A family and consumer sciences program will cover six main areas: consumer and resource management, family and human development, fashion and textiles, child development, housing and interior design and nutrition and wellness. Other course work includes classes in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and education. The elective courses will depend on your specialization within the family and consumer sciences field.
There are four universities is Missouri that offer degree programs in family and consumer sciences. Programs are at Fontbonne university in St. Louis, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Central Missouri State University in Grimstead and University of Missouri in Columbia.
The family and consumer sciences originated from the home economics programs from the early 1900s. The coursework currently looks to provide skills and knowledge on specific quality indicators important in the family and consumer sciences. These skills include team work, team leading, cultural enrichment, communication, computer use, self directed learning, creative thinking, problem solving and public policy. In Missouri, there are specific quality indicators for each program and depending on the students focus several competencies or exams for each area must be passed to earn a degree.
A degree in family and consumer sciences prepares individuals for careers as a family and consumer science teacher at secondary schools, school administrator, education positions, 4-H coordinator, community aid positions, curriculum specialist, consumer educator for businesses, industry or government and day-care administrator. With additional graduate work career prospects expand to include recreation specialist, college teacher, graduate counselor, extension specialist and other government positions.