Family and Consumer Sciences Education (B.S.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Nicole A. Graves, Associate Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 102
605-688-6484

Program Information

As a family and consumer sciences educator, the Family and Consumer Sciences Education graduate is qualified to teach content in a wide range of settings, including in middle and high schools, occupational training programs, adult programs, or to serve as an extension educator. The FCSE program prepares students with comprehensive subject matter background from all areas of family and consumer sciences, (human development, family studies, consumer affairs, apparel, housing, nutrition, hospitality, and personal finance) contributing to the versatility of the major. The program focuses on characteristics of various learners or clients, learning principles and different applications of the teaching-learning process.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Family and Consumer Sciences major students will:

• Analyze family, community, and work interrelationships; investigate career paths; examine family and consumer sciences careers; and apply career decision making and transitioning processes.
• Use resources responsibly to address the diverse needs and goals of individuals, families, and communities in family and consumer sciences areas such as resource management, consumer economics, financial literacy, living environments, and textiles and apparel.
• Apply principles of human development, interpersonal relationships, and family to strengthen individuals and families across the lifespan in contexts such as parenting, care giving, and the workplace.
• Promote nutrition, food, and wellness practices that enhance individual and family well- being across the lifespan and address related concerns in a global society.
• Develop, justify, and implement curricula that address perennial and evolving family, career, and community issues; reflect the integrative nature of family and consumer sciences; and integrate core academic areas.
• Facilitate students’ critical thinking and problem solving in family and consumer sciences through varied instructional strategies and technologies and through responsible management of resources in schools, communities, and the workplace.
• Create and implement a safe, supportive learning environment that shows sensitivity to diverse needs, values, and characteristics of students, families, and communities.
• Engage in ethical professional practice based on the history and philosophy of family and consumer sciences and career and technical education through civic engagement, advocacy, and ongoing professional development.
• Assess, evaluate, and improve student learning and programs in family and consumer sciences using appropriate criteria, standards, and processes.
• Integrate the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student organization into the program to foster students’ academic growth, application of family and consumer sciences content, leadership, service learning, and career development.
• The teacher candidate will foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well being.

Academic Requirements

• A grade of “C” or better is required in CMST 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 103  or higher (if these courses are in your plan of study), and all courses for the major (classes with school/program prefix).
• An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

• Completion of an approved bachelor’s Secondary preparation program.
• Completion of an approved Indian Studies course.
• Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
• Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
• Completion of a Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, available free online through the South Dakota Department of Education.
• Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
• Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

Coursework in the FCSE program is delivered using lectures, discussions, collaborative group work, inquiry-based projects, and applied learning in field experiences, practicums, and internships.