Family Economics

The study of family and consumer economics within the field of family science prepares students to work with individuals and families to manage their resources. The family science curriculum emphasizes the importance of resources such as time, money and information for families, and how families can learn to use these resources to maximize their quality of life. Students become prepared to work with families experiencing financial difficulties, or who have money to save and invest. Students also become informed of consumer rights and responsibilities to advocate for consumers, and learn how to work with low income families to create or extend human and financial resources. Coursework in this area helps students to understand the interaction between families, economic well-being, and public policy.

Field Experience

Each of the undergraduate options also includes a credit in field experience as a critical part of their program of study. All students are given the opportunity to work in a professional placement during their undergraduate program. This requirement enables students to apply their course work to a professional position as they prepare to move into important careers children, youth, adolescents, older adults and families in various settings.

The Facilities

Facilities for the Department of Human Development and Family Science are housed in the Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall and the Family Life Center. Included in these buildings are classrooms, conference rooms and a child development laboratory serving young children and their families. The laboratory provides day care services for infants, toddlers and preschool children and is used as a training facility for CDFS students. Children between the ages of 6 weeks and 5 years are enrolled in the center. The equipment in the center is appropriate for young children and for children with special needs. The department also has a Family Therapy Center which provides services to couples and families.

Community Setting

The Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area offers a conducive setting for study. Students have the opportunity to work in a number of community institutions serving children and families. Professionals working with the elderly, child care programs, mental health centers, chemical dependency treatment centers, medical facilities and welfare agencies visit classes and conduct tours to explain their programs for children and families.

Co-Curricular Opportunities

Students may enhance their involvement in the CDFS area by participating in groups such as the HDFS Club, the North Dakota Association for the Education of Young Children, and the North Dakota Family and Consumer Sciences Association.

REQUIRED COURSES

All CDFS majors are required to take CDFS 230, 353, 485 and 496.

In addition, family science majors must take CDFS 357, two family science courses, 2 human development courses and two family economics courses. Consult an advisor and a curriculum guide for information on specific courses included in each of these categories.

RECOMMENDED COURSES
In addition to the requirements listed above, students interested in family and consumer economics are encouraged to take the following courses:

CDFS 186 - Consumer and Society

CDFS 477 - Financial Counseling

CDFS 462 - Family Crisis

CDFS 468 - Women in Economic Systems

CDFS 478 - Financial and Consumer Issues of Aging

Depending on career interests, additional courses outside the CDFS Department might include finance, consumer law, marketing, insurance, accounting, communications, economics or woman's studies.

NDSU also offers a master's degree in Family Financial Planning through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Educating Alliance (GPIDEA). Talk with an advisor if you are interested in graduate study.

MINORS:

The following are some of the minors on campus that compliment the family science major:

Business Administration
Psychology
Sociology
Individual and Family Wellness
Woman's Studies
Gerontology
Communication

• Although a minor is not required, students interested in pursuing careers in financial services or consumer advocacy are encouraged to pursue a business administration minor.
  
  
• A minor in psychology is helpful to better understand individual behavior.
  
  
• A minor in sociology is useful to better understand the interaction of the family system with larger social systems.
  
  
• A wellness minor is important for a holistic understanding of ways to improve all aspects of well-being.
  
  
• Students who desire an understanding of gender issues will benefit from taking the women's studies minor.
  
  
• The gerontology minor prepares students to work with aging individuals and their families on issues such as retirement, long-term care, and estate planning.
  
  
• The communication minor is appropriate for students desiring to develop written or visual materials and do presentations focused on family issues.