Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies

200 | 300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

(Administrated by the Department of Apparel, Educational Studies and Hospitality Management.)

Mary B. Gregoire, Chair of Department
Distinguished Professors (Emeritus): Fanslow
Professors (Emeritus): Beavers, Cowan
Associate Professors: Gentzler, Hausafus
Assistant Professors: Keino
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Kruempel

Undergraduate Study

The program offers one curriculum for the bachelor of science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies. Students in the curriculum choose one of three options, Teacher Licensure, Educational Services, or Professional Studies. Graduates of the teacher licensure option teach in general, vocational, and occupational programs of family and consumer sciences in middle, junior, and senior high schools. Graduates of the Educational Services option develop, implement, and evaluate family and consumer sciences programs for intended audiences in a variety of educational settings such as Cooperative Extension, business, community agencies, community colleges, and public school adult education. Graduates of the Professional Studies option pursue individualized career goals in family and consumer sciences that apply integrative knowledge of family and consumer sciences in diverse careers for global settings.

Admission to all three options is initiated in the course FCEdS 206. In addition, students in Teacher Licensure follow program and university procedures for admission to the university teacher education program. This program option is approved by the Iowa Department of Education for the preparation of vocational family and consumer sciences teachers. Every teacher licensure student must meet the performance outcome standards for teacher licensure. Designated performance indicators (DPIs) for these standards will be assessed in all required Curriculum and Instruction (C I) courses and FCEdS 206, 306, 403, 413, and 417.For additional teacher education requirements, see Teacher Education.

Graduates in Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies have a broad understanding of individual and family well-being. Graduates apply knowledge of family and consumer sciences content in global professional settings. They use research findings to improve the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Due to the integrative and synergistic nature of family and consumer sciences, graduates address and act on complex problems confronting individuals, families, and communities.

Opportunities are available for obtaining a minor from other programs through careful selection of elective credits and consultation with an adviser. For example, students pursuing the Educational Services and Professional Studies options are encouraged to consider obtaining a minor in journalism and mass communications or in one of the subject matter areas of family and consumer sciences such as family finance, housing, and policy. They also are encouraged to enhance their program by electing additional courses in an area of business. Students in the Teacher Licensure option may choose to add an additional endorsement such as health education or coaching.

The program offers a minor in educational services in family and consumer sciences. The minor is earned by successfully completing 15 credits in FCEdS 206, 306, 415, and 418. See program for details.

English Proficiency Requirement: C or better in Engl 104 and 105.

Graduate Study

The program offers work for the degrees master of science, master of education, and doctor of philosophy, each with the major, family and consumer sciences education. The M.S. degree requires a thesis; the M.Ed. degree requires a creative component; the Ph.D. requires a dissertation. Minors are available.

Programs for advanced degrees with a major in family and consumer sciences education are tailored to fit the educational background, experience, and professional goals of the student. Areas of study provided by the department include program planning, curriculum, evaluation, research methods, supervision and administration, international education and development, and teacher education. Opportunities are available for strengthening one's background in subject matter in other programs in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Students who complete a graduate program are professional family and consumer sciences educators and teacher educators who foster program planning, implementation, and evaluation at state, national, and international levels. They are producers and disseminators of research and scholarship in family and consumer sciences education and are leaders in programs and services for clientele in diverse settings.

The program cooperates in the gerontology interdepartmental minor.

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 415.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

FCEdS 110. College of Family and Consumer Sciences Orientation. (1-0) Cr. .5 to 1. F.S. Orientation to the university, the college, and the college curricula. Adjustment to the university; discussion of student responsibilities; interpersonal, critical thinking, and study skills; and management of time and energy. Development of a long-term curriculum plan. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

FCEdS 160. Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences. (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Historical development and philosophical base of family and consumer sciences. Integrative focus for disciplines and areas of specialization.

FCEdS 206. Professional Roles in Family and Consumer Sciences. (2-3) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 160 or concurrent enrollment. Introduction to various roles in professional settings, e.g., community agencies, secondary schools, business and industry, Cooperative Extension. Observation, participation, and teaching experienes in educational settings.

FCEdS 306. Educational Principles for Family and Consumer Sciences. (2-2) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 15 credits in family and consumer sciences subject matter. Principles of teaching and learning applied to family and consumer sciences content. Instructional methods appropriate for formal and nonformal educational settings. Specific strategies for diverse audiences. May be used for family life certification.

