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.
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!
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.
CONTACT US
Please fill in the form below and we will contact you very soon
