Family and Consumer Sciences: Gerontology Concentration (1215), B.S.F.C.S.

Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (B.S.F.C.S.)

The mission of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is to prepare professionals who help promote a better quality of life for individuals and families, enhancing the interrelationships of people and communities in diverse social, economic and physical environments. For graduates who wish further specialization, the curriculum prepares them for advanced training or degrees such as UT Martin’s Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences.

All students completing this major receive the degree Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences. The major is called Family and Consumer Sciences, and students will select one of the following seven concentrations:

Child and Family Studies
Dietetics
Family and Consumer Sciences Education
Fashion Merchandising
Food and Nutrition
Gerontology
Hospitality and Food Service Management

For more information about the major in Family and Consumer Sciences, please contact:

Keith Dooley
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
wdooley@utm.edu
731-881-7100
utm.edu/fcs

Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences (B.S.F.C.S.) - Concentration in Gerontology

The Gerontology concentration is designed to provide a foundational education in adult development and family relationships while allowing flexibility in course work to meet individual career goals. Students in the concentration prepare for career opportunities including, but not limited to: senior services coordinator, family life educator, adult care administrator, and related jobs in the field. Observations and community service in various locations, in addition to course work, provide the means for students to gain the knowledge and skills needed for the profession.

General Education	38 hours
Family and Consumer Sciences Core Courses	13 hours
Family and Consumer Sciences Component Courses	28 hours
Professional Development Component Courses	39 hours
Unspecified Elective Courses	2 hours
Minor (if required)	Optional
TOTAL	120 hours

For more information about the concentration in Gerontology, please contact:

Keith Dooley
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
wdooley@utm.edu
utm.edu/fcs

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

University Degree Requirements

120 credit hours are required
Minimum 30 credit hours completed at The University of Tennessee at Martin
36 credits in Upper Division coursework (courses numbered 300-499)
Minimum 60 credits earned at an accredited four-year institution required.
A minimum overall GPA of 2.0 is required.
A minimum institutional GPA of 2.0 is required.
Must meet all General Education Requirements
Must meet all Major Requirements
If a Minor is required, must meet all Minor Requirements
Must meet all Exit Exam Requirements
- General Education Exam
- Major Field Test / Exit Exam
If a student is admitted to the University of Tennessee at Martin with documented entrance deficiencies OR is subject to mandatory placement requirements, then the student must meet those requirements.

COURSEWORK REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE

General Education Core Curriculum Requirements

Note to students: Some degree programs include required courses for the major that are also options within the University-Wide General Education Requirements. If a student completes a course that simultaneously satisfies both a requirement for the major and a requirement for the University-Wide General Education Requirements, then the student may need to complete additional elective coursework in order to meet the minimum number of credit hours required for the degree.

Concentration in Gerontology (82 credit hours)

Program-Specific Degree Requirements

Minimum grade of C required in all major courses (excluding University-Wide General Education courses)
In order to qualify for a supervised field experience, students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in the semester immediately prior to enrolling in field experience courses
If a student needs to carry more than 20 hours at one time, special permission of the dean of the college is required
Family and Consumer Sciences majors minoring in another subject may count up to two courses that are common to both the major and the minor
A minor is optional

Course Requirements

Family and Consumer Sciences Core Courses (required for all Family and Consumer Sciences majors):

CFS 100 - Lifespan Human Development Credit(s): 3
FASH 300 - Clothing/Adornment and World Culture Credit(s): 3
FCS 100 - Family and Consumer Sciences Perspectives Credit(s): 1
FCS 400 - Senior Seminar Credit(s): 3
NUTR 100 - Introductory Nutrition Credit(s): 3
(may also satisfy University-Wide General Education requirements)

Concentration in Gerontology

Family and Consumer Sciences Component Courses:

CFS 303 - Family Relationships Credit(s): 3
CFS 402 - Housing Across the Lifespan Credit(s): 3
CRMG 302 - Personal and Family Finance Credit(s): 3
FASH 303 - Textiles Credit(s): 3
FSCI 200 - Food Science Credit(s): 3
HLTH 220 - Advanced First Aid, CPR and AED Credit(s): 3
Either MMSC 311: Interpersonal Communication OR MMSC 356: Communication in Professional Environments Credits: 3
NUTR 422 - Lifespan Nutrition Credit(s): 3
Either ZOOL 201: Human Anatomy and Physiology OR MBIO 251: General Bacteriology Credits: 4 (may also satisfy University-Wide General Education requirements)

Professional Development Component Courses:

CFS 421 - Adult Development Credit(s): 3
GERO 200 - Introduction to Gerontology Credit(s): 3
GERO 311 - Developmentally Appropriate Activities for Older Adults Credit(s): 3
GERO 314 - Death, Dying, and Bereavement Credit(s): 3
SWRK 220 - Understanding Human Diversity and Oppressed Populations Credit(s): 3
(may also satisfy University-Wide General Education requirements)
- Restricted Electives (selected in consultation with advisor to meet career goals) Credits: 12
- Select alternative A or B to develop specialization
  
  A. FCS 460: Orientation to Field Experience Credits: 2
  FCS 488: Supervised Field Experience in Gerontology Credits: 5
  FCS 498: Supervised Field Experience in Child and Family Studies Credits: 5
or

B. Approved Upper-Division Electives (300- or 400-level, selected in consultation with advisor) Credits: 12

Unspecified Elective Courses:

Unspecified Electives (as needed to complete degree requirement; selected to meet student’s own interests and career goals) Credits: 2

ADDITIONAL NOTES

The department encourages all students to select the Supervised Field Experience whenever possible in order to gain valuable on-the-job experience prior to graduation.