Family and Consumer Sciences Education - BS, Community-Based

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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

About This Degree:

The Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FCSE) program trains students to become family and consumer sciences (FCS) educators in both school-based and community-based settings.

The program prepares students to enter a high-demand profession throughout the U.S. FCSE graduates are qualified to teach many subjects, including apparel and textile construction, nutrition and foods, interior design, child and human development, financial literacy, and more.

Community-Based Family & Consumer Sciences Education Emphasis: This emphasis prepares students for outreach and education in non-formal settings and community engagement. Students will develop a diverse background in FCS content areas. The curriculum includes courses in all the FCS areas: financial literacy, human relationships, child development, apparel and textile construction, interior design, nutrition and foods, and FCCLA leadership. Additional courses in non-formal education include non-formal teaching methods, volunteer programs, community programming and evaluation, and youth development. Students will also gain knowledge about communication, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, effective writing, and teamwork. Students in the community-based program will complete two internships starting their junior year with an FCS-based business, public or private agency, commodity organization, nonprofit organization, or extension office. Students may take some additional coursework to obtain a Family Finance Minor.

For more information about Family and Consumer Sciences Education, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor, Caisa Shoop, at c aisa.shoop@usu.edu or 435-797-2282.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 1050: College Algebra (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 3.0 GPA

Additional Information

Eligibility Requirements: The Family and Consumer Sciences Education Bachelor’s Degree (BS) with an emphasis in Community-Based Education has eligibility requirements for new first-year students, USU students, and transfer students from other institutions or programs at USU. All applicants must be a student in good standing, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students who wish to complete this degree must do so with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Program Notes

School-Based Family and Consumer Sciences Education Component: In order to obtain a teaching license for family and consumer sciences (grades 6-12), students must complete 120+ credits in FCS, secondary education, and general education courses. The first years of the program (2/3 of the degree) focus on taking classes specific to the different FCS content areas and completing general education requirements. In the last years (1/3 of the degree), students are focused on teacher education courses taught by faculty from TEAL and the Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education Departments.

Students are required to be admitted into the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP), which includes one semester of student teaching in a public school. This program is administered by USU’s School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL) within the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. These courses are taught in addition to the FCSE content taught through the School of Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education. Students in the family and consumer sciences education program do not need to complete a minor because the program provides students with comprehensive knowledge in several subject areas, expanding their career options.

It is very important for each student to meet with the advisor to build a successful plan based on individual needs.

The program trains students to become family and consumer science educators in nonformal settings through a well-rounded curriculum.

The major includes study in nutrition, dietetics and food sciences; family and human development; interior design; apparel and textiles; and consumer sciences. Many states, including Utah, require a master’s degree to work for extension. This program requires an overall GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation.

For more information, contact the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Academic Advisor, Caisa Shoop, at c aisa.shoop@usu.edu or 435-797-2282.

Required Support Courses (12 credits)

CHEM 1110 - General Chemistry I (BPS) 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1120 - General Chemistry II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
MATH 1050 - College Algebra (QL) 4 credit(s) (grade of C- or better)

Major Required Courses (74 credits)

A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses, except ASTE 2250 and ASTE 4250 which are taken on a pass/fail basis.

ASTE 2250 - Occupational Experience in Agriculture 1-6 credit(s) (1 credit required)
ASTE 3625 - Youth Development Education 2 credit(s)
ASTE 4155 - Nonformal Teaching Methods 3 credit(s)
ASTE 4215 - Community Programming and Evaluation 3 credit(s)
ASTE 4250 - Occupational Experiences in Agriculture 1-6 credit(s) (3 credits required)
ASTE 5220 - Volunteer Programs and Partnerships 3 credit(s)
FCSE 1040 - Introductory Sewing for Outdoor Products 3 credit(s)
FCSE 1350 - Financial Literacy (BSS) 3 credit(s)
FCSE 2040 - Intermediate Clothing Construction Skills, Principles and Alterations 3 credit(s)
FCSE 2350 - Financial Literacy 2 3 credit(s)
FCSE 2510 - Orientation to Family and Consumer Sciences Education 3 credit(s)
FCSE 3030 - Textile Science (DSC/QI) 4 credit(s)
FCSE 3080 - Fashion Studies and Society (DHA) 3 credit(s)
FCSE 3400 - Family and Consumer Sciences Education Methods I 3 credit(s)
FCSE 3790 - Housing and Interior Design Teaching Methods 3 credit(s)
HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 2400 - Couple and Family Relationships (BSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4550 - Preschool Methods and Curriculum 3 credit(s)
IAD 1750 - Design in Everyday Living (BCA) 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5500 - Integration and Innovation of Technology in Education 3 credit(s)
NDFS 1020 - Science and Application of Human Nutrition (BLS) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 1240 - Food Literacy 3 credit(s)
NDFS 2020 - Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle 3 credit(s)
NDFS 3070 - Science of Food Preparation 4 credit(s)
SCED 3210 - Educational and Multicultural Foundations (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)

Electives (15 credits)

A grade of C or better must be earned in these courses. They may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. Students must have 15 credits of approved electives from the following list, or as approved by the major academic advisor:

Clothing and Textiles
FCSE 3040 - Advanced Clothing Studies: Patternmaking 3 credit(s)
FCSE 3140 - Digital Pattern Rendering 3 credit(s)
FCSE 4030 - Textiles and Technology 3 credit(s)
FCSE 4040 - Advanced Apparel Studies 3 credit(s)
Human Development and Family Studies
HDFS 2450 - Consumer and Family Economic Issues (BSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3100 - Abuse and Neglect in Family Context 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3110 - Human Sexuality 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3450 - Consumer Credit Problems 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3500 - Infancy and Childhood 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3540 - Adult Development and Aging 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3570 - Youth and Adolescence 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3700 - Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness 3 credit(s)
HDFS 4220 - Family Crises and Interventions 3 credit(s)
Food and Nutrition
NDFS 1010 - Chocolate: Science, History, and Society (BPS) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 1050 - Food Safety Manager Certification 0.5 credit(s)
NDFS 1250 - Sanitation and Safety 3 credit(s)
NDFS 2030 - Nutrition and Physical Performance 2 credit(s)
NDFS 3110 - Food, Technology, and Health (DSC) 3 credit(s)
Communications and Leadership
ASTE 2100 - Personal and Team Leadership 3 credit(s)
ASTE 3050 - Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 3090 - Graphic Design in Agriculture and Media Industries 3 credit(s)
CMST 1020 - Public Speaking (BHU) 3 credit(s)
CMST 2110 - Interpersonal Communication (BHU/HR) 3 credit(s)
CMST 3250 - Organizational Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
TCR 2100 - Introduction to Technical Communication 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4215 - Video and Audio Design and Production I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4220 - Video and Audio Design and Production II 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4230 - Graphic Design and Production I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4240 - Graphic Design and Production II 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4270 - Digital Making and Learning 3 credit(s)
SOC 4640 - Managing Community Conflict (CI) 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Family and Consumer Sciences Education BS, Community-Based

Family and Consumer Sciences Education BS, Community-Based - 4 Year Degree Map