Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Chair and Associate Professor: N. Roofe (PhD), 450-5950
Associate Professor: A. Landry (PhD), J. Mayo (PhD)
Assistant Professor: K. Carroll (PhD)
Clinical Instructor: K. Faulkner (MS), M. Garcia (MS), R. Luong (MS), L. Meeks (MS), R. Schichtl (MS), J. Whitehead (MS)

[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 Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers three areas of specialization at the baccalaureate level (Bachelor of Arts [BA] or Bachelor of Science [BS]). The student may select a specialization in interior design (BA or BS); dietetics/nutrition (BS) with a degree in Dietetics, Community Nutrition, or Nutrition Science; or general family and consumer sciences (BS). Licensure for teaching family and consumer sciences in secondary schools is earned with the BSE degree.

At the graduate level, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers the Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and in Nutrition (see the Graduate Bulletin for information about these programs). The graduate student may select the thesis or non-thesis option. The undergraduate dietetic program and the post-baccalaureate dietetic internship program are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

[2] Honors in Family and Consumer Sciences

[Jump to Recognition of Academic Achievement for general information about Honors in the Majors.]

Junior and senior students majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences who demonstrate exceptional interest and ability and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 may be invited to enter the Honors in Family and Consumer Sciences program, designed to introduce research methods in an area of specialization in family and consumer sciences. In addition to the planned curriculum, the student will enroll in FACS 4301 and 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.

To jump directly to a particular program of study, use these links:

Nutrition/Dietetics: BS, Nutrition | BS, Community Nutrition | BS, Nutrition Science | Dietetic Internship
Interior Design: BS, Interior Design | BA, Interior Design
Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS): BS, FACS | BSE, FACS Education | Minor, FACS

[3] Baccalaureate Degree Programs

Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program

[3.1] Bachelor of Science

The degree of Bachelor of Science, with a major in family and consumer sciences, nutrition (dietetics, community nutrition, or nutrition science), 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) program/major requirements; and (4) supporting requirements. No minor is required.

Family and Consumer Sciences or Nutrition core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirements in Responsible Living. Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition, and Interior Design courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Critical Inquiry, Communication, Diversity, and Responsible Living. To fulfill the UCA Core Capstone requirement, students seeking a degree in Dietetics will take NUTR 4335 Nutrition Senior Seminar; those seeking a degree in Community Nutrition will complete NUTR 3351 Community Nutrition Practicum (pending course approval); those seeking a degree in Nutrition Science or in general Family and Consumer Sciences will complete FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Students seeking a degree in Interior Design will complete IDSN 4305 Advanced Interior Design Studio as the required Core Capstone.

[3.1.1] Dietetics

[Back to program-of-study links]

Students who elect to complete the BS in Dietetics will be issued a verification statement and can apply for Dietetic Internships or apply for the Dietetic Technician Registered exam. Students will also have a ServSafe Certification and will be well prepared for graduate school.

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

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (800) 877-1600 x5400
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website: https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Major requirements (61 hours):

NUTR 1100 Introduction to the Dietetics Profession
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
NUTR 3350 Community Nutrition
NUTR 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition I
NUTR 3371 Nutrition Counseling
NUTR 3375 Lifecycle Nutrition II
NUTR 3380 Food Economics
NUTR 3390 Nutrition and Metabolism
NUTR 4301 Research in Family and Consumer Sciences/Nutrition
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 4321 Nutritional Services Administration
NUTR 4325 Medical Nutrition Therapy I
NUTR 4335 Nutrition Senior Seminar [UD UCA Core: Z]
NUTR 4351 Experimental Food Science
NUTR 4374 Medical Nutrition Therapy II
NUTR 4395 Nutrition: Contemporary Issues [UD UCA Core: D]
FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3372 Personal and Family Finance [UD UCA Core: I, R]

Supporting requirements to meet the academic requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (27 hours):

PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics (or another approved introductory statistics course)
FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education [UD UCA Core: Z]
CHEM 1402 General Chemistry for Health Sciences
CHEM 2450 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry
BIOL 3406 Structure and Function of the Human Body I
BIOL 3407 Structure and Function of the Human Body II
BIOL 2411 Microbiology in Human Affairs [ACTS: BIOL2004] or substitute courses approved by department chair.

This program does not require a minor.

Eligibility to take the registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration requires the BS degree plus completion of an approved internship (see § 4, below). Contact the department chair for further information.

[3.1.2] Community Nutrition

[Back to program-of-study links]

The BS in Community Nutrition program affords its graduates the skills needed to work in various employment positions including Department of Health and Human Services (Women, Infants, and Children program), Child Nutrition programs in public schools, Cooperative Extensions, corporate wellness programs, entrepreneurship, nonprofit feeding programs such as The Hunger Relief Alliance, as well as others. Students will be able to take the exam for the ServSafe Certification and will be prepared to go to graduate school. Students who elect a BS in Community Nutrition will not be awarded a verification statement to make them eligible to apply for a dietetic internship. If the student decides at a later date to apply for an internship, classes like Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and the DPD requirements of Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II (as well as others) will be required.