FCEdS 318. Occupational, Career and Technical Programs. (Dual-listed with 518.) (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 206 and 400 hours work experience in a family and consumer sciences related job. Planning and implementing programs in occupational family and consumer sciences including FCCLA. Impact of selected legislation on family and consumer sciences programs. Techniques for cooperative education, school-to-work, and work-based education programs. May be used toward Multi- Occupation Cooperative endorsement.

FCEdS 379. Educational Aspects of Family and Comsumer Social Issues. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Examination of family and consumer social issues from diverse perspectives. Application of critical thinking and reflection to family and social issues within formal and nonformal educational settings.

FCEdS 403. Student Assessment for Vocational Family and Consumer Sciences. (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Enrollment in 413. Philosophy of student assessment. Development and critique of tests and authentic assessment tools to measure cognitive, affective, psychomotor, and perceptual learning. Procedures for grading, interpreting, and reporting assessment data. Includes 40 hours of experience in public school setting.

FCEdS 413. Curriculum Planning for Family Life and Vocational Family and Consumer Sciences. (2-3) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 306. Philosophy of vocational education. Curriculum development in family and consumer sciences programs for school settings. Accommodating exceptional learners. May be used for family life certification.

FCEdS 415. Program Planning and Evaluation in Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 15 credits in Family and Consumer Sciences subject matter. Program development principles including needs analysis, planning, instruction, promotion, evaluation, grant writing and reporting. Approaches appropriate for diverse groups. Environmental and cultural conditions affecting programs. Nonmajor graduate credit.

FCEdS 417. Supervised Teaching in Family and Consumer Sciences. F. Prereq: 413, 24 credits in family and consumer sciences subject matter, cumulative grade point of 2.50, full admission to teacher education. Supervised teaching experience in secondary schools. Examination of ways to implement actions that reflect a professional philosophy of family and consumer sciences for teaching middle and high school level students. May be taken more than once for credit. Reservation required.
A. Vocational family and consumer sciences. Cr. 8.
B. Family and consumer sciences. Cr. 3 to 8.

FCEdS 418. Supervised Experiences in a Professional Setting. Cr. 3 to 8. F.S.SS. Supervised professional experience in an approved setting such as Cooperative Extension, business; community, human service, or government agency. May be taken more than once for credit. Reservation required.
A. Educational Services. Prereq: 415, 24 credits in family and consumer sciences.
B. General Studies. Prereq: 421, 24 credits in family and consumer sciences.

FCEdS 421. International Perspectives of Family and Consumer Sciences. (Dual-listed with 521.) (3- 0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences. Examination of family and consumer sciences from an international perspective; focus on the roles and responsibilities of women in development. Application and adaptation of content to working with families in other countries and cultures. Student participation in cultural activities.

FCEdS 424. International Study Abroad Seminar. (Dual-listed with 524.) Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Orientation
to study abroad program considering topics related to country and location; travel arrangements and preparation for study abroad; on-site fieldwork and academic experiences in an international setting.

FCEdS 460. Integrative Approaches in Family and Consumer Sciences. (1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: 160, senior classification in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Seminar on ways professionals work across disciplines to address contemporary social issues that affect individuals and families. Methods to initiate public policy at the local, national, and international levels. Transition from student to professional role.

FCEdS 490. Independent Study. Cr. arr. Prereq: Departmental approval.
A. Adult Education
C. Curriculum
D. Evaluation
E. Cooperative Extension
G. General
H. Honors
I. International
K. Occupational Education
N. Human Relations
P. Special Needs/Mainstreaming
R. Vocational Education
S. Distance Education

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

FCEdS 500. Short Course: Current Family and Consumer Sciences Offerings. Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences or education. May be taken more than once for credit.
A. Adult Education
B. Supervision and Administration
C. Curriculum
D. Evaluation
E. Teacher Education
F. Occupational, Career and Technical Education
G. General
H. Research Methodology
I. International Education
J. Middle Level Education

FCEdS 501. Trends, Issues and Public Policy. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2005; Alt. SS., offered 2006. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences or education. Discussion of current topics affecting the family and consumer sciences profession.

FCEdS 504. Intellectual Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences Leadership. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. Exposure to a variety of selected readings that provide an intellectual foundation and framework for the family and consumer sciences profession. Connects the historical and philosophical structure of the profession with perspectives leading to innovative professional action.

FCEdS 507. Program Development in Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2006; Alt. SS., offered 2007. Prereq: Professional experience in family and consumer sciences or related area. Application of principles of program development to formal and nonformal educational settings, e.g., secondary school family and consumer sciences programs, training positions in business, Cooperative Extension, human services agencies.

