Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences

Chair and Associate Professor: N. Roofe (PhD), 450-5950

Associate Professor: A. Landry (PhD), J. Mayo (PhD)

Assistant Professor: K. Carroll (PhD), J. Cupp (DHSc), K. Sartain (EdD), R. Schichtl (PhD)

Clinical Instructor: S. Alsbrook (MS), E. Bullington (MS), K. Faulkner (MS), R. Luong (MS), C. Massey (MS), L. Meek (MS)

[1] Purposes

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

The focus of nutrition and family sciences is on the individual, the family, their health and their community, 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; nutrition and wellness; economics; and the biological, physical, and social sciences.

The Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences offers five undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Family & Consumer Sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Family & Consumer Sciences, the BS in Dietetics, the BS in Community Nutrition, and the BS in Nutrition Sciences.

At the graduate level, the Department of Nutrition and Family Sciences offers the Master of Science (MS) degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, the MS in Nutrition and, within the MS in Nutrition, the Dietetics and Nutrition Therapy track. The undergraduate (BS) dietetic program and the program of study in Dietetics and Nutrition Therapy are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). The undergraduate (BSE) program in Family and Consumer Sciences Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

[2] Honors in Family and Consumer Sciences

Students who major in Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition or Dietetics and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

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

Dietetics/Nutrition: BS, Dietetics | BS, Community Nutrition | BS, Nutrition Science

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 or nutrition (dietetics, community nutrition, or nutrition science) 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 and Nutrition 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 4339 Community Nutrition Practicum; those seeking a degree in Nutrition Science will complete NUTR 4301 Research in Nutrition and Family Sciences, and those in Family and Consumer Sciences will complete FACS 4340 FCS Professional Practice.

[3.1.1] Dietetics

[Back to program-of-study links]

Students who elect and successfully 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):

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Dietetics enter the Mathematical Reasoning for Health Sciences Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1365 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

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 Nutrition and Family Sciences [Note 1]
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 3356 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.

* indicates courses needed for application into program with a “B” or better.

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

Note 1

Students participating in the University Scholars Program may substitute USCH 3320 for NUTR 4301.

[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.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Community Nutrition enter the Mathematical Reasoning for Health Sciences Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1365 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Major requirements (58 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 3356 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 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition I
NUTR 3371 Nutrition Counseling
NUTR 3375 Lifecycle Nutrition II
NUTR 3380 Food Economics
NUTR 4301 Research in Nutrition and Family Sciences [Note 2]
NUTR 4315 Sports Nutrition
NUTR 4321 Nutritional Services Administration
NUTR 4339 Community Nutrition Practicum [UD UCA Core: Z]
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.

Note 2

Students participating in the University Scholars Program may substitute USCH 3320 for NUTR 4301.

[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).

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Nutrition Science enter the College Algebra Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Major requirements (43 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 3356 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 3370 Lifecycle Nutrition I
NUTR 3375 Lifecycle Nutrition II
NUTR 3390 Nutrition and Metabolism
NUTR 4301 Research in Nutrition and Family Sciences [UD UCA Core: Z] [Note 3]
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 4]
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 4]
PHYS 1420 College Physics 2 [ACTS: PHSC2024] [Note 4]
CHEM 2450 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry [ACTS: CHEM1224]

Supporting requirements (7 hours)

H SC 3123 Medical Terminology
PSYC 2330 Psychological Statistics (or another approved introductory statistics course)
PSYC 3323 Abnormal Psychology

Note 3

Students participating in the University Scholars Program may substitute USCH 3320 for NUTR 4301. Students making this substitution must complete USCH 4320 for their upper-division UCA Core Capstone (Z) course.

Note 4

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

[3.1.4] Family and Consumer Sciences (48 hours)

[Back to program-of-study links]

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Family & Consumer Sciences enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

Major Requirements (27 hours):

FACS 2341 Lifespan Development or FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3318 Parenting Issues
FACS 3356 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
FACS 3372 Personal and Family Finance [UD UCA Core: I, R]
FACS 4316 Women in Poverty [UD UCA Core: D]
FACS 4340 FCS Professional Practice [UD UCA Core: Z]
NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 3350 Community Nutrition

Major Electives (21 hours, choose from the following):

FACS 1370 Interior and Apparel Construction I
FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3302 Housing and Interior Design for Family and Consumer Sciences
FACS 3359 The Business of Embroidery and Textiles
FACS 3360 Consumer Problems in Clothing
FACS 3361 Interior and Apparel Construction II
FACS 3391 Aging and The Family
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 Interior Materials
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 I
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 4T90 Internship II as the required UCA Core Capstone.

Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in the BSE Family & Consumer Sciences enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.

[3.2.1] Family and Consumer Sciences

Major requirements:

NUTR 1300 Foundations of Nutrition
NUTR 2311 Meal Management
NUTR 3310 Food Science
FACS 1370 Interior and Apparel Construction I
FACS 2341 Lifespan Development
FACS 2351 Family Relations
FACS 3302 Housing and Interior Design for Family and Consumer Sciences
FACS 3311 Resource Management [UD UCA Core: C]
FACS 3318 Parenting Issues
FACS 3356 Methods in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
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 4317 Advanced Personal and Family Finance

Professional Education course work:

Professional Education coursework 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
EDUC 3322 Diverse Learners in Inclusive Settings
EDUC 4210 Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning
MSIT 3310 Development and Learning [UD UCA Core: D, R]
MSIT 4305 Classroom Management
MSIT 4321 Classroom Assessment [UD UCA Core: I]
MSIT 4325 Disciplinary Literacy [UD UCA Core: C]

Content methods course:

FACS 4355 Curriculum Development in Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Intense internship experience:

FACS 4450 Internship I (Practicum)
FACS 4T90 Internship II (Directed Teaching) [UD UCA Core: Z]

[3.3] 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] Master’s Degree

See the following links to the Graduate Bulletin:

[5] 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.