Major requirements (59 hours):

FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3318 Parenting Issues
FACS 3372 Personal & Family Finance [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
NUTR 1100 Introduction to the Dietetics Profession
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
NUTR 3350 Community Nutrition
NUTR 3351 Community Nutrition Practicum [UD UCA Core: Z] (pending course approval)
NUTR 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition I
NUTR 3371 Nutrition Counseling
NUTR 3375 Lifecycle Nutrition II
NUTR 3380 Food Economics
NUTR 4301 Research in Family and Consumer Sciences/Nutrition
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 4321 Nutritional Services Administration
NUTR 4395 Nutrition: Contemporary Issues [UD UCA Core: D]

Additional degree requirements (11 hours):

BIOL 2405 Human Anatomy and Physiology
BIOL 2411 Microbiology in Human Affairs [ACTS: BIOL2004]
PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics (or another approved introductory statistics course)

This program does not require a minor.

Eligibility to take the registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration requires the BS degree plus completion of an approved internship (see § 4, below). Contact the department chair for further information.

[3.1.3] Nutrition Science

[Back to program-of-study links]

Students who elect the BS in Nutrition Science will be eligible for application into professional degree programs such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and others. They also will be qualified to apply for lab technician and research jobs at various institutions (e.g., Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute).

Major requirements (45 hours):

FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3372 Personal and Family Finance [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education UD UCA Core: Z]
FACS 3173 Special Problems
NUTR 1100 Introduction to the Dietetics Profession
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
NUTR 3350 Community Nutrition
NUTR 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition I
NUTR 3375 Lifecycle Nutrition II
NUTR 3390 Nutrition and Metabolism
NUTR 4301 Research in Family and Consumer Sciences/Nutrition
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 4395 Nutrition: Contemporary Issues [UD UCA Core: D]

Additional degree requirements (28 hours)

BIOL 2411 Microbiology in Human Affairs [ACTS: BIOL2004]
BIOL Elective above BIOL 1440 (not Botany) [Note 1]
BIOL 3406 Structure and Function of the Human Body I
BIOL 3407 Structure and Function of the Human Body II
PHYS 1410 College Physics 1 [ACTS: PHSC2014] [Note 1]
PHYS 1420 College Physics 2 [ACTS: PHSC2024] [Note 1]
CHEM 2450 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry [ACTS: CHEM1224]

Supporting requirements (7 hours)

H SC 3123 Medical Terminology
PSYC 4320 Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics (or another approved introductory statistics course)

Note 1

Students intending to apply to a graduate program in Occupational Therapy may choose an elective based on graduate program prerequisites.

[3.1.4] Interior Design

[Back to program-of-study links]

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

Council for Interior Design Accreditation
206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4014Telephone: (616) 458-0400
Fax: (616) 458-0460
Email: info@accredit-id.org
NASAD
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248Telephone: (703) 437-0700
Fax: (703) 437-6312
Email: info@arts-accredit.org

Major requirements (60 hours):

IDSN1390 Introduction to Interior Design
IDSN 2330 Digital Design
IDSN 2365 Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting
IDSN 2391 Interior Design Studio
IDSN 2392 Interior Design Drawing and Rendering
IDSN 3300 Principles of Architecture and Building Systems
IDSN 3305 Interior Lighting and Codes
IDSN 3310 Design Communication
IDSN 3315 Residential Interior Design
IDSN 3320 Advanced Technology for Interior Architecture
IDSN 3325 Commercial Interior Design I
IDSN 3326 Commercial Interior Design II
IDSN 3340 History of Interiors, Architecture, and Furniture I [UD UCA Core: D, C]
IDSN 3341 History of Interiors, Architecture, and Furniture II [UD UCA Core: D, C]
IDSN 3355 Introduction to Historic Preservation [UD UCA Core: I, R] or substitute courses approved by department chair
IDSN 3360 Methods in Interior Architecture
IDSN 4300 Professional Practice for Interior Design
IDSN 4305 Advanced Interior Design Studio [UD UCA Core: Z]
IDSN 4350 Internship
IDSN 2360 Textiles
Grade of “C” or better required in these courses.

Supporting requirements (6 hours):

ART 1310 2-D Design
ART 2312 3-D Design

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

[Back to program-of-study links]

Major Requirements (25 hours):

FACS 2341 Lifespan Development or FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3318 Parenting Issues
FACS 3372 Personal and Family Finance [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education [UD UCA Core: Z]
FACS 4316 Women in Poverty [UD UCA Core: D]
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 3350 Community Nutrition

Major Electives (18 hours, choose from the following):

FACS 1370 Interior and Apparel Construction I
FACS 3360 Consumer Problems in Clothing
FACS 3361 Interior and Apparel Construction II
FACS 4317 Advanced Personal & Family Finance
FACS 4355 Curriculum Development
FACS 4600 Internship
IDSN 1390 Introduction to Interior Design
IDSN 2330 Digital Design
IDSN 2360 Textiles
IDSN 3300 Principles of Architecture and Building Systems
IDSN 3340 History of Interior, Architecture, and Furniture I [UD UCA Core: D, C]
IDSN 3341 History of Interior, Architecture, and Furniture II [UD UCA Core: D, C]
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
NUTR 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition
NUTR 3380 Food Economics
NUTR 4301 Research in Family and Consumer Sciences
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 4321 Nutritional Services Administration
NUTR 4395 Nutrition: Contemporary Issues [UD UCA Core: D]

[3.2] Bachelor of Science in Education

[Back to program-of-study links]

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, including the minor in Teaching and Learning.

