Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies
Administered by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Leading to a degree bachelor of science.
The curriculum in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies (FCEDS) prepares graduates with a broad understanding of individual and family well-being. Graduates apply knowledge and research in Human Sciences content in global professional settings. They work in an integrative fashion to improve well-being by addressing and acting on complex problems confronting individuals, families, and communities.
FCEDS is an interdisciplinary major where students take coursework in across content areas including Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Interpersonal Relationships, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Textiles, Interior Design, and Financial Planning. This unique program of study integrates multiples facets of human health and well-being, preparing FCEDS graduates to support individuals, families, and communities in diverse settings to achieve an optimal quality of life.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the FCEDS undergraduate program, students will:
Learning Outcome 1: Human Development: The student understands how humans grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences and materials.
Learning Outcome 2: Human Differences: The student uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each individual to meet high standards.
Learning Outcome 3: Learning Environments: The student works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Learner 4: Content Knowledge: The student understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of Family & Consumer Sciences to make the discipline accessible and meaningful for their audience.
Standard 5: Application of Content: The student understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage individuals in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
Learning Outcome 6: Assessment: The student understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor progress and outcomes, and to guide decision making.
Learning Outcome 7: Planning for Instruction: The student plans education that supports every individual in meeting rigorous goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy/andragogy, as well as knowledge of individual and community context.
Learning Outcome 8: Instructional Strategies: The student understands and uses a variety of strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. The student integrates current and emerging technology in instruction to encourage creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy. Students practice and advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.
Learning Outcome 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice: The student engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (individuals, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.
Learning Outcome 10: Leadership and Collaboration: The student seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.
Students in FCEDS may choose coursework that leads to becoming a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), a program that has been approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). These courses provide the basic education for students interested in working with families, including adolescents, parents, or adults working to strengthen relationships. The student takes courses that support the development of knowledge and skills in family life content areas selected by the National Council on Family Relations. The certification is a voluntary credential that requires the individual to complete a degree in an approved program and to have at least two years of work experience in family life education settings (see http://www.ncfr.org/cfle-certification).
Graduates may also choose from one of several nationally recognized professional certifications available from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Council for Certification. This program measures competencies of FCS professionals using high- quality, rigorous assessments. Certifications that are currently available can be seen at https://www.aafcs.org.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies OPTIONS FOR EMPHASIS
Students choose one of three options: Teacher Licensure, Professional Studies, or Communications.
Graduates of the Teacher Licensure option may teach Family and Consumer Sciences in middle, junior high, and senior high schools. Students who enroll in Teacher Licensure must apply and be accepted into the educator preparation program prior to enrolling in advanced courses. This program is approved by the Iowa Department of Education. There is an opportunity to take online & summer courses to allow certified teachers or those enrolled in a teacher intern program to add endorsement 139: 5-12 Family & Consumer Sciences – General”
Graduates of the Professional Studies option are prepared to work in a variety of careers including Extension & Outreach, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies as well as within the private business or entrepreneurial sector.
Graduates of the Communications option have the ability to educate consumers in a global and technologically changing society. Students apply the principles of educational presentations, journalism, marketing, and public relations to empower people to critically analyze options and make the best choices for their needs.
General Education Requirements
Communications and Library: 10 credits
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Communication and Conflict Management | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Business and Professional Speaking | ||
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Total Credits | 10 | |
Natural Sciences and Mathematical Disciplines: 9-10 credits
| BIOL 1010 | Introductory Biology | 3 |
| or BIOL 1550 | Human Biology | |
| MATH or STAT course from approved general education options | 3-4 | |
| CHEM 1600 | Chemistry in Modern Society | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9-10 | |
Social Sciences: 9 credits
| HDFS 1020 | Human Development * | 3 |
| HDFS 2760 | Human Sexuality * | 3 |
| Select one of the following: * | 3 | |
| Consumer Issues | ||
| Happiness Across the Lifespan | ||
| Death as a Part of Living | ||
| Aging and the Family | ||
| Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | ||
| World Food Issues: Past and Present | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
*Minimum grade of C
Humanities: 6 credits
Select from approved general education options.
