Family and Consumer Sciences - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Help youth and families Flourish in their communities

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.

Why study Family and Consumer Sciences at UW-Stevens Point?

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.

Sample Graduation Plan Academic and Career Advising Scholarships and Aid

Option: Child Life and Family Studies

Child life and family studies students at UW-Stevens Point are nationally certified to work with families in a variety of settings, agencies and programs. Graduates take positions working in childcare, youth centers, adoption agencies, family crisis and elder care programs. Additionally, the Child Life Specialist Preparation Certificate leads to an occupation in which child life specialists provide evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation and education that reduce fear, anxiety, and pain for children and youth.

Course Catalog Child Life Specialist Preparation Certificate

Option: FCS Teacher Education

Become certified to teach family and consumer sciences in elementary and secondary schools and technical institutions or community colleges through the family and consumer sciences-teacher education program at UW-Stevens Point.

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.

Course Catalog

Family and Consumer Sciences – Child Life and Family Studies

Insights of Interns

Jessica Lange

Jessica Lange interned with the UWSP Academic and Career Advising Center as an academic peer adviser where she led group meetings for first-year students on topics including campus resources, the registration process, and major and career exploration.

Insights of Interns

Family and Consumer Sciences-Teacher Education

Hired Before Graduation

Sydney Petersen ’23 and Gabe Retzlaff ’23

Sydney Petersen and Gabe Retzlaff were hired before graduation at Neenah High School as a family and consumer sciences teachers.

Hired Before Graduation

Alumni Map

Where are they now?

UW-Stevens Point alumni live and work all over the world—so if you’re looking for networking opportunities close to a new home or contact info for fellow Pointer in another city, you’re in luck. Looking for a fellow Pointer near you or want to add your pin? Start with our map.

Alumni Map

What to Expect?

As a family and consumer sciences major, you’ll learn about issues that influence individuals, families, and communities. Your learning experiences will cover topics related to basic human needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, and complex matters like child development, consumer economics, and family relationships, equipping 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

An undergraduate degree in family and consumer sciences also prepares you to complete a  graduate-level teaching licensure program  or pursue a master’s degree in fields such as:

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.

Family and Consumer Sciences

Navigate Your Major

Major Maps help students map their first day to the first job in their chosen field. While a four-year plan outlines classes to get a degree, Major Maps help students learn how to build career-ready skills and experiences outside the classroom. Each Major Map shows how students can get the most of their UW-Stevens Point journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond. It’s a roadmap to discovering your purpose!

Major Map

United Kingdom

Study Abroad

International Perspectives on Family and Consumer Sciences

Through excursions in the United Kingdom, readings, discussions, and the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) conference attendance, family and consumer sciences students from UW-Stevens Point will explore research, practice, and education related to the field of FCS June 12-30, 2024. The IFHE annual conference is an opportunity for students to learn about current global issues and research, best practices, and emerging trends in relation to FCS, as well as an excellent opportunity to network with other FCS professionals. The conference regularly attracts over 1,000 students and professionals from around the globe. The 2024 conference will take place in Galway, Ireland. Led by Prof. Susan Turgeson, students will share their experiences along the way.

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Meet Your Faculty and Staff

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.

View all our faculty/staff