Family and consumer sciences (FCS) programs in colleges and universities in the United States reported that a total of 540 theses and dissertations were completed in 2011. This number was an increase from the total of 263 theses and dissertations completed in 2010. However, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that 2,876 theses and dissertations were awarded within FCS fields of study in 2009/2010 (the latest reporting year). The much larger number reported by NCES indicates that research is needed to learn more about the factors associated with underreporting. To develop this report, the authors contacted each college and university three times to obtain information. This resulted in an increase in participation to 36 colleges and universities compared with 19 colleges and universities who reported in 2011. Nutrition and Dietetics was the leader in the number of dissertation titles submitted with 22 titles followed by Institution, Hotel and Restaurant Management with 21 titles, and Family Relations with 19 titles. Nutrition and Dietetics was also the leader in the number of master's thesis titles submitted with 74 titles followed by FCS Education with 59 titles, and Child Development with 55 titles. One of the trends noted this year is that master of science programs are increasingly offering nonthesis options.
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