RCS Graduate Programs
Retail and Consumer Sciences
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Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management
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Certificate in Services Management
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Certificate in Tourism Development
Retail and Consumer Sciences
Graduate Programs are offered through the Department that encompasses study based on retailing and/or consumer science and lead to:
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M.S. in Consumer Services Management with a concentration in Retail and Consumer Sciences, and
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Ph.D. in Human Ecology with a concentration in Retail and Consumer Sciences.
The Retail and Consumer Sciences M.S. and Ph.D programs stress excellence in research, teaching, and public service with the program focusing upon retailing, the consumer, and the interface between them. Retail and Consumer Science programs are regiona, national, and international leaders in retail and consumer science education and scholarship.
PROGRAM FEATURES
Research opportunities are available due to the high level of research productivity in the department. Graduate students are afforded the opportunity to become well-rounded researchers via coursework, special projects, and experience as research assistants.
Industry partnerships with many corporate headquarters of leading retailers located in the Knoxville metro area add to the graduate experience. The program offers the opportunity to work on industry-related projects through the Institute for Service Excellence and the UT Tourism Institute.
Professional development is encouraged by graduate student involvement in faculty research that results in scholarly presentations and publications.
Funding opportunities are available campus-wide for scholarly presentations at conferences and instructional enhancement.
Faculty members are diverse in their areas of expertise and provide the opportunity for graduate exposure to many facets of retail. The Retail and Consumer Science graduate program has achieved international, national and regional leadership.
An optimal graduate experience aids in developing future professional linkages among program cohorts.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A complete file for review includes the Graduate Application for Admission file, Department of Consumer Services Management application, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for the general section, and three Graduate Rating Forms completed by individuals who can attest to the graduate education.
In addition to specific entrance requirements stipulated by the Graduate Council, admission to the master’s degree program with a major in Consumer Services Management is dependent on completion of undergraduate courses that give the necessary background for success in the graduate program. For the concentration in retail and consumer sciences, students should have an adequate background in retailing and/or consumer science supported by course work in marketing and statistics.
Superior students deficient in one or more of the above requirements, may be admitted at the discretion of the department’s graduate faculty. Deficiencies may need to be addressed through undergraduate coursework.
RCS GRADUATE COURSES
RCS
500 Thesis
RCS 501 Professional Project
RCS 510 Retail Strategy and Decision Making
RCS 511 International Trade and Retail Analysis
RCS 538 Consumer Product and Services Management
RCS 541 Consumer Analysis in Services Management
RCS 562 Research Methods
RCS 590 Research Seminar
RCS 593 Directed Study
RCS 595 Special Topics in Retail and Consumer Sciences
RCS 600 Dissertation
RCS 614 Theory in Retail Environment
RCS 615 Retail and Consumer Sciences Literature and Thought
RCS 616 Research Methods, Models and Measurement in Retail
and Consumer Sciences
RCS 625 Strategic Managerial Retailing
RCS 641 Retail Consumer Behavior
RCS 695 Advanced Topics in Retail and Consumer Sciences
RCS GRADUATE FACULTY
Nancy
Fair Ph.D
• Service management
• Product development
Ann Fairhurst Ph.D
• International aspects of the retail environment
• Tourism retailing and tourists’ shopping behavior
Laura Jolly Ph.D
• Rural retailing
• Economic development
• Internet retailing
• Web-based instructional development
Youn-Kyung Kim Ph.D
• Mall shopping behavior
• Non-store retailing
• Consumer efficiency
• International retailing
Deana Wise Ph.D
• Technology acceptance
• Economic development
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP
Graduate assistantships are available to provide tuition and stipends. Evaluation for acceptance is based on the applicant’s scholastic record, GRE scores, experience and compatibility with teaching or research needs. The University is a participant in the Academic Common market.
Contact the Department of Retail, Hospitality,
and Tourism Management
1215 W. Cumberland Ave.
110 Jessie Harris Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-1911
Email: rhtm@utk.edu
Fax: 865-974-5236
Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism
Phone: 865-974-2141
Retail & Consumer Sciences
Phone: 865-974-2141