Family and Consumer Sciences Education (B.A., B.S.)
Indiana State University
Description:
The University offers a bachelor of arts (B.A.) and a bachelor of science (B.S.) in family and consumer sciences education.
The Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program prepares students to teach family and consumer sciences at the middle, junior high, and high school levels, as well as in non-school settings such as the Cooperative Extension Service, community and family service agencies, government agencies, and wellness programs. In addition, students are qualified to teach and coordinate programs that prepare high school students to enter the workforce in family and consumer sciences-related occupations.
Course work includes the department's required core—plus course work in the following areas:
- Human development and family studies
- Family resource management
- Food and nutrition
- Health, safety, and environmental health sciences
- Interior design
- Textiles, apparel, and merchandising
Students also complete two years (4,000 clock hours) of successful employment in a recognized family and consumer sciences-related occupation or 1,500 clock hours of supervised work in the occupational family and consumer sciences field under the Teacher Education Program coordinator or an equivalent combination.
Early field experiences and student teaching are arranged and supervised by the College of Education. In addition, courses in the major provide many discipline-specific experiences (including in-class simulated teaching experiences) that complement the College of Education classroom and field experiences. Students also attend and facilitate professional development conferences and workshops at the local, regional, and state levels, and may chose to attend national conferences.
A number of activities and organizations enable students to interact with other students and professionals in the industry. These include the Indiana Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (INAFCS), the Indiana Association of Career and Technical Education (Indiana ACTE), and the Alpha Phi Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, a national honor society in family and consumer sciences.
Required Courses:
Careers:
In addition to qualifying for teacher licensure in Indiana, our graduates are prepared for a variety of positions in community education, whether in nonprofit agencies, business, or industry.
These positions include:
- Consumer service consultant
- Corporate consultant
- Energy specialist
- Health care director
- Hospital educator
- Human resource manager
- Product design/testing
- Specialist in aging agency
- Welfare advisor
Moreover, the family and consumer sciences education undergraduate degree is a solid foundation for graduate study in counseling or related fields. Those who choose to complete a master’s degree become eligible for employment as an educator in cooperative extension.
Accreditation:
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
In addition, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS), the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Indiana Department of Education, Division of Professional Standards.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Students have many sources of financial support for their studies, including financial aid, work-study programs, veterans' benefits, and special scholarships for entering freshmen and transfer students.
In addition, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a variety of awards and scholarships, including the Susan Marie Bareford Outstanding Junior in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. For information about these awards, contact the department.
Further Information:
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Indiana State University
812-237-3297
www.indstate.edu/fcs
The Catalog of Indiana State University is the document of authority for all students. The requirements given in the catalog supersede information issued by any academic department, program, college, or school. The University reserves the right to change the requirements at any time.
Last updated 8 June 2009