Family and Consumer Science (B.S.) with K-12 Teaching Certification

Family and Consumer Science (B.S.) with K-12 Teaching Certification

School of Business, Education and Social Sciences

Department of Human Development and Family Sciences

Passionate about the well-being of families, children, teenagers and older adults? Thinking about a career focused on making a fundamental difference in the lives of others? Then check out Messiah’s fully accredited Family and Consumer Sciences Education major.  One of only five such majors in Pennsylvania, Messiah’s program teaches you how to enhance the well-being of others by providing them with practical knowledge about everyday life issues like child development, personal decision-making, relationship skills, family resource management, nutrition, human sexuality, parenting, and more. 

You’ll delve into topics such as: infant care, child development, and even mate-selection from a cultural and family-system perspective. And beyond the classroom, this major at Messiah will also give you lots of hands-on opportunities to participate in school settings, develop curricula, and work one-on-one with our faculty. 

As a family and consumer sciences major at Messiah College, you’ll be able to:

• Take courses in human development and family science, education, food and nutrition, and early childhood education.
• Join the Messiah College Council on Family Relations (MCCFR) – a student professional organization affiliated with the National Council on Family Relations.
• Attend professional conferences and even co-present papers with faculty.
• Study abroad for a semester in Thailand, Greene, England, New Zealand and more!
• Be well prepared for a career as a school counselor.
• Develop an independent study program in an area of family science that particularly interests you.
• Network with others at a department retreat, alumni career panel or (as appropriate) through the "Men of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS)" group.
• Become an Open House Diplomat and share information and your enthusiasm about the department with prospective students.
• Earn a Smith Scholar internship, which allows qualified students to work in apprentice relationships with faculty members.
• Learn about children by observing at the campus Early Learning Center (ELC).

Major Requirements:

PDF Course Listing

Minors:

• Children & Youth Services
  (PDF Course Listing)
• Children & Youth Services for HDFS Majors (PDF Course Listing)
• Gerontology (PDF Course Listing)
• Human Development & Family Science
  (PDF Course Listing)
• Multicultural Families (PDF Course Listing)
• Gender Studies (PDF Course Listing)
• Pre-Counseling and Therapy
  (PDF Course Listing)