you decide which is right for you.

Consumer Economics

This concentration develops your expertise in:

• Consumer decision making
• Households' interactions with markets
• Consumer literacy and behavior
• Poverty and material hardship
• Government interventions and policies
• Methods used by research analysts
• Applied consumer analytics

Upon completion you will have a refined understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face consumers in increasingly complex economic and political environments.

Financial Planning

This concentration develops your expertise in:

• Creating, managing, transferring wealth
• Tax matters
• Teaching personal finance
• Investment principles
• Research methods

Upon completion of this concentration you will be prepared to sit for the Certified Financial Planner^TM examination.

The University of Georgia does not certify individuals to use the CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and marks. CFP® certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience and examination requirements.

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Housing Management and Policy

This concentration develops your expertise in various aspects of:

• Affordable housing
• Community development
• Housing insecurity & homelessness
• Government programs & policy
• Mortgage finance
• Residential mobility
• Residential property management

Upon completion you will have a comprehensive understanding of housing as a product, an environment, a service, and a process to shelter a diverse and changing population.

M.S. Timetable

Most students complete the M.S. program in two years.

1. Form your advisory committee (1st term)
   • ​Advisory Committee for Master of Science Candidate
2. Determine your Program of Study (2nd term)
   • ​Program of Study for Master of Science Candidate
3. Apply for Graduation (2nd term)
   • Application for Graduation
4. Work with major professor to prepare thesis proposal (3rd term)
5. Have thesis proposal approved by advisory committee (3rd term)
   • FHCE Advisory Committee Action on Student’s Thesis Proposal
6. Prepare research and manuscript for thesis defense and final examination (3rd term)
   • Approval Form for Master’s Thesis, Defense and Final Examination
7. Defend your thesis (4th term)
   • Enroll for a minimum of 3 credit hours
8. Revise your thesis to meet committee's recommendations; obtain approval from major professor (4th term)
   • Approval Form for Master’s Thesis, Defense and Final Examination
9. Provide a bound copy of your final thesis to the FHCE Department (4th term)