Family Consumer Science trains future professionals to promote the well-being of individuals and families through degrees in dietetics, child development and family studies, and family consumer science education. We also offer minors in consumer studies and child development and family studies and a certificate in child, youth and family studies.

Why Our Students Say "Yes to FCS!"

Career Opportunities

Graduates of our Family Consumer Science (FCS) are prepared to work in a variety of settings including hospitals, medical clinics, nursing homes, nonprofits, health clubs, private practices, schools and educational settings, group homes, day cares, Head Start, food companies, and restaurants.

More about our programs, student experiences, and careers

Real-World Experiences

Specialized equipment and facilities, designed for FCS students including:

  • Food Science lab for experiementing and sensory testing
  • Food lab for food prep and testing
  • Textiles lab with specialized clothing construction equipment
  • FCS Education classroom with state-of-the art teaching materials
  • Nutrition assessment lab designed for nutrition education, body composition and energy need testing

Clubs and student organizations

  • American Association of FCS at Minnesota State Mankato (AAFCS-MSU)
  • Child Development & Family Studies Club
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron (honorary)
  • Student Dietetic and Nutrition Organization (SDNO)

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Dietetics

The Dietetics program provides the highest quality advisory, academic, and interactive opportunities all while developing confidence and competency for advancement following graduation to supervised practice, graduate studies or related employment.

Child Development and Family Studies, BS

With an emphasis on understanding human development and family related issues, our accredited program will prepare you to work with children, adults, and families in a variety of human service, educational and leadership settings or pursue a graduate degree. 

Family Consumer Science Education

Our undergraduate and graduate programs in Family Consumer Science (FCS) Education will prepare you for a career as an educator in the FCS field.

Child, Youth & Family ServicesComputer screen.

A fully online 18-credit Certificate in Child, Youth, & Family Services is available to Minnesota State University, Mankato students or as a stand-alone certificate.

Minor in Food and Nutrition

Food and Nutrition introduces students to major concepts in food, nutrition, food systems and policies. The minor is helpful minor for students in health, fitness, food or agriculture-related majors.

Minor in Child Development and Family Studies

Child Development and Family Studies is for students seeking to complement their current major with a variety of courses with systemic and developmental theory, real-world application, ethical decision-making, and professional writing.

Minor in Consumer Studies

Consumer Studies examines decision making of everything from credit to debt to insurance to saving and investments to estate planning to daily consumer choice and more.

About Family Consumer Science

Learn more about Family Consumer Science (FCS) career opportunities, how our programs might be the right fit for you, and how to declare your major.