FCS Core: 23 credits
| HDFS 1100 | Freshman Learning Community Orientation | 1 |
| or HDFS 1110 | New Transfer Student Seminar | |
| FCEDS 2060 | Home Ec to Human Sciences: Legacy and Advocacy. * | 2 |
| FCEDS 3060 | Teaching Human Sciences * | 4 |
| HDFS 2830 | Personal Finance * | 3 |
| Select one from: * | 3 | |
| Food and the Consumer ** | ||
| The US Food System | ||
| FSHN 1150 | Food Preparation Laboratory * | 1 |
| Select one from: * | 3 | |
| Family Studies | ||
or HDFS 2240 | Child Development | |
| FCEDS 3250 | Housing & Interior Design for FCS Professionals * | 3 |
| HSPM 1010 | Introduction to the Hospitality Industry * | 3 |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
*Minimum grade of C **Teacher Licensure must take the option
Option 1- Teacher Licensure: 52 Credits
| EDUC 2190 | Orientation to Teacher Education: English, FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language Majors * | 1 |
| EDUC 2020 | Educational Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom * | 3 |
| EDUC 2040 | Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary * | 3 |
| EDUC 3330 | Educational Psychology * | 3 |
| EDUC 4060 | Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Secondary * | 3 |
| FCEDS 4060X | Educational Principles in Family & Consumer Sciences * | 3 |
| or EDUC 4260 | Principles of Secondary Education | |
| FCEDS 4130 | Curriculum, Lab Management and Assessment for Family and Consumer Sciences * | 3 |
| FCEDS 3980 | Foundations of Career and Technical Education in Family and Consumer Sciences * | 3 |
| SPED 4010 | Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education * | 3 |
| HDFS 2270 | Middle Childhood and Adolescence * | 3 |
| HDFS 2240L | Child Development Practicum * | 1 |
| FCEDS 3800V | Pre-Student Teaching Experience in FCS Education | 1 |
| FCEDS 4800V | Pre-Student Teaching Experience in FCS Education | 2 |
| FCEDS 3350 | Textiles & Apparel for FCS Professionals (offered even summers only) * | 3 |
| or FDM 1310 | Fashion Products and Markets | |
| FDM 1200 | Intro to Assembly Apparel Processes * | 1 |
| FCEDS 4170A | Supervised Teaching in Family and Consumer Sciences: Vocational family and consumer sciences. * | 8 |
| FCEDS 4170B | FCEDS 4170B: Supervised Teaching in Family and Consumer Sciences * | 8 |
| Total Credits | 52 | |
*Minimum grade of C
Option 2- Communications: 45 Credits
| AESHM 2870 | Principles of Management in Human Sciences | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| HDFS 2270 | Middle Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| or HDFS 2340 | Young Adulthood Through Later Life | |
| HDFS 3690 | Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 3950 | Children, Families, and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 4200 | Advanced Professional Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 3860 | Human Services Management I | 3 |
| HDFS 4860 | Human Services Management II | 3 |
| PR 2200 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| PR 3050 | Publicity Methods | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | ||
| Aging and the Family | ||
| Personal and Consumer Health | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Rhetorical Website Design | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | ||
| Business and Technical Editing | ||
| Visual Aspects of Business and Technical Communication | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Digital Design Communications | ||
| Media Ethics, Freedom, Responsibility | ||
| World Communication Systems | ||
| Diversity and the Media | ||
| FCEDS 4910A | Supervised Experiences in a Professional Setting: Communications | 6 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
Option 3- Professional Studies: 45 credits
| AESHM 4740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| or ENTSP 3100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | |
| HDFS 2270 | Middle Childhood and Adolescence | 3 |
| or HDFS 2340 | Young Adulthood Through Later Life | |
| HDFS 3690 | Research Methods in Human Development and Family Studies | 3 |
| HDFS 3670 | Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | 3 |
| HDFS 3770 | Aging and the Family | 3 |
| HDFS 3950 | Children, Families, and Public Policy | 3 |
| HDFS 4200 | Advanced Professional Practice | 3 |
| HDFS 3860 | Human Services Management I | 3 |
| HDFS 4860 | Human Services Management II (minimum of 6 credits ) | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Consumer Issues | ||
| Fundamentals of Financial Planning | ||
| Income Tax Planning | ||
| Insurance Planning | ||
| Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | ||
| Aesthetics: Art, Beauty, and Everyday Life | ||
| Cultural Perspectives of Global Dress | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Family Communications and Relationships | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Principles of Public Relations | ||
| Publicity Methods | ||
| Business Communication | ||
| Technical Communication | ||
| FCEDS 4910B | Supervised Experiences in a Professional Setting: Professional Studies | 6 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
University Electives: 13-21 credits
Total Credits: 123 credits
The courses listed in this section are approved general education course options for this major.
Natural Sciences and Mathematics: 9-10 credits. Coursework designed to facilitate students' understanding of the structure and behavior of the natural world and appreciate mathematics as a valuable tool of the sciences and an intrinsically important way of thinking.
| Licensure | ||
Select 3-4 credits from: | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Education I | ||
| Principles of Statistics | ||
| Communications | ||
Select 3-4 credits from: | ||
| Principles of Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Professional Studies | ||
Select 3-4 credits from: | ||
| Introduction to Probability | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Mathematics for Elementary Education I | ||
| Principles of Statistics | ||
Humanities: 6 credits. Coursework designed to assist students to develop an understanding of human cultural heritage and history, and an appreciation of reasoning and the aesthetic value of human creativity.
