Nutrition and Food Science
Make an impact by helping your community gain a better understanding of food and nutrition.
Nutrition and Food Science, Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education Concentration, B.S.
The NFS Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education concentration prepares students to graduate with a Tennessee Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher license at the secondary level. Nationwide, there is a shortage of FCS teachers, so jobs are plentiful. Students in this concentration must complete the Ready2Teach Secondary Education Minor, which begins with a formal application for admission to the Teacher Education Program described in the Information link. Graduates of the 120-credit hour BS degree are prepared to teach middle school Teen Living or in the high school Career Pathways areas such as Nutrition and Dietetics, Human and Social Services, Teaching as a Profession, or Culinary Arts.
News Briefs
Derrian Rickard: Passionate about Teaching
Derrian always wanted to be a teacher, and she is living that dream, thanks to her time in MTSU’s Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. After graduating in May 2020, she wasted no time and started teaching at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro that fall. Initially, she taught in the Human and Social Services Career Pathway, but now is the Teaching as a Profession Career Pathway instructor, a role she thoroughly enjoys. She is pursuing a Master of Education in School Leadership at MTSU, which will pave the way for her transition into school administration. She enjoys spending time with friends and family in her spare time, planning her wedding, building balloon arches, and taking walks with her dog.
Stephanie Cline: Proud FCSE Grad
Stephanie is a proud alumna of MTSU's Family and Consumer Sciences Education undergraduate program. Her positive experience led her back to MTSU to obtain her Master of Education degree. Administration and Supervision, which she completed in 2020. She taught at Antioch High School for eight years before returning to teach at her alma mater, Riverdale High School, in 2022. Stephanie teaches in the Human Services Pathway and loves everything about being a high school teacher. She also serves as an advisor for Riverdale's Family, Community, and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) club. Stephanie cherishes spending time with her husband and their two beautiful children outside of work.
News Briefs
Derrian Rickard: Passionate about Teaching
Derrian always wanted to be a teacher, and she is living that dream, thanks to her time in MTSU’s Family and Consumer Sciences Education program. After graduating in May 2020, she wasted no time and started teaching at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro that fall. Initially, she taught in the Human and Social Services Career Pathway, but now is the Teaching as a Profession Career Pathway instructor, a role she thoroughly enjoys. She is pursuing a Master of Education in School Leadership at MTSU, which will pave the way for her transition into school administration. She enjoys spending time with friends and family in her spare time, planning her wedding, building balloon arches, and taking walks with her dog.
Stephanie Cline: Proud FCSE Grad
Stephanie is a proud alumna of MTSU's Family and Consumer Sciences Education undergraduate program. Her positive experience led her back to MTSU to obtain her Master of Education degree. Administration and Supervision, which she completed in 2020. She taught at Antioch High School for eight years before returning to teach at her alma mater, Riverdale High School, in 2022. Stephanie teaches in the Human Services Pathway and loves everything about being a high school teacher. She also serves as an advisor for Riverdale's Family, Community, and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) club. Stephanie cherishes spending time with her husband and their two beautiful children outside of work.
Nutrition and Food Science, Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education Concentration, B.S.
Will you get a job with a Family and Consumer Sciences (FSC) degree after graduation?
Yes! There is currently a shortage of FCS Extension Agents and Program Assistants in Tennessee and most other states. Each of the 75 Tennessee counties hires FCS graduates. Additionally, there is a nationwide shortage of FCS teachers in middle and high schools. Please refer to our FCS Secondary Education concentration if your goal is to become an FCS classroom teacher.
Selecting this FCS program is right for you if you are:
- Patient, nurturing, creative, organized, and self-motivated.
- Enjoy flexibility and variety in your work.
- Enjoy helping youth and adults develop essential skills to live and work successfully.
This degree will lead to jobs that have:
- Options to work with different audiences— youth and adults.
- Strong employment outlook.
- Good starting salaries, pay increases, and career advancement.
- Good benefits and retirement plans.
- Excellent professional development opportunities.
- Opportunities to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities!
MTSU’s Career Development Center
MTSU offers a comprehensive Career Development Center that serves students throughout the full student experience and beyond. They collaborate with faculty and staff to equip students with the tools to be marketable to the world of work and continuing education.
Students can schedule an appointment or check online resources and job boards at mtsu.edu/career.
Students can find current internship opportunities by talking to faculty and visiting the University job and internship board called Handshake .
Wondering what you can do with your major? Check out our What Can I Do with A Major In guides.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
MTSU discloses that the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nutrition and Food Science, Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education is a teacher licensure preparation program accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Admission to an undergraduate teacher licensure preparation program does not guarantee that students will obtain a teacher license. Successful completion of the program meets the educational requirements to apply for a practitioner teacher licensure in Tennessee.
The BS Nutrition and Food Science, Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education disclosure provided on MTSU’s professional licensure disclosure website indicates the states and territories where MTSU has determined, through reasonable and good faith effort, that the program does or does not meet the educational requirements for other US states and territories. Licensing authorities for each state set and enforce their own requirements and standards, which are subject to change. Current and prospective students not located in Tennessee or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee should contact the appropriate state licensing agency or board and discuss their plans with an advisor and the MTSU Office of Teacher Licensure before enrolling in the program to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
Requirements for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Secondary Education
The NFS Family and Consumer Sciences Secondary Education concentration prepares students to graduate with a Tennessee Family and Consumer Sciences teacher license at the secondary level. Students in this concentration must complete the Ready2Teach Secondary Education Minor, which begins with a formal application for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Please check with your academic advisor for assistance in the process.
Start Early. THE APPLICATION PROCESS TAKES SOME TIME. Some parts of the admission to teacher education application process may take several weeks to complete. Please allow at least 4 weeks to complete and submit your application.
Submit everything by the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Meeting the guaranteed enrollment deadline is highly recommended.
- To be admitted for the Spring Semester, Guaranteed enrollment deadline of October 15th.
- To be admitted for the Summer Semester: Guaranteed enrollment deadline of March 15th.
- To be admitted for Fall Semester: Guaranteed enrollment deadline of March 15th.
Students may be admitted after the guaranteed enrollment deadline but will not be guaranteed a space in their chosen classes.
Teacher Education Admission Requirements
- Criteria for Admission:
- Complete an online application for Admission to Teacher Education before the end of the sophomore year.
- Take and pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) exams. Passing scores are Reading –156, Math – 150, and Writing – 162. Exemptions from taking the CORE exam may apply to those applicants who:
- Have an ACT-enhanced score of 21 or higher
- Have 1080 on the SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math.
- Complete at least 45 semester hours of coursework
- Complete YOED 2500 – Planning and Assessment with a “B-” or better grade. Application to Teacher Education is typically submitted while a student is enrolled in YOED 2500.
- Inclusive grade point average of 2.75 or higher (grades earned in introductory and developmental courses are not used to compute the required average).
- Completion of Fingerprinting and Background check with TBI.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program is a prerequisite to enrollment in upper-division secondary YOED classes. Students not formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program cannot enroll in upper-division teacher education classes.
Formal Admission to Teacher Education When all criteria for admission have been met, formal action is taken on admission. Applicants are typically notified via email within a week of applying and in writing through the U.S. mail after formal approval.
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