About

Are you thinking about pursuing a career in teaching? Would you want to teach life skills such as cooking, designing, and child development?

The family and consumer sciences (FACS) program at East Carolina University trains students to teach many different subject areas to middle and high school students. As a FACS major, you will gain experience in different areas such as human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition/wellness, textiles/apparel, and consumer issues.

Students have opportunity to develop leadership skills essential to lead student organizations for middle and high school students. As there is a shortage of FACS educators throughout the state and nation, jobs in this career path are plentiful.

ECU Advantage

Students who study FACS at East Carolina are exposed to all aspects of the major. They are provided hands-on experience in top-notch facilities to assure a quality education. FACS majors are surrounded by a faculty that is ready to teach and prepare them for a future in the field of education.

FACS job placement is near 100 percent. Our licensed teachers are in one of the few educational fields where demand exceeds graduates. In addition to the classroom, other FACS alumni have found rewarding careers in Cooperative Extension Services or other education agencies such as vocational education, workforce development programs, and career services.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Alana Freeman (126 Rivers Building West; 252-737-1732; freemanal23@ecu.edu)

Freshmen may declare family and consumer sciences (FACS) teacher education as their major. Transfer students must have completed at least 12 s.h. at East Carolina University with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 to declare. Prior to enrolling in selected courses, all FACS students must be admitted to the Upper Division of Teacher Education. Requirements for admission to upper division include, but are not limited to, satisfactory scores on PRAXIS Core, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7, and demonstration of computer competency. In addition, FACS majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) in all courses required for the major. Students earning less than a C (2.0) in a prerequisite major course must repeat the course before the subsequent upper-level course may be taken. FACS students are required to complete the ServSafe Manager Certificate prior to graduation.

Applications for admission to internship must be submitted to the internship coordinator one year prior to the semester in which the student will complete internship requirements. For admission to internship, FACS majors must have a minimum grade of C (2.0) in the early experience (FACS 2123), methods courses (FACS 2380, FACS 4317, FACS 4323), and EDUC 3200. A minimum grade of C (2.0) in internship (FACS 4324) is required for licensure. Additional information about upper division, internship, and licensure can be found in the College of Education section of this catalog and in the handbook, Welcome to Teacher Education.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education and special requirements for certification including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • ART 1001 - Color and Design OR
  • ART 1910 - Art Appreciation

  • COMM 2020 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication OR
  • COMM 2410 - Public Speaking

  • ECON 2113 - Principles of Microeconomics OR
  • SOCI 2110 - Introduction to Sociology

  • MATH 1050 - Explorations in Mathematics OR
  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra OR
  • MATH 2127 - Basic Concepts of Mathematics

  • PSYC 1000 - Introductory Psychology
  • PSYC 3206 - Developmental Psychology
  • Choose a literature course (GE:HU)
2. Professional studies - 33 s.h.
  • EDTC 4001 - Technology in Education
  • EDUC 3002 - Introduction to Diversity
  • EDUC 3200 - Foundations of American Education
  • FACS 2123 - Early Experience in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • FACS 4317 - Curriculum Development
  • FACS 4323 - Methods of Teaching Family and Consumer Sciences
  • FACS 4324 - Internship in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • FACS 4325 - Internship Seminar: Issues in Family and Consumer Sciences Education
  • READ 3990 - Teaching Reading in the Content Areas in the Secondary School
  • SPED 2000 - Introduction to Exceptional Children
  • SPED 4010 - Effective Instruction in Inclusive Classrooms
3. Core - 33-34 s.h.
  • HDFS 1103 - Individual, Family, and Romantic Relationships
  • HDFS 2000 - Child Development I: Prenatal Through Early Childhood
  • HDFS 2001 - Child Development II: Middle Childhood Through Young Adulthood
  • HDFS 3002 - Family Systems and Parenting Across the Life Cycle
  • HDFS 3215 - The Family As Consumers
  • HDFS 4390 - Family Resource Management
  • FACS 1180 - Housing and Interior Design
  • FACS 2380 - Apparel and Textiles for Family and Consumer Sciences
  • MRCH 2239 - Fashion and Culture

  • NUTR 1000 - Contemporary Nutrition OR
  • NUTR 2105 - Nutrition Science

  • NUTR 2330 - Food Science AND
  • NUTR 2331 - Food Science Laboratory
    • OR
  • HMGT 2300 - Principles of Food Preparation and Menu Planning AND
  • HMGT 2301 - Principles of Food Preparation and Menu Planning Laboratory
4. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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