FCEdS 508. Models for Teaching Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences. Selecting teaching strategies and instructional materials based on theories of learning and human development that reflect a professional philosophy of family and consumer sciences. Application to formal and nonformal educational settings with diverse audiences.

FCEdS 511. Research Methods. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Graduate classification. An overview of diverse research approaches focusing on methods for collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. Critique of research reports and development of research proposals.

FCEdS 515. Assessment in Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. Prereq: Introductory statistical and program development skills. Role of assessment in family and consumer sciences education programs. Planning and constructing test items and other assessments of school and nonschool learning.

FCEdS 518. Occupational, Career and Technical Programs. (Dual-listed with 318.) (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 400 hours work experience in a family and consumer sciences related job. Planning and implementing programs in occupational family and consumer sciences including FCCLA. Impact of selected legislation on family and consumer sciences programs. Techniques for cooperative education, school-to-work, and work-based education programs. Critique of national occupational competency standards. May be used toward Multi-Occupation Cooperative endorsement.

FCEdS 520. Supervision in Family and Consumer Sciences Programs. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2005. Prereq: Professional experience or 6 credits in family and consumer sciences. Examination of change, communication and leadership theories as related to supervision. Application of conferencing techniques, observation skills, and performance evaluation to professional leadership positions in educational settings.

FCEdS 521. International Perspectives of Family and Consumer Sciences. (Dual-listed with 421.) (3- 0) Cr. 3. S.; Alt. SS., offered 2007. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences. Examination of family and consumer sciences from an international perspective; focus on the roles and responsibilities of women in development. Application and adaptation of content to working with families in other countries and cultures. Student participation in cultural activities and critique of international research articles.

FCEdS 524. International Study Abroad Seminar. (Dual-listed with 424.) Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Orientation to study abroad program considering topics related to country and location; travel arrangements and preparation for study abroad; on-site fieldwork and academic experiences in an international setting. Individually-developed research project on a topic related to study abroad.

FCEdS 579. Educational and Critical Science Perspectives of Family and Consumer Issues. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. SS., offered 2006. Prereq: Graduate classification. Examination of social issues within a family and community context from a critical science perspective. Application of critical thinking, diverse perspectives, and reflection to family and social issues. Analysis of family and consumer sciences philosophy, theory, and research to current social issues.

FCEdS 590. Special Topics. Cr. arr. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences or education. A. Adult Education
B. Administration
C. Curriculum
D. Evaluation
E. Teacher Education
F. Occupational, Career and Technical Education
G. General
H. Research Methodology
I. International Education
J. Educational Gerontology
K. Human Relations
L. Special Needs
M. Family Life Education
N. Human Sexuality
O. Technology
P. Supervision
Q. Family/Individual Health
R. Consumer Education
S. Distance Education
T. Professional Communications

FCEdS 593. Workshop. Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 6 credits in family and consumer sciences or education. Concentrated group study of new developments in family and consumer sciences education. Sections offered will vary from year to year. May be taken more than once for credit.

FCEdS 599. Creative Component.

Courses for Graduate students

FCEdS 607. Curriculum Theory and Philosophy in Family and Consumer Sciences. Prereq: 507 or curriculum development experience. Integration of philosophies of education and family and consumer sciences into an operative philosophy of curriculum development. Study of various curriculum theories and approaches to curriculum development.

FCEdS 610. Seminar. Cr. 1. F.S.SS. Prereq: Graduate classification. Exploration of trends and issues in the profession. May be taken more than once for credit. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

FCEdS 611. Program Evaluation in Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. SS., offered 2006. Prereq: 511, 515. Application of program evaluation approaches and models to family and consumer sciences programs. Standards for program evaluation.

FCEdS 618. Coordination of Educational Programs in Family and Consumer Sciences. Cr. 2. Alt. SS., offered 2006. Prereq: 520. Approaches to coordination of family and consumer sciences programs in adult education, extension, state department of education, and teacher education. Study of undergraduate programs in family and consumer sciences education, observation and participation in undergraduate courses, and practicum experience.

FCEdS 620. Theories of Administration in Family and Consumer Sciences. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. SS., offered 2006. Prereq: Professional Experience. Review of administrative theory; application to family and consumer sciences programs with emphasis on higher education. Administrative leadership roles, and their interrelationships. Consideration of current issues.

FCEdS 699. Research.