Family and Consumer Sciences
Master of Arts (MA)
The Family and Consumer Sciences department currently offers a Master's degree in Family Life Education. This program provides an integrative educational curriculum. Department faculty conduct research on the relationships among individuals, families, and their environment and culture, with the goal of improving quality of life within communities and society at large. An individualized plan of study is designed for each student in order to tailor the program to specific career goals, within the parameters of the program's requirements.
This is an accredited program by the National Council on Family Relations. Family life education is a complex and multi-faceted field that addresses all aspects of family life. Its primary purpose is to help individuals and families learn about human growth, development, and behavior in the family setting and throughout the life cycle.
Certification as a Family Life Educator
The National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) sponsors the only national program to certify family life educators. The Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) program documents knowledge and competence, verifies professional credibility and enhances the reputation of professionals as family life educators. The Family Life Education Concentration at WMU qualifies students to apply for CFLE credentials.
Program Benefits
Types of positions where Family Life Educators are qualified to serve:
- Community College or Undergraduate College Instructors
- Parent Involvement Specialists or Family Service Field Associates for Head Start or Evenstart Programs
- Youth and Family Agents for County Extension
- Juvenile Court Workers
- Directors of local Social Service Agencies
- Program Directors in Churches
- Parent Educators
Program Components
The FCS program requires 30 credit hours of course work planned in consultation with and approved by the graduate student adviser. Although not required this work can include a thesis. Students complete a minimum of 12 to 20 credit hours of core courses (20 hours are required if certification is desired), two to three credit hours of an individualized practicum experience, five to nine credit hours of research courses and three to six credit hours of approved elective courses.
Students are required to take course work in each of the 10 family life substance areas and to complete an individualized practicum experience. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree in family studies or a related area may be required to take additional courses to meet requirements for family life educator certification.