Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Consumer Services Management Specialization

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Coordinator/Contact

Wookjae Heo, Program Leader
Department of Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 425, Box 2275A
605-688-5196

Program Information

Students majoring in Consumer Affairs who pursue the Consumer Services Management specialization are usually interested in marketing, communication, human development, planning principles and working with individuals to develop personal management skills. Required courses for the Consumer Services Management specialization focus on the application of resource management concepts for families of varying structures, consumer rights and responsibilities, consumer behavior in making decisions, the impact of the marketplace on problem solving and implementation strategies for working with diverse audiences.

Completion of the Consumer Affairs major and Consumer Services Management specialization prepares students to engage in a variety of careers such as: management of non-profit organizations, management of retail businesses, Extension, credit/financial counseling, human resources, marketing and sales.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will apply the consumer decision-making process to improve consumer well-being.
Students will demonstrate effective resource management skills. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
Students will integrate knowledge of policy and community resources to solve consumer issues. (Cross-curricular Skill: Information Literacy; Problem Solving)
Students will increase knowledge, awareness, and understanding of individual and social differences in consumer behavior. (Cross-curricular Skill: Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Academic Requirements

A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses with a CA prefix. An 8-week full time internship is a requirement that is usually completed during the summer between the Junior and Senior year.

Course Delivery Format

Students learn through lecture, laboratory, and hands-on learning experiences.

Requirements for Consumer Affairs Major - Consumer Services Management Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3  and
PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
  or
SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 114 - College Algebra (COM) [SGR #5] Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements

EHS 119 - EHS Seminar Credits: 2
EHS 319 - Life, Love, and Money Credits: 2

Consumer Sciences Department Requirements

CS / FSRM 282 - Customer Service Credits: 3
CS 377 - Professional Documents Credits: 1
CS / FSRM 381 - Professional Behavior at Work Credits: 3
LDR 210 - Foundations of Leadership Credits: 3
LDR 435 - Organizational Leadership and Team Development Credits: 3

Major Requirements

CA 150 - Introduction to Consumer Affairs Credits: 2
CA 230 - Consumer Behavior Credits: 3
CA 289 - Consumers in the Market Credits: 3
CA 340 - Work Family Interface Credits: 3
CA 345 - Foundations in Financial Management Credits: 3
CA 360-360L - Quantitative Research Methods in Consumer Affairs and Lab Credits: 4
CA 412 - Consumer Policy Analysis Credits: 2
CA 430 - Consumer Decision Making Credits: 3
CA 487 - Transition to the Professional World Credits: 2
CA 494 - Internship Credits: 3
HDFS 241 - Family Relations Credits: 3

Consumer Services Management Specialization Requirements

BLAW 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM) Credits: 3
CA 321 - Consumer Needs and Program Funding Credits: 3
CA 442 - Family Resource Management Lab Credits: 3
EFA / HMGT 355 - Events and Facilities Administration Credits: 3
MGMT 360 - Organization and Management (COM) Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements	4 Credit Hours
Department of Consumer Sciences Requirements	13 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	46 Credit Hours
Electives**	27 Credit Hours

**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.