Nutrition or Family and Consumer Sciences Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Responsible Living and the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Critical Inquiry, Communication, Diversity and Responsible Living. Students with a Family and Consumer Sciences Education degree will take FACS 4680 and 4682 Internship II as the required UCA Core Capstone.

[3.2.1] Family and Consumer Sciences

Major requirements:

NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
IDSN 1390 Introduction to Interior Design
IDSN 3300 Principles of Architecture and Building Systems
FACS 1370 Interior and Apparel Construction I
FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3318 Parenting Issues
FACS 3360 Consumer Problems in Clothing
FACS 3361 Interior and Apparel Construction II
FACS 3372 Personal and Family Finances [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FACS 3456 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Professional Education course work:

Professional Education course work includes the minor in Teaching and Learning, the content methods course, and the intense internship experience. For information about teacher education Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements, see the College of Education page in this bulletin.

Minor in Teaching and Learning:

EDUC 1300 Education as a Profession
Computer Competency Test or course equivalent
MSIT 3310 Development and Learning [UD UCA Core: D, R]
MSIT 4325 Strategies for Content Literacy Development
EDUC 3322 Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings
MSIT 4305 Classroom and Behavioral Management
MSIT 4321 Classroom Assessment
EDUC 4210 Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning

Content methods course:

FACS 4355 Curriculum Development in Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Intense internship experience:

FACS 4350 Internship I (Practicum)
FACS 4680 and 4681 Internship II (Directed Teaching) [UD UCA Core: Z]

[3.3] Bachelor of Arts

[Back to program-of-study links]

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) special degree requirements (foreign language); (3) family and consumer sciences requirements; (4) interior design requirements; and (5) supporting requirements. No minor is required.

Family and Consumer Sciences or Nutrition Core courses are used to satisfy the lower-division UCA Core requirement in Responsible Living. Family and Consumer Sciences and Interior Design courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Critical Inquiry, Communication, Diversity and Responsible Living. Students with a degree in Interior Design will take IDSN 4305 Advanced Interior Design Studio as the required UCA Core Capstone.

[3.3.1] Interior Design

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

Council for Interior Design Accreditation
206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4014Telephone: (616) 458-0400
Fax: (616) 458-0460
Email: info@accredit-id.org
NASAD
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190-5248Telephone: (703) 437-0700
Fax: (703) 437-6312
Email: info@arts-accredit.org

Major requirements (60 hours):

IDSN 1390 Introduction to Interior Design
IDSN 2330 Digital Design
IDSN 2360 Textiles
IDSN 2365 Introduction to Computer-Aided Drafting
IDSN 2391 Interior Design Studio
IDSN 2392 Interior Design Drawing and Rendering
IDSN 3300 Principles of Architecture and Building Systems
IDSN 3305 Interior Lighting and Codes
IDSN 3310 Design Communication
IDSN 3315 Residential Interior Design
IDSN 3320 Advanced Technology for Interior Architecture
IDSN 3325 Commercial Interior Design I
IDSN 3326 Commercial Interior Design II
IDSN 3340 History of Interiors, Architecture, and Furniture I [UD UCA Core: C, D]
IDSN 3341 History of Interiors, Architecture, and Furniture II [UD UCA Core: C, D]
IDSN 3355 Introduction to Historic Preservation [UD UCA Core: I, R] or substitute courses approved by department chair
IDSN 3360 Methods in Interior Architecture
IDSN 4300 Professional Practice for Interior Design
IDSN 4305 Advanced Interior Design Studio [UD UCA Core: Z]
IDSN 4350 Internship Grade of “C” or better required in these courses

Supporting requirements (6 hours):

ART 1310 2-D Design
ART 2312 3-D Design

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

[Back to program-of-study links]

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

[Back to program-of-study links]

The dietetic internship is a supervised dietetic practice and study program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The dietetic internship meets performance requirements for eligibility to write the national registration exam, administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), to become a registered dietitian.  The dietetic internship is to be completed in 15 months. The first year includes instruction and practicum experiences in community nutrition and research food-service management. Instruction and practicum experiences during the second year includes clinical nutrition and clinical management. Practice sites include various community, wellness, and health care facilities in Arkansas.

Dietetic Internship Entrance Requirements:

  • Baccalaureate degree.
  • Verification statement of completion of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD)
  • Official transcript(s) of course work from all colleges and universities attended.
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Recommended GRE score of 300 (150 verbal, 150 quantitative) with 3.0 on writing.
  • Work experience in nutrition-related area.
  • Completed dietetic internship application. (See https://uca.edu/facs/programs/dietetic-internship/)

[5] Master’s Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Course Links

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

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

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