Program Description and Objectives
The Department of Housing and Consumer Economics (HACE) offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science, the Master of Science Non-Thesis and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The graduate program provides in-depth study in consumer economics, family financial planning, or housing within a broader, interdisciplinary context. Course work is centered in the department, but draws upon offerings from across the college and throughout the university. The interdisciplinary nature of the materials makes these related offerings essential.
The past several decades have witnessed dramatic changes in the family economic system, the consumer's orientation to the marketplace and the issue of family shelter. The tremendous increase in female labor force participation, for example, has made management within the family more important and has redefined many traditional consumer roles. Technological changes have transformed the marketplace and, in the case of housing, opened new options to consumers.
All of this means that the subject areas contained in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics are more important than ever. There is an increasing need for individuals who understand these changes and can relate them to situations in education, the business world and the public sector. It is the objective of this program to prepare specialists to meet that need.
Examples of Positions Recent HACE Graduates Have Obtained Since Degree Completion
Andrea Cordy, M.S. Non-Thesis, December 2008, is an Education Program Specialist in the University of Georiga's Student Housing. Joan Koonce served as her major professor.
Franscisco Diaz, M.S., May 2008, is a faculty member in the Economics Department at the Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Mexico. His thesis is titled An Analysis Of The Meat Demand Of The U.S. Hispanic Population. Jack Houston served as his major professor.
Eric Gilmore, M.S. Non-Thesis, May 2008, works in the tax division at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Atlanta, GA. Lance Palmer served as his major professor.
Katie Robinson, M.S., May 2008, is the Assistant Community Manager at Westpark Club Apartment Homes in Athens, GA. Her thesis is titled The Residential Satisfaction of Military Personnel Living in Privatized and Non-Privatized Housing. Andy Carswell served as her major professor.
Melissa Wilmarth, M.S., May 2008, is currently seeking her Ph.D. in consumer economics in the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University of Georgia. Her thesis is titled Clear Thinking, Sound Judgment, Established Leadership: Helen W. Atwater. Sharon Nickols served as her major professor.
Gilbert Werema, Ph.D., August 2007, is a faculty member in the Business School at Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, TX. His dissertation is titled Spatial Differences in Food Consumption Behavior in Uganda. Jack Houston served as his major professor.
Mandy Anglyn, M.S., May 2007, is currently employed as an associate real estate appraiser with Tellatin, Short, Hansen and Clark, Inc. in St. Louis, MO. Her thesis is titled Incidence of Home Modifications Among Younger Old Adults and Older Old Adults Using Longitudinal Analysis. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Mandi Colson, M.S., May 2007, is a Program Manager for Energy Education with the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Her thesis is titled Affordable Housing Barriers in Georgia According to Local Homebuilders Association Members. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Qianqiu "Max" Zhu, Ph.D., May 2007, is employed by JPMorganChase, Westerville, OH Branch, as a statistician. His dissertation is titled Consumer Preferences for Internet Services: A Choice-Based Conjoint Study. Julia Marlowe served as his major professor.
Mary Linnenbrink, M.S., August 2006, joined the faculty at Benton Community High School as a FCS Teacher. Her thesis is titled Factors Associated with Savings and the Achievement of Savings Goals in Individual Development accounts: Evidence from the American Dream Demonstration. Teresa Mauldin served as her major professor.
Stephanie Vanderford, Ph.D., May 2006, joined the faculty in the Math Department of Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her dissertation is titled Homeless Families in Charlotte, North Carolina: Characteristics and Patterns of Exit from Homelessness. Anne Sweaney served as her major professor.
Yali "Lily" Yang", Ph.D., December 2005, is currently a part-time faculty member at California State University-Northridge. Her dissertation is titled Decision-Making Under Risk: Financial Goal, Wealth, and Reflection Effect. Joan Koonce served as her major professor.
Yi "Tom" Cai, Ph.D., December 2005, is currently a faculty member in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at California State University-Northridge. His dissertation is titled The Effect of Reference Prices on Consumer Willingness-to-Pay: An Investigation of the Online Name-Your-Own Price Strategy. Brenda Cude served as his major professor.
Kelly Manley, Ph.D., May, 2005, is currently a faculty member in the Economics Department at Gainesville State College in Watkinsville, GA. Her dissertation is titled Consumer Choice and Midwifery: A Qualitative Analysis. Brenda Cude and Teresa Mauldin served as co-major professors.
Marietta Jelks, M.S., May 2005, is working for the Federal Citizen Information Center of the General Services Administration in Washington, DC as an account executive. She works with federal agencies and non-profit organizations to provide valuable information to consumers on a variety of topics (money, credit, health, insurance, etc). They develop various marketing promotions to provide the publications and create content for their website pueblo.gsa.gov. Her thesis is titled Premature Affluence: Factors Related to Excessive Teen Spending. Julia Marlowe served as her major professor.
Anne Sweaney , Graduate Coordinator, 706-542-4877, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Nikki Williams, Graduate Coordinator Assistant, 706-542-4952, HACEgrad@fcs.uga.edu
Mailing Address:
Graduate Coordinator
Department of Housing and Consumer Economics
205 Dawson Hall
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
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Prospective HACE Graduate Students 
