Department of Human Sciences

About

Department Chair: Ron Reed, M.S.

Contact Information
Human Sciences
(936) 294-1250
Box 2177 SHSU
1700 Sam Houston Ave.
Huntsville, TX 77341-2177

Website: Department of Human Sciences

Mission

The mission of the Department of Human Sciences is to prepare future professionals with the knowledge and skills to positively impact individuals, families, and communities. 

Programs

M.S. in Dietetics

The SHSU M.S./DI program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website.

Scholarships

The SHSU Graduate School provides an opportunity for interested students pursuing their graduate degree to receive scholarships and funding for course work.

These opportunities are listed below and can be found through the following links:

College of Health Sciences

Department of Human Sciences

Many other scholarship opportunities are available, including those based on the academic record of the incoming student. Many organizations at the national, state, and local level, including professional organizations and corporations, offer scholarships for specific majors within the department. Students should check the specific criteria required by these organizations. Brochures and information concerning the department and scholarships may be obtained by writing:

Department of Human Sciences
Box 2177
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, Texas 77341-2177

or e-mail your request to Human Sciences. Website: Department of Human Sciences

Dietetics 

DIET 5079. Dietetic Internship Practicum. 1-3 Hours.

This course is composed of a supervised internship in an area of specialization. Course may be repeated for credit. Variable Credit (1-3).

DIET 5367. Consumer & Food Technology. 3 Hours.

Investigations of recent developments in food production and marketing; consideration of physical and chemical factors influencing the quality of food; implications and guidelines for the consumer. Course Equivalents: FACS 5367 .

DIET 5383. Research Problems. 3 Hours.

This course is tailored to the needs of students in the Dietetic Internship (DI) Program in regard to research, project development, and problem solving. Each student will conduct an individual project. As a team, students will develop a case study based on a nutrition problem with a culturally diverse target population group. Students will develop and market a brochure based on solutions to the developed study. Course Equivalents: FACS 5383
Prerequisite: HUSC 5330 and SOCI 5314.

DIET 5385. Sports Nutrition. 3 Hours.

This course is designed for students to review evidence-based research of nutrient requirements of health promotion and wellness, and for competitive sports in children, adolescents, adults and the elite athlete. Students will be taught various strategies and interventions to provide effective dietary changes for the performance enhancement of athletes across the life cycle in multiple levels of sport activities. Course Equivalents: FACS 5385
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5395. Dietary Supplements. 3 Hours.

This course will prepare students for identifying the potential benefits or harmful effects of dietary supplements for health, wellness, and medical intervention for illness or athletic performance. A review of the botanical properties and complementary medicinal claims of popular dietary supplements commonly used in various cultures will be reviewed for preventative health, medicinal intervention, and potential ergogenic aids. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)'s for several vitamins and minerals released by the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board will also be reviewed. Credit 3 Course Equivalents: FACS 5395
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5396. Cultural Food Counseling. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on nutrition education strategies and interventions that will improve dietary patterns that relate to cultural values and mores associated with food habits and behaviors. Students will explore and appreciate the cultural factors that affect food patterns, cultural competency, and appropriate medical nutrition therapies and interventions. Course Equivalents: FACS 5396
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

DIET 5398. Public Health Nutrition. 3 Hours.

This course emphasizes the various roles of public health nutritionists in the context of global public health concerns and programs, and the role dietitians play in numerous public health programs. Research approaches and core competencies of public health nutritionists, global, and national public health goals and objectives, and interventions within public health nutrition programs are investigated in the course. Course Equivalents: FACS 5398 .

Family and Consumer Sciences

Human Sciences 

HUSC 5087. Independent Study. 1-3 Hours.

This is a course designed for independent study of selected topics under the supervision of a faculty member. This course will examine special topics in the field of Human Sciences. Variable Credit (1-3). Course Equivalents: FACS 5087, FACS 5387 .

HUSC 5097. Special Topics in Human Sciences. 3 Hours.

This is a course designed for independent study of selected topics under the supervision of a faculty member. / This course will examine special topics in the field of Human Sciences. Course Equivalents: FACS 5097 .

HUSC 5323. Interiors & Aging Population. 3 Hours.

This course provides an in-depth study of how interior environments affect the aging population, primarily focusing on housing issues and options. Emphasis is on policy, needs assessment, finances, and physical design. Course Equivalents: FACS 5323
Prerequisite: Graduate Standing.

HUSC 5330. Seminar in Human Science Research. 3 Hours.

A course designed to acquaint graduate students with the need for and contribution of research. Criteria are developed for designing and completing research. Course Equivalents: FACS 5330 .

HUSC 5375. Seminar in Recent Developments in Human Science. 3 Hours.

A critical analysis of current trends, issues, and problems in Human Sciences. Course may be repeated for credit. Course Equivalents: FACS 5375 .

HUSC 5380. Aging Population Needs. 3 Hours.

This course is focused on the broad principles of human sciences and effects of interior environments, food and nutrition, fashion, apparel and textiles related to an aging population. Course Equivalents: FACS 5380 .

HUSC 6098. Thesis I. 1-3 Hours.

This phase of the thesis investigation includes the completion of the review of the related literature, formulation of the research design and procedures, and related pilot studies. Some data collection may also occur, and the thesis symposium must be completed to the satisfaction of the advisor and members of the thesis committee. Variable Credit (1-3). Course Equivalents: FACS 6098, 6398 .

HUSC 6099. Thesis II. 1-3 Hours.

This phase of the thesis includes the completion of the data collection, as well as the actual writing and defense of the thesis. Variable Credit (1-3). Course Equivalents: DIET 6099, FACS 6099, FACS 6399 .

Berna El Rahi Abed el Sater, PHD, Assistant Professor of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, University of Montreal; MS, American University of Beirut; BS, Notre Dame University

Laura Keilers Burleson, PHD, Assistant Professor of Interior Design, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Texas Tech University; MS, Oklahoma State University; BS, Oklahoma State University

Linda Gail Fergus, PHD, Assistant Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, LSU & A&M College; MS, Texas Woman's University; BS, LSU & A&M College

Ernesto Molinar Hernandez, PHD, Lecturer of Human Science, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Univ of Massachusetts-Amherst; MS, Oregon State University; BS, University of Guanajuato

Tabbetha Dawn Lopez, PHD, Assistant Professor of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Univ of Houston-Main; MS, Texas Tech University; BS, Univ of Houston-Main; BS, Univ of Houston-Main

Keila E Tyner, PHD, Associate Professor of Practice of Human Sciences, Department of Human Sciences, PHD, Iowa State University; MS, Colorado State University; BS, Texas Christian University