Division of Family and Consumer Sciences

Division of Family & Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences is the study of interactions of individuals with their environment and with each other. The primary objective is to improve the quality of life with a focus on the family unit.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Family & Consumer Sciences provides for concentrations in Child Development and Fashion Merchandising.

The mission of the Division is to provide professional education in Family and Consumer Sciences, to provide complementary educational experiences for other disciplines, and to provide individuals an opportunity to develop competencies that enhance the quality of life.

Student Association of Family & Consumer Sciences

Get involved in programs and experiences with SAFCS at Delta State! Expand professionally while contributing to the growth and promotion of Family & Consumer Sciences. Joining SAFCS introduces members into the profession, develops professional attitudes and abilites, and applies classroom learning to real-world experience.

Join today! Must be an undergraduate student majoring or minoring in Family & Consumer Sciences to be eligible.

Kappa Omicron Nu

Empowering leaders through scholarship, research, and leadership!

Kappa Omicron Nu is a national honor society for Family and Consumer Sciences. Kappa Omicron Nu provides not only recognition and honor, but also lifelong opportunities for networking, personal growth, and professional growth through education and service. Members have distinguished academic records and great potential as a professional.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Family and Consumer Sciences major
  • Complete 45 semester hours or the equivalent, with at least 23 of these hours in residences at Delta State
  • Earn a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Rank in the top 25% of class
  • Receive recommendation by the faculty

Membership Benefits: – scholarships, fellowships, and grants – internship scholarships – a national network of colleagues – participation in a learning community – newsletters and a refereed scholarly journal – local and national leadership opportunities – publication opportunities – preference for federal jobs

American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences

The American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) is a national professional association. Membership in this Association provides membership in the state affiliate, the Mississippi Association of Family & Consumer Sciences. Student membership in AAFCS is available and encouraged. To join, students must first become a member of the Student Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (listed above).

Membership Benefits:

  • Professional networking opportunities
  • Receipt of the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, published four times a year
  • A Teacher Resource Directory
  • A PR/Media Tool Kit

Click here to go to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Homepage

Professional Certification

The CFCS Credential is a professional certification available to any student majoring in Family & Consumer Sciences. This is a credential that indicates professional expertise.

To acquire the CFCS Credential, one makes application, pays a fee and takes an examination administered at various sites around the nation. Completion of this process enables a professional to use the designation CFCS after their name.

Two other credentials are an option for students who concentrate in nutrition/dietetics and complete the coordinated program in dietetics. These credentials indicate professional expertise. The RD (Registered Dietitian) is a professional designation granted by the Commission on Dietetic Registration after completion of the Registration Examination for Dietitians. A second credential, LD (Licensed Dietitian), will need to be obtained in those states that require licensure. Mississippi is a state that requires dietitians to be licensed. This credential can be obtained in Mississippi prior to passing the Registration Examination for Dietitians by applying and paying the fee for licensure.

Retention Rates

Fall to Fall Retention Rates
F17 to F18 F18 to F19 F19 to F20 F20 to F21 F21 to F22
FCS Students Retained in FCS 80% 67% 0% 50% 67%
DSU Overall 67% 67% 67% 65% 64%
Retention rates are based on the percentage of first-time Family and Consumer Science students beginning in the Fall listed and returned the following Fall with the same degree. 

Success Rates

Fall to Fall Retention Rates
Fall 2017 Fall 2018 Fall 2019 Fall 2020 Fall 2021
All Students Enrolled 132 91 79 78 68
Returning Following Fall 55 44 47 47 37
Graduated Before Following Fall 51 25 25 14 19
Fall to Fall Success Rate 80% 76% 91% 78% 82%
Success rates are based on the number of students enrolled in the semester listed who returned the following Fall or graduated before it.

Graduation Rates

6-Year Graduation Rates for Fall 2016 Cohort
FCS students graduated within FCS 63%
FCS students graduated from any college 0%
DSU Overall 46%
SOURCE: IHL Student File, IHL Degree File

Enrollment by Major

Family and Consumer Sciences
Year Fall Spring
AY 2023 55  
AY 2022 68 60
AY 2021 78 70
 AY 2020 79 88
AY 2019 91 87
AY 2018 132 125
AY 2017 133 129
AY 2016 126 134
AY 2015 132 131
AY 2014 116 121
AY 2013 98 94
AY 2012 104 95
AY 2011 122 105

 

Enrollment by Concentration/Program

Child Development
Year Fall Spring
AY 2023 38  
AY 2022 34 33
AY 2021 36 33
AY 2020 40 43
AY 2019 48 46
AY 2018 77 72
AY 2017 73 79
AY 2016 80 80
AY 2015 78 83
AY 2014 73 74
Food and Nutrition Management
Year Fall Spring
AY 2023 5 0
AY 2022 9 8
AY 2021 11 10
AY 2020 2 4
AY 2019 4 2
AY 2018 8 8
AY 2016 5 4
Fashion Merchandising
Year Fall Spring
AY 2023 7  
AY 2022 11 10
AY 2021 11 10
AY 2020 10 12
AY 2019 16 14
AY 2018 17 13
AY 2017 18 18
AY 2016 18 17
AY 2015 17 13
AY 2014 13 12
Nutrition/Dietetics
Year Fall Spring
AY 2023 2 2
AY 2022 12 7
AY 2021 22 19
AY 2020 27 29
AY 2019 23 25
AY 2018 30 32
AY 2017 36 27
AY 2016 35 28
AY 2015 38 34
AY 2014 30 33

Program outcomes are available upon request. Please email cabailey@deltastate.edu for information.