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Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Chair and Professor: Dr. Harlan, 450-5950
Associate Professor: Dr. Shock
Assistant Professors: Dr. Bennett, Dr. Roofe, Dr. Ryburn
Instructors: Dr. Bryan, Ms. Head, Ms. Poole, Ms. Whitehead

[1] Purposes

The family and consumer sciences programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels are designed to prepare professionals for employment in broad career options. Graduates are employed in business, education, healthcare facilities, industry, government, community agencies, and other organizations.

The focus of family and consumer sciences is on the individual, the family, and the interaction between families and their changing social and physical environments. The curriculum provides professional preparation built upon an interdisciplinary knowledge base drawn from research in family and consumer sciences; the arts; and the biological, physical, and social sciences.

The Bachelor of Science degree in family and consumer sciences has three options. The student may select a specialization in interior design, dietetics, or general family and consumer sciences. Licensure for teaching family and consumer sciences in secondary schools is earned with the BSE degree.

The Master of Science degree in family and consumer sciences has three specialization tracks including nutrition and foods; clothing, textiles, and fashion; and family and consumer sciences. The graduate student may select the thesis or non-thesis option. The undergraduate dietetic program and the graduate dietetic internship program are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Dietetic Association.

[2] The Honors Program in Family and Consumer Sciences

Junior and senior students majoring in family and consumer sciences who demonstrate exceptional interest and ability may be invited to enter the honors program. This program is designed to introduce the student to research methods in one of the specialization areas of family and consumer sciences. In addition to the planned curriculum, the student will enroll in FACS 4301 Research in Family and Consumer Sciences and will conduct an investigation of a topic approved by the instructor. The resulting research paper will be evaluated by at least three members of the FACS faculty.

[3] Baccalaureate Degree Programs

[3.1] Bachelor of Science

The degree of Bachelor of Science, with a major in family and consumer sciences, nutrition or interior design, requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; (3) family and consumer sciences requirements; and (4) supporting requirements. No minor is required.

[3.1.1] Nutrition (54 hours)

The Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at the University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Major requirements: NUTR 1300, 2310, 2311, 3350, 3370, 3380, 3390, 4301, 4315, 4321, 4325, 4335, 4351, 4374, 4395; and FACS 2341, 3311 and 3372.

Supporting requirements to meet the academic requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: PSYC 1300 and 2330; FACS 3456; CHEM 1402 and 2450; BIOL 2405 and 2411 or substitute courses approved by department chair. A minor is not required for the dietetics emphasis.

Eligibility to take the registration exam of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics requires the BS degree plus completion of an approved internship. Contact the department chair for further information.

[3.1.2] Interior Design (51 hours)

The Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA, formerly FIDER) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Major requirements (51 hours): IDSN 2390, 2391, 2392, 3300, 3305, 3315, 3325, 3335, 3340, 3341, 3365, 3375, 4305, 4320 and 4600, FACS 2360.  Grade of “C” or better required in these courses.

Select 2 courses (6 hours) from the following: NUTR 1300, FACS 1370, 2351, 3361, or 3372.

Supporting requirements (9 hours): ART 1310, 2312, IDSN 3350 or 3355 or substitute courses approved by department chair.

[3.1.3] General Family and Consumer Sciences (43 hours)

Major requirements: Students choose 43 hours from all available FACS, NUTR, and IDSN courses.  Choices include NUTR 1300, 2310, 2311, 3350, 3370, 3380, 4301, 4315, 4321, 4395; IDSN 2390, 3300, 3340, 3350, 3365, 3375; FACS 1370, 2341, 2351, 2360, 3311, 3318, 3360, 3361, 3372, 3456, 4355, 4600, or substitute courses approved by department chair.

[3.2] Bachelor of Science in Education

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Education, with a major in family and consumer sciences, requires successful completion of (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements; (3) family and consumer sciences requirements; and (4) supporting professional education requirements. No minor is required.

[3.2.1] Family and Consumer Sciences (43 hours)

Major requirements: NUTR 1300, 2310, 2311, IDSN 2390, 3300, FACS 1370, 2341, 2351, 2360, 3311, 3318, 3360 or 3361, 3372, 3456.

Supporting requirements (Professional Education, 38 hours): EDUC 1300; Computer Competency Test or EDUC 1240; EDUC 3322, EDUC 4210; MSIT 3310, 4305, 4321, 4325; FACS 4350, 4355, 4680, and 4681.

[3.3] Bachelor of Arts

The degree of Bachelor of Arts, requires successful completion of a minimum of 120 hours, including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using major, minor, or elective courses (see the UCA Core requirements); (2) degree requirements (foreign language); (3) family and consumer sciences requirements; (4) interior design requirements; and (5) supporting requirements. No minor is required.

[3.3.1] Interior Design (51 hours)

The Interior Design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA, formerly FIDER) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Major requirements (51 hours): IDSN 2390, 2391, 2392, 3300, 3305, 3315, 3325, 3335, 3340, 3341, 3365, 3375, 4305, 4320 and 4600, FACS 2360.  Grade of “C” or better required in these courses.

Select 2 courses (6 hours) from the following: NUTR 1300, FACS 1370, 2351, 3361, or 3372.

Supporting requirements (9 hours): ART 1310, 2312, IDSN 3350 or 3355.

[3.4] Minor in Family and Consumer Sciences (18 hours)

Eighteen hours of family and consumer sciences, nutrition or interior design courses, 3 hours of which must be upper-division, may be selected from various areas of family and consumer sciences and approved by the department chair. The minor is offered for students who desire family and consumer sciences for cultural and personal value or for supporting work for a related major.

[4] Dietetic Internship

The dietetic internship is a supervised dietetic practice and study program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation by the American Dietetics Association. The dietetic internship meets performance requirements for eligibility to write the ADA registration exam to become a registered dietitian. The internship is to be completed in two summers. The first year includes 12 weeks of instruction in community nutrition and administrative dietetics. Summer school during the second year includes 12 weeks in therapeutic nutrition. Practice sites include various health care facilities in the central Arkansas area.

Dietetic Internship Entrance Requirements:

  • Baccalaureate degree.
  • Statement of certification regarding completion of American Dietetic Association approved didactic program in dietetics.
  • Official transcript(s) of course work from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Work experience in nutrition-related area.
  • Completed dietetic internship application. (see internship application on department website Dietetic_Internship_Program_Application)

[5] Master’s Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

Course Links

[6.1] Nutrition and Food Sciences Courses (NUTR)

Follow this link for NUTR – Nutrition and Food Sciences course descriptions: course link.

[6.2] Textiles and Clothing Courses (FACS)

Follow this link for FACS – Textiles and Clothing course descriptions: course link.

[6.3] Child and Family Life Courses (FACS)

Follow this link for FACS – Child and Family Life course descriptions: course link.

[6.4] Consumer Education and Resource Management Courses (FACS)

Follow this link for FACS – Consumer Education and Resource Management course descriptions: course link.

[6.5] Family and Consumer Sciences Education (FACS)

Follow this link for FACS – Family and Consumer Sciences Education course descriptions: course link.

[6.6] General Courses

Follow this link for FACS – General course descriptions: course link.

[6.7] Interior Design Courses (IDSN)

Follow this link for IDSN – Interior Design course descriptions: course link.