The family and consumer sciences (FCS) program at UW-Stevens Point is one of the largest offered in the country. Our program, which is approved by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) and provides coursework that meets the standards required for graduates to obtain the Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) designation, offers two options:

• Child Life and Family Studies: Be nationally certified to work with families in a variety of environments, agencies and programs. Child life and family studies graduates are often employed in community-based education, childcare settings, adoption agencies, family crisis centers and eldercare programs. Completion of 10 specific courses fulfills the academic requirements on the path to becoming a child life specialist.
  
• Certified Teacher Education: Be certified to teach family and consumer sciences in elementary and secondary schools and technical institutions or community colleges.

Explore Career Opportunities in Family and Consumer Sciences

As a family and consumer sciences major, you’ll take courses in areas such as human development, sociology and communication where you’ll learn about issues that influence individuals, families and communities. Your learning experiences will cover topics as basic as food, shelter and clothing, and as complex as child development, consumer economics and family relationships and equips you for a variety of career options such as:

• FCS teacher in middle and high schools
• community agency director
• child life specialist
• sexual assault victims advocate
• family life and parenting coach

• community and organizational leadership
• guidance and counseling
• marriage and family therapy
• social work
• student affairs

Get Involved on Campus

Recognized nationwide, our student organizations present at conferences from Wisconsin Dells to San Diego. Students network with professionals and stay up-to-date on contemporary issues in the field.

• Child Life Association of Stevens Point (CLASP)
  
• Stevens Point Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (SPAFCS)
• University Council on Family Relations Stevens Point (UCFR)

Gain Experience Outside the Classroom

As part of your training you have the opportunity to put your skills to use working side-by-side with professionals such as student teaching in an FCS classroom or interning at foster care agencies, YMCAs or Boys and Girls Clubs in positions that often lead to jobs after graduation.

In preparation for a diverse and global world, students are also encouraged to participate in one of our diversity immersion service learning programs. Past programs included projects in Romania, China, Puerto Rico and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Reservation in South Dakota.

Meet Your Family and Consumer Sciences Professors

The faculty and staff members of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness are committed to developing professionals who study, promote and model lifelong wellness for individuals, families and communities, building a stronger, healthier community.