Are there any student groups that I can join related to this major?
The IUP Family and Consumer Sciences Education Student Association is a very active service club for majors and other interested students. The club enables students to become involved in community service projects, fundraising for service organizations, and educational field trips.
Is the Family and Consumer Sciences Education Program accredited?
Yes, the program is accredited by NCATE
(National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education). IUP’s teacher
education programs are recognized both nationally and regionally recognized.
Once accredited by NCATE, IUP teacher preparation programs agree to abide by
the standards of NCATE and to take responsibility for their own continuous
improvement. Please visit the NCATE Electronic
Exhibit Room for more
information about our accreditation. Teacher education at IUP was the first
mission of the university in 1875.
Will I get to actually have experiences in the public schools before I student teach?
Yes, the Family and Consumer Sciences Education program is well known for its opportunities to practice “hands-on” learning. You participate in two early field experiences before your final semester of supervised teaching experience in public schools. You will be able to take advantage of a full range of activities offered in culturally and economically diverse urban and rural settings.
What can I do with this major when I graduate?
Upon completion of the bachelor’s degree
program, you’ll be able to be certified to teach Family and Consumer Education
in grades K-12. Most graduates teach at the middle and high school levels,
since the demand for teachers in this field currently exceeds the supply. The
Pennsylvania teaching certificate easily transfers to most states. Graduates
are heavily recruited by many states, including New Jersey, Virginia, and
Maryland.
Other career options include writing Family and Consumer Education
textbooks, working in county or state extension positions, or serving as
specialized consultants to state departments of education.
Family and consumer science teachers at the
middle and high school level instruct students about:
- Nutrition and food
preparation
- Interpersonal relationships
- Human development
- Child care and parenting
- Family relationships
- Textiles and apparel
construction
- Home environments
- Financial management
- Consumer purchasing
- Resource management
Is there still a need for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers?
Yes! There is a nationwide demand
for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers. In order to recruit students into
the major, the National Association of State Administrators of Family and
Consumer Sciences has launched the campaign “Say
Yes to FCS!”