Family and Consumer Sciences

FACULTY Associate Professors Drake (chair), Keist, Olds, Vollmer; Assistant Professors Burroughs, Newell; Instructor-in-Residence Nigg.

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers majors in family and consumer sciences; family and consumer sciences education; hospitality management; nutrition and dietetics; public health education; and apparel production and merchandising. 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 teaching, family and consumer sciences related business, social welfare, community health and wellness, dietetics, family and consumer sciences extension, family and child services, hospitality, and fashion and retail merchandising 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):

• FCS 461 Practicum in Dietetics (required for FCSND) - 3 hrs.
• 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.  

Family and Consumer Sciences Major

The Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) major is designed based on the standards set by the National Council on Family Relations and the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Students are equipped to work in a variety of settings and roles including social services, extension services, family intervention support services, community education, government agencies, and family wellness services. The required coursework helps prepare students to take the Certified Family Life Educator exam. The required minor allows students to develop extra expertise.

Preparing Students for Success

Students will develop family life education skills through coursework and internships. The required coursework helps prepare students to take the Certified Family Life Educator exam.

By the time students graduate, experiences may include:

• At least one internship in a family and consumer science setting. Students have interned for organizations such as University of Illinois Extension, Crittenton Centers, Common Place, Family House and OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.
• Class projects in family and child development, family education, consumer issues, and family relationships.
• Professional development and networking through Kappa Omicron Nu (KONu) national honor society membership

Making Your Mark

FCS majors may become family life or child educators, extension program coordinators, or family support professionals. This degree prepares students to enter the workforce after graduation or pursue a graduate degree in a field such as human development and family science, counseling, social work, or education.

Major Requirements

Family and Consumer Sciences Core: 12-15 hrs.

• 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.

Required Professional Work Experience - 0-3 hrs.

• FCS 460 Retail Merchandising Practicum or EHS 301 Cooperative Education Internship

Required FCS courses - 26 hrs.

• FCS 103 Food Resource Management - 3 hrs.
• FCS 203 School Health Promotion - 3 hrs.
• FCS 204 Family Programs Across the Lifespan - 3 hrs.
• FCS 340 Parent Education- 3 hrs.
• FCS 341 Human Development through the Lifespan - 3 hrs.
• FCS Electives - 8-11 hrs.

Required Supporting Courses - 27 hrs.

• SOC 100 The Sociological Perspective – 3 hrs.
• PSY 101 Principles of Psychology – 3 hrs.
• MTH 111 Elementary Statistics  - 3 hrs.
• WGS 200 Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies or SOC 315: Gender & Society – 3 hrs.
• SOC 210 Sociology of Families or ETE 280: Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, and Communities – 3 hrs.
• ENC 370 Human Relations Development – Techniques – 2 hrs. and ENC 375: Human Relations Development Laboratory – 1 hr.
• 9 hours of electives (choose from: ETE 115, NUR 163, PSY 201, SOC 212, NUR 219, NUR 220, NUR 221, PSY 245, COM 305, PSY 309, SOC 311, SOC 312, COM 315, SOC 332, SOC 342, NUR 353, SW 354, SW 335, HS 380

Required Minor - 18 hrs.

• There are many options on campus that students can choose from that would align with a variety of family studies professions that would advance a student’s expertise, such as Sociology, Women’s & Gender Studies, and Health.  

Open Electives - 14 hrs.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education Major

Students who choose the family and consumer sciences education program (FCST) can meet Illinois certification requirements for teaching family and consumer sciences in junior and senior high schools. Graduates receiving certification have found employment in public schools throughout the United States.

Student teaching (ETE 499) fulfills the professional work experience requirement. As in any good program, revisions are being made continually; students should consult the Department of Teacher Education chair about current program requirements. Secondary education teacher candidates should refer to the teacher education department for requirements in professional education courses for secondary education. Candidates will have an advisor in both Family and Consumer Sciences and in the Department of Teacher Education.

These courses are required for all secondary education majors in family and consumer sciences.

A minimum of 38 semester hours in family and consumer sciences, including the family and consumer sciences core, is required for all family and consumer sciences majors.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core: 12-15 hours

• 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.

