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Family and Consumer Sciences

FACULTY Associate Professors Drake (chair), Keist, Olds, Vollmer; Assistant Professor Nigg.

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers majors in child life science; nutrition and dietetics; and public health education. The department also offers a minor in family and consumer sciences.

Career opportunities continue to expand in the fast-growing fields represented by this interdisciplinary department. Careers in family and consumer sciences related business, social welfare, community health and wellness, dietetics, family and child services can all result from degree programs in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Departmental Requirements

All family and consumer sciences students must meet the family and consumer sciences core requirements listed below, a professional work experience, as well as the required courses for their chosen major. Students must take a minimum of 38 hours in FCS courses.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core

  • FCS 100 Family Dynamics - 3 hrs
  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs. or FCS 300 Consumer Issues in America - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 310 Community Program Planning and FCS 311 Evaluation and Research Methods or FCS 346 FCS Resource Management - 3-6 hrs.
  • FCS 442 Foundations of FCS - 3 hrs.

Total 12 - 15 hrs.

Required Professional Work Experience (0–13 credit hours, depending on major):

  • EHS 301 Cooperative Education Or Internship in EHS - 0-6 hrs.
  • ETE 499 Student Teaching in the High School (required for FCST) - 10-13 hrs.

Nutrition and Dietetics Major

Careers in health care, community and public health, wellness, foods science, foodservice, product development, food marketing, communication, and business consulting offer many diverse opportunities for graduates in this major. Students choosing the Nutrition and Dietetics major will be enrolled in the didactic program in dietetics (DPD). The DPD at Bradley University carries full accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 1-800-877-1600. ACEND is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). Students, who graduate from this program in compliance with all curricular requirements, and with an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 and a science GPA of 2.75, will receive a verification statement. This verification statement will allow them to pursue an ACEND-accredited dietetic internship or supervised practice. After successful completion of supervised practice, they will be prepared to take the national registration examination to become registered dietitians.

University Requirements

Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must complete requirements in the Bradley Core Curriculum (BCC), as outlined in the All-University Degree Requirements section of this catalog. BCC requirements emphasize eight "Areas of Inquiry" that will more deeply engage the student in the process of intellectual growth. Some required courses listed below will satisfy elements of the BCC, other BCC courses and electives should be selected in consultation with an advisor.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core: 15 hours

  • FCS 100 Family Dynamics - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 310 Community Program Planning - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 311 Evaluation and Research Methods - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 442 Foundations of FCS - 3 hrs.

Required Professional Work Experience: 0-2 hours

  • EHS 301 Internship in EHS - 0-2 hrs.

Additional Required FCS Courses: 33 hours

  • FCS 102 Profession of Dietetics - 1 hr.
  • FCS 103 Food Resource Management - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 171 Sanitation, Health, and Safety - 1 hr.
  • FCS 202 Food and Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 204 Family Programs across the Lifespan - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs)
  • FCS 271 Food and World Cultures - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 305 Experimental Foods - 1 hr.
  • FCS 310 Community Program Planning - 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs)
  • FCS 311 Evaluation and Research Methods – 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs)
  • FCS 341 Human Development across the Lifespan - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 405 Food Service Systems - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 408 Management in Food Service - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 410 Advanced Nutrition - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 411 or FCS 511 Medical Nutrition Therapy I - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 412 or FCS 512 Medical Nutrition Therapy II – 3 hrs.

Required Supporting Courses: 23 hours

  • BIO 111 Introduction to Cell Biology - 3 hrs.
  • BIO 202 Microbiology and Immunology - 4 hrs. (included in the University Requirements hrs)
  • BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I- 3 hrs.
  • BIO 231 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab – 1 hr.
  • BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 3 hrs.
  • BIO 233 Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 1 hr.
  • CHM 100 Fundamentals of General Chemistry - 3 hrs. (included in the University Requirements hrs)
  • CHM 101 Fundamentals of General Chemistry Lab - 1 hr.
  • CHM 162 Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry - 4 hrs.
  • ENS 305 Sustainability and Food or BIO 300 Population, Resources, and the Environment - 3 hrs.
  • ML 350 Interpersonal Effectiveness in Organizations - 3 hrs. or PSY 321 Industrial and Organizational Psychology – 3 hrs.
  • MTH 111 Elementary Statistics - 3 hrs. (included in the University Requirements hrs)
  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs. (included in the University Requirements hrs)

