Admission to the Family Economics and Consumer Behavior PhD program is based on academic merit and fit with the research strengths of the Consumer Science faculty. As such, the student’s statement of purpose should clearly indicate how their research interests correspond with the Ph.D. program and faculty strengths. Applicants with a background in consumer science or related social science disciplines such as economics, political science, and sociology and in research methods and statistics will have the greatest chance of success. Students are only admitted to start in the Fall term. Students are eligible to be directly admitted to the Ph.D. program following successful completion of a bachelor’s degree.
On-line application to Graduate School http://info.gradsch.wisc.edu/admin/admissions/
I. Application (on-line only)
II. Application fee (application cannot be processed without this)
III. Graduate Record examination scores (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test scores (GMAT).
IV. TOEFL scores for international students
To be sent to Consumer Science Graduate Program:
V. An official copy of transcripts from all colleges and graduate schools attended
VI. Three letters of recommendation. Each reference in the online application for admission will be sent an email that includes your name with a link to each department’s electronic recommendation form.
VII. Applicant's statement of purpose
Consumer Science Graduate Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Middleton Building
1305 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706 USA
The Consumer Science graduate committee reviews all material and provides a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School who makes the final admission decision. The e-mail address for the Department of Consumer Science is: csdept@mail.sohe.wisc.edu
Admission Requirements for the Ph.D. in Consumer Science
I. A Bachelors degree in Consumer Behavior, Family Economics, Economics, Sociology, or a related field.
II. Prior academic work. To prepare the student for graduate work applicants should have successfully completed at least one college-level course in each of the following: introductory microeconomics, intermediate microeconomics, consumer behavior, research methods, statistics, regression analysis, and calculus. Students who fail to meet the minimum course requirements for admission may be admitted with deficiencies.
III. GPA: A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale in undergraduate course work. In exceptional circumstances students with a lower GPA may be admitted if there are other indications of ability to do PhD work.
IV. Letters of Recommendation: The letters of recommendation must strongly support the applicant's interest in and promise for successful work for a Ph.D. These letters should all be from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic work and address how the applicant's academic work indicates ability to successfully complete Ph.D. course and dissertation work.
V. Applicant's Statement: The statement must address why the applicant is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in this area and at the University of Wisconsin. The statement must explicitly address career goals and area of research interest for their dissertation.
VI. Other experience: nonacademic work should be described if it is directly related to educational and career goals.
VII. Official GRE scores or GMAT scores.
Materials Required for Consideration for Admission by students who will have obtained a Masters degree from the Consumer Science department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
I. A letter of application to the Ph.D. program.
II. An official copy of their UW transcripts.
III. Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant's academic abilities and research skills. One of the letters must be from their current advisor.
IV. Applicant's statement of purpose. The statement must address why the applicant is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in this area and at the University of Wisconsin. The statement must explicitly address career goals and area of research interest for their dissertation.