Students should choose courses in the following concentrations:

Nutrition, and Wellness and Hospitality (dietary needs, food management, food preparation, food sanitation, foods, hospitality, and nutrition)

Choose at least 9 hours from the following courses:

• FCS 103 Food Resource Management - 3 hrs.
• FCS 170 Introduction to the Hospitality Industry - 3 hrs.
• FCS 171 Sanitation, Health, and Safety - 1 hr.
• FCS 202 Food and Nutrition or FCS 301 Nutrition Today or FCS 303 Nutrition - 3 hrs.
• FCS 203 School Health Promotion- 3 hrs. 
• FCS 204 Programs across the Life Span- 3 hrs.
• **FCS 220 Consumer Issues in Health Care - 3 hrs.
• FCS 270 Special Event Planning - 3 hrs.
• FCS 271 Food and World Cultures - 3 hrs.
• FCS 304 Sports and Exercise Nutrition - 3 hrs. (not offered every year)
• FCS 305 Experimental Foods - 1 hr.
• FCS 371 Meeting and Convention Planning - 3 hrs.
• FCS 405 Food Service Systems - 4 hrs.
• FCS 408 Management in Food Service - 4 hrs. 

Apparel and Textiles (clothing/apparel industry, clothing/fashion design, costume design, history of fashion, sewing, textile production, textiles, and wholesale/retail/design operations for apparel and textiles)

Choose 9 hours from the following courses:

• FCS 131 The Fashion Industry - 3 hrs.
• FCS 133 Apparel Production - 3 hrs.
• FCS 233 Consumer Textiles - 3 hrs.
• FCS 231 Pattern Making - 3 hrs.
• FCS 330 Fashion Merchandising and FCS 331 Fashion Merchandising Laboratory - 4 hrs.
• FCS 334 Visual Merchandising - 3 hrs.
• FCS 335 Survey of Fashion Designers - 3 hrs.
• FCS 336 History of Fashion - 3 hrs.
• FCS 337 Clothing and Human Behavior - 3 hrs.
• FCS 438 Global Issues in Textiles and Apparel - 3 hrs.

Living Environments (Architectural design, home/office furnishings, housing industry, interior/exterior design, and wholesale/retail operations (housing/interior furnishings).

Choose 9 hours from the following courses:

• FCS 173 Lodging Operations - 3 hrs.
• FCS 233 Consumer Textiles - 3 hrs.
• FCS 237 Sustainability in Retail - 3 hrs.
• FCS 272 Hospitality Facilities Management - 3 hrs.
• **FCS 346 FCS Resource Management - 3 hrs.
• **FCS 300 Consumer Issues in America - 3 hrs.
• FCS 334 Visual Merchandising - 3 hrs.
• FCS 357 Housing and Interior Design Concepts - 3 hrs. (not offered every year)

**FCS Core Requirement

Hospitality Management Major

The Hospitality Management (HL) degree program at Bradley University prepares students for careers in the industry including such options as foodservice, lodging, event planning, and tourism. Current estimates show that the industry employs over 15 million people, and employers seek graduates with a hospitality degree. This industry is projected to add substantial numbers of new jobs/careers to the economy.

The HL major at Bradley prepares students for successful careers through coursework leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, including at least 480 hours of internship experience. In addition, HL majors, under the supervision of their academic advisor, are required to select an undergraduate minor from entrepreneurship and innovation, management and leadership, or marketing, setting them apart as highly prepared, qualified, and experienced professionals. Furthermore, qualified students are strongly encouraged to minor in a foreign language.

Supporting Requirements - 15-21 hrs. 

• ATG 101 Survey of Accounting or ATG 157 Accounting Principles - 3 hrs. 
• ECO 100 Introduction to Economics or ECO 221 Principles of Microeconomics - 3 hrs.
• EHS 301 - Cooperative Education or Internship in EHS - 0-6 hrs.
• M L 350 Managing for Results in Organizations - 3 hrs.
• MTG 315 Principles of Marketing - 3 hrs.
• PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core   12-15 hrs.

• 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.

Additional Required FCS Courses 34 hrs.