Note: Courses meeting International Perspectives requirements are marked with an *. Additional courses may be found in departments listed with a double **.
| AESHM 3420 | Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | 3 |
| AFAM 2010 | Introduction to African American Studies | 3 |
| AFAM 3340 | Africana Religions | 3 |
| AFAM 3470 | African American Literature | 3 |
| AFAM 3530 | History of African Americans I | 3 |
| AFAM 3540 | History of African Americans II | 3 |
| FDM 3540 | Fashion History I: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | 3 |
| FDM 3560 | Fashion History II: Mid-19th Century to the Present | 3 |
| AMIN 2100 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| AMIN 2400 | Introduction to American Indian Literature | 3 |
| AMIN 3460 | American Indian Literature | 3 |
| ARCH 2210 | Histories and Theories of Architecture to 1750 * | 3 |
| ARCH 4200 | Topics in American Architecture | 3 |
| Art History (ARTH) ** | ||
| American Sign Language (ASL) | ||
| Classical Studies (CLST) ** | ||
| DANCE 2700 | Dance Appreciation | 3 |
| DANCE 3600 | History and Philosophy of Dance | 3 |
| ENGL 2010 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 2250 | Survey of British Literature to 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 2260 | Survey of British Literature since 1800 | 3 |
| ENGL 2270 | Survey of American Literature to 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 2280 | Survey of American Literature since 1865 | 3 |
| ENGL 2400 | Introduction to American Indian Literature | 3 |
| HDFS 2400 | Children’s Literature | 3 |
| History (HIST) ** | ||
| HSPM 2600 | Global Tourism Management * | 3 |
| MUSIC 1020 | Introduction to Music Listening * | 3 |
| MUSIC 3020 | Masterpieces of Music and Art in Western Culture | 3 |
| MUSIC 3040 | History of American Rock 'n' Roll | 3 |
| MUSIC 3830 | History of Music I * | 3 |
| MUSIC 3840 | History of Music II * | 3 |
| Philosophy (PHIL) | ||
| Religious Studies (RELIG) ** | ||
| THTRE 1060 | Introduction to the Performing Arts | 3 |
| THTRE 1100 | Theatre and Society | 3 |
| WGS 2010 | Introduction to Women's and Gender Studies | 3 |
| WGS 3360 | Religion, Sex and Gender | 3 |
| WGS 3380 | Feminist Philosophy | 3 |
| WGS 3450 | Women's Literature | 3 |
| WGS 3700F | Studies in English Translation: French Topics on Women and Gender Studies * | 3 |
| or WGS 3700G | Studies in English Translation: German Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| or WGS 3700R | Studies in English Translation: Russian Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| or WGS 3700S | Studies in English Translation: Hispanic Topics on Women or Feminism | |
| WGS 3740 | Sex, Gender, and Culture in the Ancient Mediterranean World * | 3 |
| WGS 3850 | Women in Politics | 3 |
| WGS 3860 | History of Women in America | 3 |
| World Languages and Cultures (ARABC, CHIN, FRNCH, GER, GREEK, RUS, SPAN) ** | ||
Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies, B.S.-teacher licensure option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 1100 or 1110 | 1 | HDFS 2760 | 3 |
| HDFS 1020 | 3 | HDFS 2830 | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | FCEDS 2060 | 2 |
| EDUC 2040 | 3 | MATH or STAT Course from approved FCEDS list | 3 |
| RELIG 2050 (Humanities course) | AESHM 4210, FSHN 3420, PSYCH 1010, or SOC 1340 | 3 | |
| FCEDS 2060 | 2 | EDUC 2190 | 1 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FCEDS 3060 | 4 | CHEM 1600 | 3 |
| EDUC 2020 | 3 | HDFS 2240 or 2490 | 3 |
| BIOL 1010 or 1550 | 3 | HDFS 2240L | 1 |
| COMST 2110, 2140, 2180, SPCM 2120, or SPCM 3120 | 3 | FSHN 1150 | 1 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | FSHN 1010 or 2420 | 3 |
| Apply to Educator Preparation program | |||
| FCEDS 3980 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PSYCH 3330 | 3 | FCEDS 3980 | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | FDM 1200 | 1 |
| Communications from list | 3 | SPED 4010 | 3 |
| FDM 1310 | 3 | FCEDS 4800V | 2 |
| FCEDS 3250 | 3 | Elective | 5-6 |
| FCEDS 3800V | 1-2 | ||
| 16-17 | 14-15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Elective | 6-7 | FCEDS 4170A | 8 |
| EDUC 4060 | 3 | FCEDS 4170B | 8 |
| EDUC 4260 | 3 | PRAXIS II in content & pedagogy to be taken prior to license approval | |
| 12-13 | 16 | ||
U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in Family and Consumer Sciences Education fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities by taking HDFS 2760 and the International Perspectives Requirement by taking FSHN 3420.
