Family and Consumer Sciences 2011-2012

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Department of Family & Consumer Sciences


Location: 118 Family & Consumer Sciences Building, Phone: 409.880.8663 Chair: Amy Shows

Degree Coordinators:

Family and Consumer Sciences General: Amy Shows, 409.880.8663, 118 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification: Connie Ruiz, 409.880.8668, 122 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Dietetics: Connie Ruiz, 409.880.8668, 122 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Foods and Nutrition: Connie Ruiz, 409.880.8668, 122 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Family Studies: Kimberly A. Wallet, 409.880.8970, 124 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Fashion Retailing and Merchandising: Carol Hall, 409.880.8667, 132 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Interior Design: Richard Gachot, 409.880.8670, 126 Family & Consumer Sciences Building
Hospitality Administration: Molly Dahm, 409.880.1744, 128 Family & Consumer Sciences Building

Faculty

Professor: Amy Shows
Associate Professor: Jau-Jiin Chen, Molly Dahm, Connie Ruiz, Kim Wallet
Assistant Professor: Richard Gachot, Jan Kimmons, Greg Thompson Instructor: Charles Duit, Jill Killough
Adjunct Instructor: Willie Broussard, Deanna Eldred, Linzay Fontenot, Natalie Long, Stephanie Turkel, Amber Woodard

Degrees Offered

Family and Consumer Sciences Degree Plans

Undergraduate : Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences with specializations in

  • Family and Consumer Sciences General
  • Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification
  • Dietetics
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Family Studies
  • Fashion Retailing and Merchandising
  • Interior Design
  • Hospitality Administration

Graduate: Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) offers undergraduate instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. Students may choose from the following degree plans: general family and consumer sciences, teacher certification, foods and nutrition, dietetics, family studies, fashion retailing and merchandising, interior design, and hospitality administration.

Students may minor in Family and Consumer Sciences by earning 18 semester hours of credit approved by the department chair. The Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences will be awarded upon the completion of the following requirements:

  • Meet the University's degree requirements as described in the section on Academic Policies and Procedures
  • Complete the Family and Consumer Sciences core curriculum requirements: 1) Approved upper level FCSC core course; 2) FCSC 4301 Senior Seminar
  • Attain a 2.0 grade point average in FCS courses
  • Complete one of the Family and Consumer Sciences degree programs described in this catalog.

Family and Consumer Sciences General

Advisor: Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg. The general program provides a broad background of preparation for the student who wishes to work as a Family and Consumer Sciences Professional in one of many varied career options. Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Certification

The teacher certification program provides professional training for careers requiring technical knowledge of family and consumer sciences, as well as expertise in instructional methods. Students must meet admission and certification requirements of the Lamar University Teacher Education Program outlined elsewhere in this catalog. Several courses in the FCS Teacher Certification degree plan are taught through the Texas Family and Consumer Sciences Distance Education Alliance. The Alliance is a statewide network of Texas universities offering on-line courses to maximize educational resources through inter-institutional collaboration. During academic advising, students are made aware of Alliance course offerings.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Dietetics

Advisors: Connie Ruiz, 122 FCS Bldg. Jau Jiin Chen, 116 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg.

This academic curriculum is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) as a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for an ADA-accredited dietetic internship. After successful completion of an internship, an individual is eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians and, upon passing, become a Registered Dietitian.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Foods and Nutrition

Advisors: Connie Ruiz, 122 FCS Bldg. Jau Jiin Chen, 116 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg.

A student selecting the Foods and Nutrition Program works closely with the advisor in structuring a course of study compatible with the student's career goals and nutrition interests. The student has the opportunity to obtain an 18-hour concentration in a related field, such as health, science, business, hospitality management, psychology, kinesiology, etc.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Family Studies

Advisors: Kimberly A. Wallet, 124 FCS Bldg. Greg Thompson, 111 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg.

The Family Studies program prepares the student for careers with community service

agencies that serve children and families. Courses equip the student to assist individuals and families in the pursuit of optimal personal development and strong family relationships. A specialization in Family Studies also provides a rich foundation for graduate education in areas such as family law, social science research, and marriage and family therapy. In their final year, students participate in a field experience with an approved social service agency of individual interest.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Fashion Retailing and Merchandising

Advisors: Carol Hall, 132 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows 118 FCS Bldg. The Fashion Retailing and Merchandising specialization provides professional training for positions in fashion coordination, visual merchandising, buying and retail management. The curriculum includes on-the-job training through a field experience program. Students have opportunities to study in international fashion centers.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Interior Design

Advisors: Richard Gachot, 126 FCS Bldg. Janice Kimmons, 123 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg.

The Interior Design program is based on meeting needs of contemporary design. Foundation courses provide the student with requisite technical skills while supporting courses provide a multicultural and professional background. A progressive sequence of four studio classes provides the opportunity to explore and develop increasingly complex problem solving within a range of interior design projects. A specialization in interior design can lead to careers in particular fields of healthcare, hospitality, commercial, and residential. Related areas such as construction, real estate, vendor sales and architecture are also possible career choices. Lamar interior design students maintain active chapters in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), involving members in field experiences, student exhibitions and design competitions.

Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 120

Hospitality Administration

Advisors: Molly Dahm, 128 FCS Bldg. Amy Shows, 118 FCS Bldg.

The Hospitality Administration program is designed to provide students with the competencies necessary for success in the hospitality and travel industry. The program prepares students for a wide variety of management careers, including positions in hotels, restaurants, resorts, private clubs, catering operations, events centers, school and hospital foodservices, cruise ships and other transport services, as well as procurement and vendor supplies. Students may specialize in food and beverage, lodging or culinary arts management. The program also features an accredited culinary arts certification (American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission). Students may graduate as certified culinarians. Scholarships are available from local, state and national restaurant, chefs, and hotel and lodging associations Suggested Program of Study – Total Min. Hours: 122

Graduate Program: MS in Family and Consumer Sciences

Graduate Coordinator: Kimberly A. Wallet, 124 FCS Bldg.

The Master of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) allows students to choose courses in foods and nutrition, family studies and other areas within the field. An internship in Dietetics (DI) is available at Lamar. Fifteen of the 27 credit hours required in the DI may be applied toward the M.S. degree.

For admission, the Department of FCS requires all applicants to meet the GRE and GPA formula (GPA X 200) + (GRE V+Q) > 1350. The GPA used in the formula may be either the overall undergraduate GPA or the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate work, whichever is higher. The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by semester hours considered (either the total number of semester hours attempted or by the last sixty semester hours). For this computation "A" equals 4 grade points, "B" equals 3, "C" equals 2, "D" equals 1, and "F" equals 0. In addition, an applicant must score a minimum of 350 on the verbal section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

A limited number of scholarships and graduate assistantships are available. Contact the Department Chair for details.

If a student's undergraduate degree is in a discipline other than FCS or one of its subject matter areas, the student is required to complete undergraduate course work. The graduate advisor works closely with the student to determine any undergraduate deficiencies.

Degree Requirements

All graduate students in the Department are required to complete FCSC 5300 and a graduate statistics course. The remainder of each student's program of study is developed according to the student's professional goals and interests.

Thesis route: This option consists of 30 credit hours. The thesis counts for six hours and the course work comprises 24 hours. Six credit hours may be taken in other departments.

Nonthesis route: A student electing this option will complete 36 hours of course work, 12 of which may be taken in other departments. Non-thesis students are required to pass a comprehensive written and an oral exam covering course work completed during the graduate program.