Family & Consumer Sciences Academic Programs

The accelerated B.S./M.S. pathway is for qualified undergraduate students, allowing them to complete both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in applied dietetics practice in five years. Students will complete liberal arts credits and prerequisites during their first three years and finish the same graduate program curriculum in years four and five. This program includes a total of 144 credit hours and 1106 hours of supervised experiential learning. Learn more about the Accelerated Applied Dietetics Practice program.

The Child Development degree prepares students for a variety of careers that target the health and development of children, birth through early childhood. It focuses on developmentally appropriate practices for children in a variety of settings that align with the standards from national accreditation associations in child development. The comprehensive nature of this degree prepares the graduate for a variety of jobs that are in demand nationwide.

This degree plan offers a strong background in child development and family systems. The course content for this program aims to promote effective coping through play, preparation, education and self-expression activities appropriate for children. Many of the courses include applications not only for clinical hospital settings, but for other facets of the field such as court and foster care systems, trauma teams, bereavement support services and others. This degree plan also involves an intense study of family-centered care in a variety of settings. A practicum experience where students choose a health care program for which to gain firsthand exposure to the field is required.

The child life major is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals. This recognition assures that the program meets the requirements set forth in the ACLP’s Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation Programs, confirming that the program’s structure, curriculum, resources, support system, and sustainability are of the highest quality. Students can be confident that coursework meets ACLP certification requirements, enabling them to apply for and take the exam to become a Certified Child Life Specialist.

This Bachelor of Science program of study will prepare students to become agents of positive change in their communities with a foundation based on theory, prevention and skill development to better meet the needs and challenges of today’s society. This degree plan incorporates service learning opportunities from the local community and includes courses from the College of Business Administration and social work department.

This Bachelor of Science degree prepares students for successful careers in event planning, management and production. This program of study also includes courses from the College of Business Administration and communication department.

The family & consumer sciences degree prepares professionals for careers in a diverse workplace. Graduates are trained to empower individuals, families and communities in the context of the basic human needs of food, clothing, shelter and relationships. Included in the degree are courses in all subject matter specialties: food and nutrition, child development and family services, apparel and textiles, housing and interiors, consumer education and resource management. Electives in the degree allow the student to readily choose a supporting minor or greater depth in one or more areas of family and consumer sciences. The FCS degree prepares students to provide informed leadership for the world around them to make a difference in the quality of life for all. Students who have a desire to pursue a nontraditional career will find this degree versatile and conducive to charting their own unique professional path.

In addition to ongoing teacher shortages in certain geographical areas, career opportunities in business, industry and the public sector exist for graduates with an education degree in family and consumer sciences.

Family life education focuses on healthy family functioning within a family systems perspective and provides a primarily preventive approach. The skills and knowledge needed for healthy functioning are widely known: strong communication skills, knowledge of typical human development, good decision-making skills, positive self-esteem, and healthy interpersonal relationships. The goal of family life education is to teach and foster this knowledge and these skills to enable individuals and families to function optimally. Family life education professionals consider societal issues including economics, education, work-family issues, parenting, sexuality, gender and more within the context of the family. They believe that societal problems such as substance abuse, domestic violence, unemployment, debt and child abuse can be more effectively addressed from a perspective that considers the individual and family as part of a larger system. Knowledge about healthy family functioning can be applied to prevent or minimize many of these problems. Family life education provides this information through an educational approach, often in a classroom-type setting or through educational materials (NCFR, 2010).

Harding's program is an approved program by the National Council on Family Relations. Graduates of our program have an abbreviated application process and a reduced fee to become a provisional certified family life educator.

All students interested in nutrition, food management and/or applied dietetics practice will start in the food and nutrition major. Students who choose not to apply to the accelerated program in Applied Dietetics Practice and want a career using the knowledge of food management will now have a separate option at the undergraduate level that leads to various careers in nutrition and food management. This program requires a minor.