Family and Consumer Sciences

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is to equip students with knowledge and skills in one specialization of Family and Consumer Sciences, and to help support the students' development toward a personal commitment to improving 1) the lives of individuals and families in their professional endeavors, 2) the lives of community members, and 3) personal family life.

Purposes

To prepare students to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the multiple factors that influence the development and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities throughout the lifespan.
2. Identify appropriate resources to use in application for problem solving. 
3. Analyze research data or original published works and use critical thinking skills for evaluating products, research, or theories.
4. Examine the value of societal diversity and ethical treatment of others as a result of their Christian faith.
5. Identify specialization career paths and develop an appropriate career plan within a profession of Family and Consumer Sciences. 

Tradition of Excellence

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences emphasizes the many dimensions of human functioning and the importance of studying all its aspects. The department seeks to prepare students for service and leadership in professions with strong family and consumer sciences skills to optimize the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The faculty is committed to developing and maintaining a close relationship with the students in the department. Point Loma Nazarene University is one of a few small, private universities in California to offer an accredited Dietetics program and majors in Family and Consumer Sciences, Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, and Child and Adolescent Development. Child and Adolescent Development majors receive the added benefit of an on-site laboratory pre-school. The curriculum, combined with the faculty’s dedication to being involved in students’ lives, provides students with excellent opportunities to move into challenging graduate programs or their chosen profession.

Career Opportunities

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares students for careers in business, industry, public and private agencies, schools, and institutions that provide goods, services, education, and information to consumers and families. Many students have become teachers, school administrators, social service agents, family/adult educators, manufacturer’s representatives, fashion directors, interior consultants/coordinators, community service agents, nutrition educators, and healthcare specialists.

Majors
Child and Adolescent Development
Dietetics
Family and Consumer Sciences
Fashion and Interiors
        Concentrations
        Fashion Merchandising
        Interior Design
Nutrition and Food
        Concentrations
        Food Service Management
        Nutrition and Health
 
Minors
Child Development
Nutrition

Course Descriptions

Faculty

Nancy K. Murray, Ph.D.
University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Susan DeCristofaro Rogers, M.A.
Point Loma Nazarene University
Academic Director-Early Childhood Learning Center

Cindy Swann, M.S., R.D.
San Diego State University 
Director of Dietetics

Kay M. Wilder, Ed.D., C.F.C.S., Chair
Northern Arizona University