Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences encompasses the study of the relationships among people and their personal environments. The department focuses on the impact of the physical, biological, social and economic environments on human behavior and development. Students who major in Family and Consumer Sciences learn to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities by providing practical solutions to problems involving food science and nutrition, apparel and interior design, child rearing and family relations, and family and consumer economics.

Students select from six areas of study: Apparel Design and Merchandising; Consumer Affairs; Family and Consumer Sciences Education; Family Studies; Interior Design; and Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science. All Family and Consumer Sciences majors take five core courses that include concepts common to all specializations, as well as courses in their options. The department offers experiential learning opportunities through its lab and studio courses and the Child and Family Studies Laboratory, the Consumer Resource Center and the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics. All Family and Consumer Sciences majors gain practical experience through internships in professional settings. Students gain leadership skills through the Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the Kappa Omicron Nu national honor society.

A. Core Courses Required of All Options (14 units)

FCS 170 Creative Expression in Family and Consumer Sciences (2)
FCS 232 Individual and Family Development (3)
FCS 320 Family Resource Management (3)
FCS 380 Family and Consumer Sciences Foundations and Research (3)
FCS 494/I Academic Internship and Activity (2/1)

B. Consumer Affairs Option

1. Option Required Courses (18 units)

2. Patterns

Select Pattern A or B (see below) or a minor approved by the advisor (e.g. Journalism, Gerontology, Psychology, Business, Marketing).

Pattern A: Business (33 units)

Required Courses (18 units)

BLAW 280 Business Law I (3)
BUS 104 Introduction to Business (3)
ENGL 205 Business Communication in its Rhetorical Contexts (3)
FCS 428 Corporate Consumer Affairs (3)
MGT 360 Management and Organizational Behavior (3)
Elective from departments in Business, Economics or other approved departments (see advisor) (3)

Pattern A Electives (15 units)

Select 15 units from upper division Family and Consumer Sciences. Electives in bold are recommended.

FCS 315 Issues in Housing (3)
FCS 322/L Equipment I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 340 Marriage and Family Relations (3)
FCS 353 Apparel and Human Behavior (3)
FCS 381 Computer Applications in Family and Consumer Sciences (3)
FCS 423 Analysis of Family Economics Issues (3)
FCS 424 Resource Management for the Elderly (3)
FCS 426 Issues of Contemporary and Future Families (3)
FCS 427 Consumer Advocacy and Education (3)
FCS 429 Family and Consumer Public Policy (3)
FCS 496C Money Matters (3)

Pattern B: Family Financial Management and Counseling (33 units)

Required Courses (18 units)

Pattern B Electives (15 units)

Select 15 units from upper division Family and Consumer Sciences. Electives in bold are recommended.

FCS 315 Issues in Housing (3)
FCS 322/L Equipment I and Lab (2/1)
FCS 340 Marriage and Family Relations (3)
FCS 353 Apparel and Human Behavior (3)
FCS 381 Computer Applications in Family and Consumer Sciences (3)
FCS 426 Issues of Contemporary and Future Families (3)
FCS 427 Consumer Advocacy and Education (3)
FCS 428 Corporate Consumer Affairs (3)
FCS 480 The Helping Professional (3)
FCS 499A-C Independent Study (1-3)

3. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
Students majoring in FCS generally may not count FCS courses for GE. However, FCS majors may count FCS 340 in Lifelong Learning. Majors in Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science and FCS Education options may count BIOL 101/L in Natural Sciences. Any courses outside the FCS department that are listed in GE and also required or selected in the student’s FCS option may be counted toward meeting GE requirements. For example, CHEM 103/L is required in several FCS options and also will count in GE Natural Sciences.

Total Units in the Core and Option: 65

Total Units for the B.S. Degree: 120