Family and Consumer Sciences Business / Multidisciplinary

Find a flexible future with a multidisciplinary approach to Family and Consumer Sciences Business

Want to make a change in the world with the flexibility of customizing your path? SC State University’s Family and Consumer Sciences Business/Multidisciplinary tract could be right for you.

Students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences Business/Multidisciplinary Tract have the opportunity to develop a customized pathway to match their career goals.

This degree prepares students to pursue and establish careers that will improve the quality of life of individuals, families, and/or the community. This program incorporates selected concepts from the fields of business, consumer economics, community engagement, family studies, human growth and development, management, and nutrition.

Most courses selected from other disciplines or those completed prior to the selection of this major are in the human sciences or applied sciences. The broad range of topics learned within this program allows students to be prepared for careers in traditional academic settings, community education, business, industry, government, and health and human services.

If you started a degree but did not finish or are returning after an extended amount of time, you’ll appreciate the flexibility of acceptable courses that can be applied to this program of study. 

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Scholarship Opportunities

• Marian Baxter Paul Endowed Scholarship
• Sara A. Waymer Scholarship
• Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty/Alumni Scholarship
• Leola Adams Leaders Scholarship in Family and Consumer Sciences

What you will learn

You’ll take a variety of courses in child development, family and consumer sciences, fashion merchandising, and nutrition. Popular courses include:

• Home Environment Technology. This course allows you to study the current trends as it relates to home living. Students are afforded the opportunity to discover how the housing market is consistently changing. Special emphasis is placed on the technological advancements in the housing industry.
• Marriage and Family Relations. One of the most popular courses in the department, this course allows you to take a deep-dive into topic such as relationships, mate selection, alternative lifestyles, gender roles, marital adjustments, parenting, and handling family crises. Societal trends are constantly updated to address the ever-changing needs of marriages, families, and relationships. Students highlight the ability to openly voice their opinions on sensitive topics as one of the hallmarks of the course.
• Adult Development. This course allows you to take a glimpse into the common developmental stages they will face as adults. In addition, students are afforded the opportunity to explore common patterns exhibited at various stages of adulthood. You will make connections to behaviors you observe in family members as it relates to the concepts taught in the course. You will develop applicable and realistic solutions the most common challenges that adults face.
• Restaurant and Apparel Store Entrepreneurship. You will learn the entrepreneurial aspects of restaurants and apparel retail. Special emphasis is placed on branding, marketing, management, and operations. A signature staple of the course allows students to develop a business concept and create a business plan.

Practical experience is a must.

Students majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Business/Multidisciplinary are required to take FCS 426: Internship in Family and Consumer Sciences. You will be placed at a site directly related to your career goals. Actions exhibited during the internship should highlight concepts learned in their respective program. This experience provides additional insight on the various career and graduate school opportunities that are available. In addition to completing 150 hours of experiential experience, emphasis is placed on career development.

Topics covered in this course consists of the following:

• Preparing for your career workplace success.
• Appreciation for diversity in the workplace personal brand.
• Online presence networking for your career resumes.
• Cover letters.
• Preparing for the interview life after SC State University.
• Successful completion of this course strengthens students’ preparedness to enter the workforce or graduate school.

Who will support you?

Dr. LaToya N. Johnson serves as the academic advisor for the Family and Consumer Sciences Business/Multidisciplinary majors. She takes a developmental advising approach when working with students. On average, she spends a minimum of 15 minutes with each student to address concerns they have as it relates to academic and career options.

Special attention is given to the 21-credit hour requirement that is required for the “Option” component of the curriculum. Students are advised on making appropriate course selections as it relates to intended plans for their first entry-level position or attending graduate school immediately after graduation. In addition, advisement also consists of determining out-of-class experiences such as experiential learning activities and internships that should be pursued.

Professional development

Students majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences Business have the opportunity to participate in the following student organizations

• Fashion Merchandising Association (F.M.A.)
• FCS Student Unit
• Kappa Omicron Nu (Honor’s Society)
• Nutrition Association

Career Talk Tuesday Sessions are held within the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in order to expose students to the various careers associated with Family and Consumer Sciences Business/Multidisciplinary. Students have an opportunity to interact with professionals and to explore career opportunities that they may never have taken into consideration.

Fields of related interest.

• Criminal Justice.
• Early Childhood Education.
• Elementary Education.
• Psychology.
• Social Work.
• Sociology.