Required Certificate:

  • ANSI-CFP accredited Food Protection Manager Certification

Public Health Education Major

A major in public health education is an interdisciplinary, community-focused program that will prepare graduates to develop programs and materials to help individuals and community groups make healthy lifestyle choices. Through an innovative program, students will understand the concept of community wellness, disease prevention, and optimal well-being. A strong background in both the natural and social sciences along with a required minor in health will equip students to address today’s public health issues. Students graduating from this program will be eligible to take the national exam for the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.

Graduates with a B.S. in public health education will be competitive for jobs in public health: health education, social service agencies, healthcare providers, private and non-profit organizations such as local and state health departments, hospitals, agencies such as the American Red Cross and YMCA, and other human services groups. Graduates will also be well prepared to enter graduate school in a variety of programs, such as public health and health education.

University Requirements: 36 hours

Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must complete requirements in the Bradley Core Curriculum, as outlined in the All-University Degree Requirements section of this catalog. BCC requirements emphasize eight "Areas of Inquiry" that will more deeply engage the student in the process of intellectual growth. Students in this major should choose the following:

  • CHM 100 Fundamentals of General Chemistry - 3 hrs.
  • CHM 101 Fundamentals of General Chemistry Lab - 1 hr.
  • MTH 111 Elementary Statistics - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • SOC 100 The Sociological Perspective - 3 hrs.
  • Others as advised and required by the Bradley Core Curriculum program and the required Health Minor.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core: 15 hours

  • FCS 100 Family Dynamics - 3 hrs
  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 310 Community Program Planning and FCS 311 Evaluation and Research Methods
  • FCS 442 Foundations of FCS - 3 hrs.

Required Professional Work Experience: 0-2 hours (160 contact hours required)

  • EHS 301 Cooperative Education or Internship in EHS - 0-2 hrs.

Additional Required FCS Courses: 24 hours

  • FCS 120 Foundations in Public Health Education - 1 hrs.
  • FCS 202 Food and Nutrition - 3 hrs
  • FCS 203 School Health Promotion - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Healthcare - 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs).
  • FCS 221 Introduction to Community and Public Health - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 310 Community Program Planning - 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs).
  • FCS 311 Evaluation and Research Methods - 3 hrs. (included in FCS core hrs).
  • FCS 320 Public Health Intervention Strategies - 2 hrs.
  • FCS 341 Human Development through the Lifespan - 3 hrs.
  • FCS 420 Public Health Policy - 2 hrs.
  • FCS 421 Public Health Education Seminar - 1 hr.
  • FCS 464 Leadership in Public Health Education - 3 hrs.
  • FCS Elective (choose from FCS 103, 204, 271, 340, or 514) - 3 hrs.

Required Supporting Courses: 25 hours

  • BIO 111 Introduction to Cell Biology – 3 hrs.
  • BIO 230 Human Anatomy and Physiology I – 3 hrs.
  • BIO 232 Human Anatomy and Physiology II – 3 hrs.
  • BIO 300 Population, Resources, and Environment or ENS 110 Environmental Science - 3 hrs.
  • CHM 100 Fundamentals of General Chemistry - 3 hrs.
  • CHM 101 Fundamentals of General Chemistry Lab - 1 hr.
  • CHM 162 Fundamentals of Organic and Biochemistry - 4 hrs.
  • CHM 302 or NUR 391 Medical Terminology - 1 hr.
  • MTH 111 Elementary Statistics - 3 hrs.
  • NUR 363 Introduction to Personal and Community Health - 3 hrs.
  • PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.
  • SOC 100 The Sociological Perspective - 3 hrs.
  • 6 hrs of electives (choose from PSY 201, 309, 313, SOC 313, 333, 341, 343) - 6 hrs.

