Consumer Affairs (B.S.) - Family Financial Management Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Axton Betz-Hamilton, Program Leader
School of Health and Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 425, Box 2275A
605-688-5161

Program Information

Students majoring in Consumer Affairs who pursue the Family Financial Management specialization are usually interested in financial markets, financial decision, economics, business concepts and working with individuals to develop personal financial management skills. Required courses for the Family Financial Management specialization focus on principles and practice of insurance planning, investment strategies, income tax planning, retirement preparation, and estate planning.

Completion of the Consumer Affairs major and Family Financial Management specialization prepares students to engage in a variety of careers such as: financial services, financial planning, 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.
Students will integrate knowledge of policy and community resources to solve consumer issues.
Students will increase knowledge, awareness, and understanding of individual and social differences in consumer behavior.

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. Students in the Financial Counseling and Planning Specialization cannot minor in Financial Counseling.

Course Delivery Format

Students learn through lecture, discussion, and hands-on learning experiences. Case studies are utilized to assist students in applying family financial planning strategies to individualized financial situations.

Requirements for Consumer Affairs Major - Family Financial Management Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science

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:
CMST 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

Major Requirements

BLAW 350 - Legal Environment of Business (COM) Credits: 3
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 (COM) Credits: 3
CS 282 - Customer Service Credits: 3
CS 377 - Professional Documents Credits: 1
CS 381 - Professional Behavior at Work Credits: 3
HDFS 241 - Family Relations Credits: 3
LDR 210 - Foundations of Leadership Credits: 3
LDR 435 - Organizational Leadership and Team Development Credits: 3

Financial Counseling and Planning Specialization Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
CA 350 - Family Financial Management I Credits: 3
CA 375 - Financial Counseling and Debt Management Credits: 3
CA 450 - Family Financial Management II Credits: 3
CA 460 - Financial Counseling Lab Credits: 3
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements	4 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	65 Credit Hours
Electives**	21 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.