• FCS 103 Food Resource Management - 3 hrs.
• FCS 170 Introduction to the Hospitality Industry - 3 hrs.
• FCS 171 Sanitation, Health, and Safety - 1 hr.
• FCS 173 Lodging Operations - 3 hrs.
• FCS 270 Special Event Planning - 3 hrs. or FCS 371 Convention & Meeting Planning - 3 hrs.
• FCS 272 Hospitality Facilities Management - 3 hrs.
• FCS 370 Hospitality Management Accounting - 3 hrs.
• FCS 372 Hospitality Law - 3 hrs.
• FCS 376 Professional Development Seminar - 1 hr.
• FCS 405 Food Service Systems - 4 hrs.
• FCS 408 Management in Food Service - 4 hrs.
• FCS 470 Special Topics in Hospitality Business - 3 hrs.

Required Minor: Option I, II, or III

• Option I - 15 hrs. 
  An entrepreneurship and innovation minor as described in this catalog under the Turner School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
  
  
• Option II - 15 hrs.
  A management and leadership minor as described in this catalog under the Department of Management and Leadership in the Foster College of Business.
  
  
• Option III - 15 hrs.
  A marketing minor as described in this catalog under the Department of Marketing in the Foster College of Business
  
  

Required Certificate
ANSI-CFP accredited Food Protection Manager Certification or FCS 171 Sanitation, Health, and Safety (1 hr.) must be completed before enrolling in FCS 405 and FCS 408.

Nutrition and Dietetics Major

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: 12-15 hours

• 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.

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.

Apparel Production and Merchandising Major

The Apparel Production and Merchandising major teaches you the necessary skills to work in many areas of the apparel industry, including fiber and fabric sourcing, product development, buying, merchandising, quality assurance, and retail management. A required minor allows you to develop extra expertise in a field that complements your career goals.

Preparing You for Success

Apparel Production and Merchandising majors develop production and merchandising skills through coursework and internships. By the time you graduate, experiences may include:

• At least one internship in the apparel industry (a minimum of 240 contact hours are required)
• Class projects in apparel construction, textiles, buying math, visual merchandising, and sustainability
• Professional development and networking through student organizations

University Requirements

Candidates for all baccalaureate degrees must complete requirements in the Bradley Core Curriculum. Students in this major should choose the following courses:

• CHM 100 Fundamentals of General Chemistry - 3 hrs.
• CHM 101 Fundamentals of General Chemistry Lab - 1 hr.
• ECO 100 Introduction to Economics or ECO 221 Principles of Microeconomics - 3 hrs.
• PSY 101 Principles of Psychology - 3 hrs.

Family and Consumer Sciences Core: 12-15 hrs.

• 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.

Required Professional Work Experience: 0- 3 hrs. 

• EHS 301 Cooperative Education or Internship in EHS - 0-3 hrs. (a minimum of 240 contact hours is required)

Additional Required FCS Courses: 25 hours
(must earn C or better in each of these courses)

• FCS 131 The Fashion Industry - 3 hrs.
• FCS 133 Apparel Production - 3 hrs.
• FCS 233 Consumer Textiles - 3 hrs.
• FCS 237 Sustainability in Retail - 3 hrs.
• FCS 330 Fashion Merchandising - 3 hrs.
• FCS 333 Advanced Textiles - 3 hrs.
• FCS 334 Visual Merchandising - 1 hr.
• FCS 335 Survey of Fashion Designers - 3 hrs.
• FCS 337 Clothing and Human Behavior - 3 hrs.

Required Supporting Courses: 6 hrs.

• ART 227 Basic Graphic Design - 3 hrs.
• MTG 381 Integrated Marketing Communications or COM 220 Advertising as Communication - 3 hrs.

Required Minor: 15-18 hours

• There are many optionson campus that students can choose from that would align with a variety of apparel production and merchandising professions that would advance a student’s expertise, such as Journalism, Sustainability, and Marketing.

Open Elective Courses:

• Selected in consultation with advisor

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.)

This is the official catalog for the 2021-2022 academic year. This catalog serves as a contract between a student and Bradley University. Should changes in a program of study become necessary prior to the next academic year every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes via the Dean of the College or Chair of the Department concerned, the Registrar's Office, u.Achieve degree audit system, and the Schedule of Classes. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of the current program and graduation requirements for particular degree programs.