Required Health Minor: 18 hours

Required: FCS 202, FCS 221 or NUR 363, PSY 311, electives (9 hrs)

Open Electives for Student Personalization - 15 hours

Selected in consultation with advisor.

Child Life Science Major

The Child Life Science (CLS) major provides you the coursework required to become a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS). CCLS often use play-based or self-expression strategies, education, or emotional support for children and parents. CCLS can also work in non-clinical settings, such as schools, family intervention services, private clinics, funeral homes, rehabilitation clinics, and the court system.

Preparing You For Success
As a CLS student, your real-world training begins your first semester. Plus, there’s an opportunity for you to earn a practicum at one of many local medical facilities BU works closely with. These facilities offer hands-on experience working with infants, children, youth, or families.

By the time you graduate, your experiences may include:

  • A practicum at places like Carle Health, OSF Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House, Crittenton Centers, Family House, and the Children’s Home
  • Research projects in the community
  • Leadership, networking and service opportunities through Kappa Omicron Nu
  • Off-campus study in countries around the world

Making Your Mark

Certified Child Life Specialists (CCLS) are an integral part of the interdisciplinary pediatric healthcare team. You’ll help children and families navigate and cope with all aspects of pediatric healthcare to help them feel safe and supported.

Major Requirements

Family and Consumer Sciences Core – 12-15 hrs.
FCS 100: Family Dynamics – 3hrs.
FCS 220: Consumer Issues in Health Care – 3 hrs.
FCS 310: Community Program Planning – 3 hrs. and FCS 311: Evaluation and Research Methods – 3 hrs. OR FCS 346 FCS Resource Management – 3 hrs.
FCS 442: Foundations of FCS – 3 hrs.

Additional Required FCS Courses – 12 credit hours
FCS 342: Child Development – 3 hrs.
FCS 450 or 550: Play Therapy – 3 hrs.
FCS 451: Child Life Profession - 3 hrs.
FCS 350: Matters of Life and Death – 3 hrs.

Required Supporting Courses – 16 credit hours
ETE 210: Human Development from Birth to Young Adulthood – 3 hrs. or PSY 350 Developmental Psychology - 3 hrs.
BIO 111: Introduction to Cell Biology – 3 hrs.
BIO 230: Human Anatomy & Physiology I – 3 hrs.
BIO 232: Human Anatomy & Physiology II – 3 hrs.
ETE 280: Exploring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of Children Families or FCS 204 Family Programs Across the Lifespan or SOC 311 Comparative Family Systems or SW 310 Child Welfare I -3 hrs.
NUR 391: Medical Terminology – 1 hr.

Research Course (choose 1) – 3-4 credit hours
FCS 311: Research Methods & Evaluation – 3 hrs.
FCS 541: Research Methods – 3 hrs.
KHS 310: Statistical Procedures in Health Sciences – 3 hrs.
NUR 303: Research in Nursing – 3 hrs.
PSY 206: Research Methods in Psychology - 4 hrs.
SOC 240: Research Methods – 3 hrs.
SW 260: Research Methods – 3 hrs.

Required Professional Work Experience – 0-2 credit hours
EHS 301: Cooperative Education Internship

Family and Consumer Sciences Minor - 15 hrs.

The minor in family and consumer sciences enhances other career options, provides career flexibility, and enhances personal knowledge. This minor will allow students to choose courses within:

  • Family and Consumer Sciences
  • Dietetics
  • Apparel and Textiles
  • Hospitality Leadership
  • Public Health Education

Transfer policies for minors are the same as for family and consumer sciences majors. Prior approval of transfer credit must be secured from the chair of Family and Consumer Sciences. The requirements for a minor in family and consumer sciences are:

  1. FCS 300 Consumer Issues In America - 3 hrs.
  2. FCS electives: 12 hours (9 hours must be in Family and Consumer Sciences courses above the 200 level.)