Human and Consumer Sciences

Mission
The School of Human and Consumer Sciences’ mission is, through the integration of theory, research, and practice, to promote the quest for improvement of quality of life and the human condition. Programs in the School emphasize the relationships of the needs of individuals and families across the life span. Seven specific professional programs within the School, dietetics and food science; early childhood education; family and consumer sciences education; family studies; hotel, restaurant, and tourism; interior architecture; and retail merchandising, offer curricula leading to a specialized major. Through these majors, students prepare for professional roles in society that will enable them to contribute to the mission. Faculty, students, and advisory board members have established the following School-wide outcome objectives for student learning:

• Students will develop a knowledge base and the ability to acquire information in human and consumer sciences and in the specific professional program areas.
• Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively and will use methods that are appropriate to the content area, including oral, written, and graphic.
• Students will use creative and conceptual approaches in exploring problems and proposing solutions.
• Students will use methods of analysis and synthesis in their academic work.
• Students will develop professional attitudes and behaviors including the expectation of lifelong learning in their professional careers.
• Students will develop an ability to evaluate client and customer needs.
• Students will demonstrate respect for diversity among individuals and groups with a commitment to enhance quality of life.
• Students will develop advocacy for their professions with expectation of ethical leadership.
• Students will evaluate their experiences, both academic and professional, applying knowledge learned in their courses of study.