Skip to Content
Last Update:05/12/2009

Career Pathways/Programs of Study: Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences education provides individuals and families with essential knowledge and skills for managing the challenges of living and working in a diverse, global society. Individuals utilize these skills to enhance career and personal effectiveness, promote family strength and well-being, and pursue career options.

Programs of Study have been identified with a recommended sequence of courses leading to concentrated study in a Career Pathway. The needs of concentrators and students seeking elective courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum are met with the current curriculum framework.

Course Types

Family and Consumer Sciences sub-clusters consist of three types of courses:

Foundation Courses/Comprehensive Courses - In comprehensive courses, students develop knowledge and skills needed to manage all areas of their lives. Family and Consumer Sciences serves as the foundation course that provides core knowledge and skills in these areas. Comprehensive courses include:

  • Teen Living ( an introductory course for students in grades 5-8 and is not included in the concentrator sub-clusters )
  • Family and Consumer Sciences ( recommended as the first (foundation) course in the sequence of courses for concentrators in all sub-clusters with the exception of Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education Careers)
  • Adult Living (goes beyond core knowledge with a focus on the responsibilities of adulthood)

Specialized/Technical Courses – In specialized courses, students develop technical knowledge and skills related to the work of the family and within a chosen career concentration. Specialized courses include:

  • Consumer Economics
  • Family and Parenting Education
  • Child Development
  • Nutrition and Foods
  • Textiles and Apparel
  • Housing and Interior Design
  • Nutrition Science
  • Interpersonal Communications
  • Career Connections

Career/Occupationally Specific – In career courses, students complete their high school career program by developing technical and employability skills. Work-based learning strategies are essential to complete a career area. Career courses include:

  • Culinary Arts (Hospitality & Tourism Cluster)
  • Early Childhood Education Career
Program Of Study Sequences Of Courses Career Pathways

Family & Community Services

Family and Consumer Sciences
Consumer Economics
Family & Parenting Education
Child Development
Nutrition & Foods
Adult Living
Interpersonal Communications/Career Connections

Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher
County Extension Agent
Consumer Education/Affairs Director
Social Worker
Gerontologist
Public Health Educator
Freelance Consultant
Human Resources Director
Marriage and Family Therapist/Counselor
Family and Consumer Counselor
Consumer Advocate

Nutrition & Food Science

Family and Consumer Sciences
Nutrition Science
Nutrition & Foods
Consumer Economics
Adult Living
Interpersonal Communications/Career Connections

Food and Drug Inspector
Food Scientist
Quality Control Technician
Food Product Tester
Food Technologist
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Food Production Chemist

Applied Design-Textiles & Apparel/Housing & Interiors

Family and Consumer Sciences
Textiles and Apparel
Housing and Interior Design
Consumer Economics
Interpersonal Communications/Career Connections

Fashion Buyer/Designer
Interior Designer
Retail Sales Manager
Computer Imaging Consultant
Set Designer

Culinary Arts

Culinary Arts I
Culinary Arts II
Culinary Arts III
Career Connections/Interpersonal Communications

Food Technician
Dietary Assistant
Chef
Food Service Director
Hospitality Manager/Director
Convention Coordinator
Caterer

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Careers I
Early Childhood Education Careers II
Early Childhood Education Careers III

Child Care Center Director
Early Childhood Educator
Child Life Specialist/Child Psychologist
Psychologist/Psychiatrist
Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
Pediatrician