Christian professionals dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families and enabling communities.
Prepare Christian professionals to assume leadership roles that support quality of life of individuals and families in contemporary society.
In congruence with the mission of the University and the standards of The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, the department seeks to:
Family & Consumer Sciences is multidimensional with the overall mission of assisting individuals, families and communities in making informed decisions about their well-being, relationships and resources to achieve optimal quality of life (AAFCS, 2010). It is one of the most exciting, diverse, and interesting professions that offers graduates a rewarding career in a variety of settings. The common link between all practice areas is the way in which professionals address the social, physical and economic well-being of individuals, families and communities in their environment. The building blocks of human existence - food, clothing, shelter, human relationships, family life, consumer products and services remain the foundation of research, practice and public policy advocacy.
The FCS department offers academic programs in dietetics, child development, child life, community engagement, event management, FCS education, family life education and more. Learn more about our Academic Programs.
The didactic program in dietetics at Harding University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400, Email: ACEND@eatright.org, Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend). Effective Fall 2021, the Harding University Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics (didactic program in dietetics) will no longer be available to new students. Learn more about the Didactic Program in Dietetics Transitional Plans.
The Master of Science in Applied Dietetics Practice Program at Harding University is a candidacy program seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Address: 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, Phone: 800-877-1600, ext. 5400, Email: ACEND@eatright.org, Website: www.eatrightpro.org/acend).
The child life major is endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals through April 2024. 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.
