Family and Consumer Sciences FAQ

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.

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.

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.

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

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!”