Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Do you have a bachelor's degree in nutrition, human development, another area of family and consumer sciences or a related areas? Would you like to become certified to teach family and consumer sciences in your state and earn a master's degree at the same time? If so, consider a new collaborative online program through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA).
This online masters program would provide professional education courses (pedagogy) offered by institutions that are members of the Great Plains IDEA. Central Washington University, Iowa state University, University of nebraska-Lincoln, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, and Texas Tech University are currently developing courses and the program will be offering courses beginning in Fall 2006. Other institutions are invited to participate.
There is a strong demand for family and consumer sciences teachers nationwide. In order to become a family and consumer sciences teacher, you must become licensed/certified in the state where you plan to teach. This may require additional content courses, tests or other individual state requirements.
Who Should Consider This Program?
Persons who have bachelor's degrees and are seeking teacher certification in Family and Consumer Sciences.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, you will:
- Plan curriculum for teaching
- Create a physical and psychological environment for learning
- Engage students in the learning process
- Examine the relationship of diverse groups and the educational process
- Analyze the historical and philosophical underpinnings of FCS
- Assume professional responsibilities
- Apply research to practice
Technical Requirements
Most courses use Internet classrooms. Some have supplemental materials on video or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. You will interact with the professor and other students through e-mail, phone conferencing, and the Internet classroom.
You will need a PC or Macintosh computer with:
- CD-ROM drive
- Sufficient processor speed
- Available hard disk space
- Internet access
- A browser equivalent to Netscape/Explorer 4.0 or newer
Program Requirements
To qualify for the master's degree, students must be admitted to the program, take the necessary course work, and meet the master's degree requirements of their admitting/degree granting institution. The program is a 36-41 credit hour program.
Courses in the On-line Master's Degree Program
- History and Philosophy of FCS & Career & Tech Ed 3 credits
- Occupational Program in FCS 3 credits
- Exceptional Learners 3 credits
- Education in a Pluralistic Society (Human Relations - Multicultural Education) 3 credits
- Development of the Adolescent Learner 3 credits
- Reading in the Content Area 2-3 credits
- Instructional/Computer-Based Technology 3 credits
- FCS Methods I (taken concurrently with a practicum) 3 credits
- FCS Methods II (taken concurrently with a practicum) 3 credits
- Practica (two from 1-3 credits each) (Practica are concurrent with FCS Methods I & II) 2-6 credits
- Student Teaching (10 weeks minimum) 6-9 credits
- Research project/Action based research 1-3 credits
Other courses needed for Nebraska/licensure/certification (can be taken at undergraduate or graduate level)
- Family Science (or a Family Theories course)
- Child and Family Policy
- Philosophy or Logic/Critical Thinking
- Family Financial Planning
- Clothing and Human Behavior
- Nutrition
- Cultural Aspects of Food
- Food Safety and Sanitation
- Principles of Food Preparation/Lab
- Parenting
- Family Relations/Family Communication
- Human Sexuality
- Educational Foundations
Other requirements for licensure/certification in Nebraska
- 2.5 overall GPA
- Passing scores on Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)
Application Requirements & Process
Applications are considered on a continuing basis. It takes a minimum of one month (sometimes significantly longer) for your admissions to be processed. Apply in ample time whether you plan to begin your program in August, January, or May.
UNL Admissions Instructions
To apply you must send several items to (1) the Office of Graduate Studies, and three (3) additional items to (2) the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Application Process:
*Online application (Graduate Studies)
*$45 application fee (Graduate Studies)
*
Two official transcripts of all college work (Graduate Studies)
*3 Letters of Recommendation (Department)
*Intent Form (Department)
*Statement of Professional Goals (Department)
*TOEFL for all international students (Graduate Studies) International students whose primary language is not English must take the TOEFL Exam and submit the score the Office of Graduate Studies.
*Graduate Assistantship Application (if assistantship is desired, by February 1) (Department)
Items marked (Graduate Studies) must be originals and sent to:
Graduate Office
1100 Seaton Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68588-0619
Items marked (Department) can be sent to:
Graduate Support Services
135 Mabel Lee Hall
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln NE 68588-0236
GRE Scores
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not require the GRE for admission into the M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education program.
As a student enrolled in a UNL - GPIDEA course, you may be eligible for financial assistance. The links below will provide you with specific information regarding tuition issues and financial aid opportunities.
Teaching and Research Assistantships
Graduate Fellowship Opportunities
Loans and Need-Based Application Process - have to been in a program
The GPIDEA Program Coordinator will send instructions and course registration materials for each course. Students enroll for all courses through their home institution. This means students will have only one enrollment process to complete and one check to write. All coursework completed will immediately be recorded on your University of Nebraska transcript. Financial aid may also be easier to secure.
As stated above, students admitted to the program at the University of Nebraska enroll at UNL for all courses, whether they are taught at UNL or at a participating university. All courses have a common price of $415 per credit hour ($1245 per 3-hour course). There is no in-state or out-of-state tuition. This price will cover all course costs except textbook or course packet purchases.
Courses are taught online using a course management system accessed through your web browser. Some courses have supplemental materials on videos or CDs, and others may require phone conferencing. Interaction between students and faculty is via e-mail, phone conferencing, and the Internet classroom.
Textbooks and supplemental materials are required for each course and are the responsibility of the students.
Credit for previous graduate work will depend on the Graduate School requirements at your home university. UNL allows nine (9) hours to be transferred in upon the recommendation of your major professor. The courses must have been taken for graduate credit at an accredited university to be considered. Students will need to discuss this possibility with their advisor to determine if any courses can be substituted for required courses, or used as electives in their graduate program.
