The Master in Family and Consumer Sciences program provides a focused, comprehensive, and structured curriculum for individuals who want to serve communities, families, and individuals in an increasingly global and interdependent world.
The Master of Arts (M.A) or Master of Science (M.S) in Family and Consumer Sciences program allows students to specialize in a variety of areas such as Human Development and Family Sciences, Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Family Economics and Resource Management, Youth Development, Interior Design, and Fashion Design and Merchandising.
The following is a detailed information guide for individuals who are interested in pursuing a Masters in Family and Consumer Science.
What Is Family and Consumer Science?
This field studies the relationships among individuals and their personal environments. It focuses on the impact of the economic, social, biological, and physical environments on human development and behavior. Individuals who pursue this major learn to improve the quality of quality of life for communities and families by offering effective and practical solutions to problems related to family and consumer economics, family relations, interior design, apparel and interior design, and food science and nutrition.
What Can You Do with a Master’s in Family and Consumer Science?
Family and Consumer Sciences professionals work in a range of settings to teach essential life skills, provide services to families, and to develop and market improved services and products. After graduating, individuals can pursue their careers as:
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Consumer and Family Resource Counselors
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Consumer Service Professionals
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Financial and Credit, Housing, or Bankruptcy Counselors
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Home Economics Teachers
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Dietitians and Nutritionists
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Fashion Entrepreneurs
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Fashion Educators
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Production Managers in Fashion
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Fashion Market Analysts
The following section will provide salary data and employment growth statistics for a few occupations in this field.
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
These professionals teach courses related to home management, nutrition, and family relations beyond high-school level.
Median Annual Salary, 2019: $76,480
Average Mean Salary, 2019: $85,270
Projected Growth Rate, 2018-28: 11% (Postsecondary Teachers)
State with the Highest Salary, 2019: California - $134,700
State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019: California – 280
Dietitians and Nutritionists
These professionals are responsible for designing nutritional programs to help people achieve specific health-related goals. They work in a variety of settings such as cafeterias, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and clinics. The statistics mentioned below have been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Annual Salary, 2019: $61,270
Average Mean Salary, 2019: $62,330
Projected Growth Rate, 2018-28: 11%
State with the Highest Salary, 2019: California - $77,040
State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019: California – 7,880
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers
These professionals are responsible for coordinating and directly supervising activities of workers engaged in serving and preparing food. The following wage statistics have been taken from O*Net Online.
Median Annual Salary, 2018: $32,450
Projected Growth Rate, 2018-28: 11% or higher
Top industry, 2018: Accommodation and Food Services
Note: These figures have been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*Net Online.
What to Expect from a Family and Consumer Science Program?
The Master of Science (M.S) in Family and Consumer Science program generally requires completion of 33 to 36 credits. Students have the option of pursuing either a thesis track or a non-thesis route. The program allows students to major in a number of fields such as:
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Consumer Affairs and Family Studies: This concentration covers modules related to Current Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences, Family Financial Issues, Family Management, Theories of Family Development, and Family and Consumer Public Policy.
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Apparel Design and Merchandising: This major is suitable for professionals seeking leadership roles in the textile and apparel industries. The curriculum of this program covers topics like Textile Technology for Apparel Design and Merchandising, Textiles and Apparel in the Global Economy, and Theories and Applications in Apparel Design and Merchandising.
How to Choose a Family and Consumer Science Program?
When choosing a Master’s program in Family and Consumer Science, you should consider a number of factors such as accreditation status, placement opportunities, the length and cost of the program, specialization options, course curriculum, and distance learning options.
Master’s in Family and Consumer Science Admission Requirements
In order to enroll in a Master’s in Family and Consumer Science program, applicants are expected to meet the following requirements:
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Should hold a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited university or college.
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Cumulative GPA requirements vary from university to university.
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Applicants have to submit the admission application along with the statement of professional goals, bachelor’s transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
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Candidates who have not majored in Family and Consumer Science at the undergraduate level are expected to complete a specific set of pre-requisites.