What is Family & Consumer Sciences? Individuals & environments, Interactions & relationships, Improved quality of life for individuals & families.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Family & Consumer Sciences provides for concentrations in Child Development, Fashion Merchandising, and Nutrition/Dietetics.
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 opportunity for developing 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
American Dietetic Association
The American Dietetic Association is a national organization which promotes optimal nutrition and well being for all people by advocating for its members. Students admitted to the Coordinated Program in Dietetics are required to become student members of the American Dietetic Association.
Membership Benefits:
- Monthly issues of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and the ADA Times, a bi-monthly newsletter Opportunity
- Opportunity to hold appointed positions at the national and state levels as designated by the House of Delegates of ADA
- Professional networking opportunities
- Access to ADA’s member’s-only website and Pub-Med
- Receipt of several e-mail based publications
- Opportunity to learn more about specialized areas through membership in dietetic practice groups
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.
For a SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION, visit Ewing 391, call 662-846-4315, or email the division.
Hamilton Child Development Scholarship
- Given by Mr. Albert G. Hamilton in honor of his parents, A.G. and Velma Shelton Hamilton
- Awarded to a student majoring in Family & Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development
- Two scholarships up to $600 each are awarded each year
- Two recipients will receive up to $300 for fall and spring semester
- Recipients are selected by a committee
Requirements: Freshman or a current student with a Concentration in Child Development Maintain a GPA of 2.5(C+) or greater Show active participation in FCS activities and clubs
McQuagge Child Development Scholarship
- Given by Mrs. Atwell McQuagge in honor of her husband, Dr. Carl McQuagge.
- Awarded annually to a Mississippi resident majoring in Family & Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Child Development
- May be awarded to one or two students
- If two students receive the scholarship, each will receive up to $250 per semester.
- If only one student is named, up to $500 will be given at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters for a total up to $1000 per year
- Recipients will be selected by committee
Requirements: Resident of Mississippi freshman or a current student with a concentration in Child Development, maintain a GPA of 2.5 (C+) or greater, have good moral character and show active participation in FCS activities and clubs.
Student Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Scholarship
- Established to allow growth and promotion of the program
- Allows professional growth
- Awarded to an active member of SAFCS
- The application should be completed and returned to the Division by January of each year
Requirements: SAFCS/MAFCS member of AAFCS Family & Consumer Sciences Major Sophomore or Junior in good standing with a 2.5 overall GPA/3.0 GPA in FCS Attendance and participation at local, state, and national conferences Professional attitude
Mary Stansel Harvey Professionalism Scholarship
Mary Stansel Harvey was an assistant professor in the Home Economics Department from 1961 to 1979. She actively promoted the values of professionalism through classroom education and role modeling. The purpose of the Mary Stansel Harvey Professionalism Scholarship is to promote and recognize the values of professionalism demonstrated so vividly by Mary Stansel Harvey throughout her professional career and in her personal life. It is the intent of this scholarship to provide a mechanism for the ongoing promotion of the values of professionalism within the profession of Family and Consumer Sciences. It is the spirit of this endowed scholarship to perpetuate the legacy of professionalism demonstrated by Mary Stansel Harvey. The scholarship was endowed through the founding contributions made by Mary Stansel Harvey and her family. This is an annual scholarship awarded in the spring of each year. The recipient will also receive a plaque. The selection of the recipient will be made at the discretion of the Division of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Requirements: Junior status Family & Consumer Sciences Major Demonstration of professionalism both in academic and personal life Show a commitment to the area of Family & Consumer Sciences through participation in a related professional organization and service to the Division Have the potential to be an ongoing role model for the Profession
Other Opportunities for Scholarships in Family & Consumer Sciences
There are opportunities for scholarships through many national foundations as well as those dedicated specifically for Family and Consumer Sciences. Below are two websites that have information on additional scholarship opportunities.
A.N.D. Scholarship and Financial Aid Program The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, through its many association groups, offers a variety of scholarships and educational stipends to individuals pursuing undergraduate and advanced degrees in dietetics or food and nutrition related areas.
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.