Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Dr. Vivian Fluellen, Department Chair

101 Myers Hall

(478) 825-6234

 

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that helps individuals, families and communities make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food, nutrition, and wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues. The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences awards the Bachelor of Sciences degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with concentrations in (i) Food and Nutrition and (ii) Infant and Child Development. 

 

The Food and Nutrition program aims to prepare students to become ambassadors of health and wellness for individuals, families and communities.  The food and nutrition program prepares students to work in a variety of different settings.  These settings include food services, community based organizations, research and education.  The program of study focuses on the boundless knowledge, skills and values of the health and wellness profession.  The student is prepared with a comprehensive curriculum.  The curriculum derived from the areas of food and nutrition sciences are included throughout the program.

 

The Infant and Child Development is the study of young children from conception to adulthood.  This area of child development places emphasis on the early childhood years, a very special age span in human development.  The ICDV program is designed to equip teachers of young children with fundamental views and skills so they may function effectively with the children in their care.  These courses will also aid students in developing a personal philosophy about child behavior and learning processes.

 

Accreditation

The department is accredited by the Council of Accreditation of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

 

General Program Requirement for All Majors

All programs require active pre-professional participation in a professional organization.  All majors may elect to join the American Association of Family Sciences (AAFCS).   Dues must be paid at the beginning of each school term.  Infant/Child Development majors may elect to become members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) in lieu of AAFCS membership. Majors in Food/Nutrition may become student affiliate members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic. Dues structures are similar for the three (3) organizations.

 

Child Development Programs

Child Development  programs are designed  to: (I)  provide an educational  setting for students to receive practical experiences in planning, guiding and evaluating activities for pre-school children under professional supervision, (2) maintain wholesome conditions through which students may develop case histories and conduct similar activities with children and their families and (3) allow for  the  development   of  research  projects  under  supervised  conditions   which  will  increase knowledge and understanding in child growth and development. Additionally, Child Development programs:  (I) provide  developmentally  appropriate  activities  which  foster  total  well-being  of preschool children  ages  I through  4 years,  and (2) provide  support  to parents  through  a variety  of activities  which  meet  the  needs  of participating families  and  the community at  large.  Programs located on the campus include Pre-K, Infant Nursery, and Toddler   Labs.   Also, a Pre-K Program is operated in