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Last Update:09/11/2009

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 (FACS) 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 (FACS) – is 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.
  • Life Connections – goes beyond core knowledge with a focus on the responsibilities family member, wage earner, and community leader.
  • Personal, Academic, and Career Excellence (PACE) – is a life-planning course designed for ninth grade students to develop a sense of relevance and ownership in their learning.

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:

  • Child and Lifespan Development
  • Consumer Economics
  • Family and Parenting
  • Fashion Design and Merchandising
  • Housing
  • Interior Design
  • Nutrition and Foods
  • Nutrition Science
  • Personal Finance
  • Teaching as a Profession
  • Textiles and Apparel

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  
  • Early Childhood Education Careers

Family & Consumer Sciences
Career Clusters and Programs of Study 2009-2015 (click to view the table)