Program: Consumer Sciences, B.S.
Consumer Affairs Option
Program Description
The Consumer Sciences program focuses on theories and principles from consumer behavior and education, government and public policy, management, finance, law and communication as they apply to consumers. Students benefit from a holistic and integrative approach that involves multiple disciplines in Family and Consumer Sciences. The program prepares students to become positive, productive members of the workforce, families and the community.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Required Course (3 units)
FCS 120 Adulting: Managing Your Resources (3)
2. Upper Division Required Courses (21 units)
FCS 315 Housing: Is Owning a Home Still the American Dream? (3)
FCS 320 Family Resource Management (3)
FCS 323 Family and Individual Money Management (3)
FCS 324 Consumer Rights, Issues, and Problems (3)
FCS 380 Family and Consumer Sciences Foundations and Research (3)
FCS 429 Family and Consumer Public Policy (3)
FCS 494 Academic Internship (2)
FCS 494I Academic Internship Evaluation (1)
3. Consumer Affairs Option (21 units)
Option Required Courses (12 units)
BUS 104 Introduction to Business (3)
ECON 101 Economics for Everyday Life (3)
or ECON 160 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
Option Electives (9 units)
Choose any 9 units of coursework from the list below.
BLAW 280 Business Law I (3)
MKT 304 Principles of Marketing (3)
MKT 348 Consumer Behavior (3)
FCS 340 Marriage and Family Relations (3)
FCS 357 Apparel and Human Behavior (3)
FCS 424 Aging and Resource Management (3)
FCS 426 Issues of Contemporary and Future Families (3)
FCS 428 Corporate Consumer Affairs (3)
FCS 480 The Helping Professional (3)
4. General Education (43 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.
6 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: FCS 323 satisfies Area 2 Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning, Upper Division; and ECON 101 or ECON 160 satisfies 3 units of Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, FCS 120 fulfills the Information Competence requirement.
If taken, FCS 340 or FCS 357 satisfies 3 units of upper division Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences.
5. Campus Requirements (6 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements as described in this Catalog. FCS 120 meets the Lifelong Learning requirement.
Total Units in the Major/Option: 45
General Education Units: 37
Campus Requirement Units: 3
Additional Units: 35
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Chair: Yi Cai
Sequoia Hall (SQ) 141
(818) 677-3051
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Sciences will be able to:
- Understand the body of knowledge and professional practices for family and consumer sciences.
- Develop competencies in the body of knowledge for consumer science to address consumer issues in a dynamic and diverse context.
- Analyze consumer issues and specify the appropriate measures to meet an individual or family’s goals.
- Evaluate evidence-based family and consumer research and apply scientific reasoning for family and consumer interests.
ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps
Students who have graduated with a verified Associate Degree for Transfer and have been admitted to a CSUN program that has been deemed similar will be able to complete the baccalaureate degree within 60 semester units. For additional information, see ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps.
Consumer Sciences/Consumer Affairs Option - AA-T in Global Studies (2025-Present)
Consumer Sciences/Consumer Affairs Option - AS-T in Business Administration 2.0 (2025-Present)