Family and Consumer Science is the study of individuals, relationships, and their connections with contemporary society and the environment. It uses public service initiatives, research, open information, and education to enhance people relationships and quality of life.

A typical curriculum in Family and Consumer Science includes topics like general sociology, financial management, health and wellness, personal computing, educational psychology, basic nutrition, child development, culinary practices, housing perspectives, and much more and students who major in this discipline are interested in how individuals interact with one another and in communities of all sizes. They aim to know what social and environmental elements have the most effects on human development and how to make families and societies that are more secure, nurturing, and healthy.

Additionally, students in this field have a thorough understanding of personal and family relationships, housing, health, and financial security. Through research in the biological sciences, physical and social sciences, this field is intended to aid in their development of a broad understanding and equip them with multidisciplinary knowledge.

Study levels:

Programmes in Family and Consumer Science are offered at the undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels by different colleges and universities around the world, via degrees, diplomas and certificates. These include:

• Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
• Bachelor of Science in Fashion Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Personal and Family Financial Planning
• Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Food Science
• Bachelor of Arts in Child, Youth and Family Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Science
• Bachelor in Human Development and Family Services
• Bachelor in Applied Science
• Bachelor in Social Work
• Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science
• Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences
• Master of Arts in Human Development and Family Studies
• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Studies: Pastoral Counselling
• Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counselling
• Master in Social Work
• Master in Public Health
• Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Consumer Science
• Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate

Specialisations:

Students can further refine their knowledge in child development by selecting an area of specialisation in Family and Consumer Science.

The different areas of specialisation include:

• Human Development
• Child Development
• Family Studies
• Counselling/Therapy
• Design and Merchandising
• Family and Consumer Science
• Public Health
• Health and Wellness
• Personal Finance
• Interior Design and Housing
• Consumer Resource Management
• Event Planning
• Professional and Creative Industries
• Food Science and Human Nutrition

Employability:

Since its inception, family and consumer sciences education has been the foundation of life literacy instruction, educating students for a wide range of careers that require them to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate successfully in order to address real-world problems. There are a variety of fields you can work in with a degree in family consumer science.

A list of possible career options are as follows:

• Community service officer
• Family support advocate
• Retail merchandiser
• Human resources assistant
• Nutritionist
• Human resources coordinator
• Juvenile probation officer
• High school teacher
• Interior designer
• Account executive
• Financial planner
• Sales consultant
• Business analyst
• Adoption caseworker
• Real estate agent