Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences (FCNS)

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 Admission to the major in family and child studies and to the interdisciplinary major in early childhood studies is limited. See “Limited Admissions and Limited Retention Requirements” in the Admission section of this catalog.

The School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences prepares professionals who support families and individuals in meeting their basic human needs. The programs are based on an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on the behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Students learn theories and their application to professions in nonprofit organizations, private practice, government, education, and business. Graduates have the necessary foundation for a career as well as further study. Students majoring in a program offered by the school may obtain certification to teach family and consumer sciences/home economics at the secondary level.

School Requirement 

The student must be in good standing at NIU to declare a major or premajor in the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences.

Policy on Dismissal

University policy requires that students be informed of the possibility of being dismissed from practicums, internships, and early field experiences. In the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences, such a possibility exists in FCNS 240, FCNS 341, FCNS 344, FCNS 431A, FCNS 431B, FCNS 431C, FCNS 431D, FCNS 474, FCNS 475, FCNS 490, TLEC 485A, and TLEC 485B. A statement of grounds for dismissal is available from the coordinator of each internship.

The School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences standards committee may review a student who displays behavior that threatens the health and/or safety of others in settings such as a major class, practicum, internship, or school-related activity.

Recommendation

Students who plan to major in a program offered by the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences should take chemistry and biology in high school.

Minors

Prospective minors should consult with the school’s undergraduate academic adviser so the school may plan to accommodate students in required courses. These minors are not open to students majoring in a program offered by the School of Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences.

Family, Consumer, and Nutrition Sciences Faculty

Laura S. Smart, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, professor, chair 
Sally Arnett, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, assistant professor
Brent J. Atkinson, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, professor
Susan P. Bowers, Ph.D., Ohio State University, associate professor
Sarah L. Cosbey, Ph.D., Iowa State University, associate professor
Barb Cuppett, M.A., St. Mary’s College of Minnesota, supportive professional staff
Linda E. Derscheid, Ph.D., University of Iowa, associate professor
Shi-Ruei Sherry Fang, Ph.D., Michigan State University, professor
Beverly Henry, Ph.D., Loyola University, assistant professor
Julie Hillery, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor
Hyun-Mee Joung, Ph.D., Iowa State University, assistant professor 
Seahee Lee, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, assistant professor
Lan Li, Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, associate professor
Judith Lukaszuk, Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, associate professor
J. Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., University of Georgia, associate professor
Bette Montgomery, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, associate professor
Eunha Myung, Ph.D., University of Nevada-Las Vegas, assistant professor
Jane Rose Njue, Ph.D., Iowa State University, assistant professor
Amy Ozier, Ph.D., University of Alabama, assistant professor
Aimee D. Prawitz, Ph.D., Louisiana State University, professor
Mary E. Pritchard, Ph.D., Purdue University, professor 
Emily Reilly, M.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
Lin Shi, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, associate professor
Josephine Umoren, Ph.D., University of Nebraska, associate professor 
Melissa Veljasevic, M.S., Northern Illinois University, supportive professional staff
Yan Wang, Ph.D., University of Illinois, assistant professor
Charline Xie, Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln, associate professor

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