Note: This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student's situation. Factors that may affect credit hours per semester include student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point consideration.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies, B.S.-communications option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 1100 or 1110 | 1 | CHEM 1600 or 1630 | 3-4 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | CHEM 1630L (if taking CHEM 1630) | |
| Humanities | 3 | FCEDS 2060 | 2 |
| HDFS 1020 | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | HDFS 2830 or 2390 | 3 |
| HSPM 1010 | 3 | HDFS 2760 | 3 |
| 14 | 14-15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FCEDS 3060 | 4 | PR 3050 | 3 |
| AESHM 2870 | 3 | HDFS 2240 | 3 |
| FSHN 1010 (or FSHN 2420 or FSHN 1150) | 3 | HDFS 2240L | 1 |
| BIOL 1010 or 1550 | 3 | HDFS 3670 ( or HDFS 3770 or HS 1100) | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | Math or Stat from approved list | 3-4 |
| Communications from list | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16-17 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 3670 | 3 | ENGL 3130 (or ENGL 3140, ENGL 3320, ENGL 4150, or ENGL 4160) | 3 |
| FCEDS 3250 | 3 | HDFS 3860 | 3 |
| HDFS 2700 (or COMST 2140 or COMST 3140) | 3 | PR 2200 | 3 |
| HDFS 3690 | 3 | JLMC 4760 (or JLMC 4770, JLMC 4620) | 3 |
| Social Sciences from approved list | 3 | HDFS 3950 | 3 |
| HDFS 2270 or HDFS 2340 | 3 | ||
| HDFS 3690 | 3 | ||
| 21 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 4860 | 3 | FCEDS 4910A (3-6 credits) | 6 |
| HDFS 3950 | 3 | Electives (to equal 123 total credits) | 9-11 |
| HDFS 4200 | 3 | ||
| Electives | 9 | ||
| 18 | 15-17 | ||
U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in Family and Consumer Sciences Education fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities by taking HDFS 2760 and the International Perspectives Requirement by taking FSHN 3420.
Note: This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student's situation. Factors that may affect credit hours per semester include student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point consideration.
Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies, B.S.-professional studies option
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 1100 or 1110 | 1 | FCEDS 2060 | 2 |
| RELIG 2050 | 3 | Humanities | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | MATH or STAT Course from approved FCEDS list | 3 |
| HDFS 1020 | 3 | CHEM 1600 (or CHEM 1630 with lab) | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | CHEM 1630L (if taking CHEM 1630) | |
| FCEDS 2060 | 2 | HDFS 2830 | 3 |
| FSHN 1010 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| FCEDS 3060 | 4 | COMST 2110, 2140, 2180, SPCM 2120, or SPCM 3120 | 3 |
| CHS Elective (300 level) | 3 | HDFS 2830 or 2390 | 3 |
| HDFS 2760 | 3 | HDFS 2490 or 2240 | 3 |
| BIOL 1010 or 1550 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | HDFS 3670 | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| AESHM 3420, PHIL 3400, or FDM 3620 | 3 | CHS Elective (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| HDFS 3690 | 3 | ECON 1010 | 3 |
| HDFS 3770 | 3 | HDFS 4860 | 3 |
| Select two from: | 6 | ENGL 3020, 3140, PR 2200, or PR 3050 | 3 |
| Humanities Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HDFS 4200 | 3 | FCEDS 4910B | 6 |
| HDFS 4860 | 3 | Electives to equal 123 total credits | 8 |
| Electives | 9 | CHS Elective (3000 level or above) | 3 |
| 15 | 17 | ||
U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirement: Students in Family and Consumer Sciences Education fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities by taking HDFS 2760 and the International Perspectives Requirement by taking FSHN 3420.
Note: This sequence is only an example. The number of credits taken each semester should be based on the individual student's situation. Factors that may affect credit hours per semester include student ability, employment, health, activities, and grade point consideration.
The Education Services in Family and Consumer Sciences minor may be earned by completing 15 credits
| HDFS 1020 | Human Development | 3 |
| FCEDS 2060 | Home Ec to Human Sciences: Legacy and Advocacy. | 2 |
| FCEDS 3060 | Teaching Human Sciences | 4 |
| FCEDS 4130 | Curriculum, Lab Management and Assessment for Family and Consumer Sciences | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Foundations of Career and Technical Education in Family and Consumer Sciences | ||
| Income Tax Planning | ||
| Housing and Services for Families and Children | ||
| Family Stress, Abuse, and Resilience | ||
| Death as a Part of Living | ||
| Children, Families, and Public Policy | ||