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Updated February 23, 2015

Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics

 

College of Health and Social Sciences

Interim Dean: Alvin Alvarez

 

Department of Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics

BH 329
Phone: 415-338-1219

Chair: Nancy Rabolt
Graduate Coordinator: Nancy Rabolt

 

Faculty

Professors: Rabolt, Ulasewicz
Associate Professors: Johnson-Carroll, Vouchilas
Assistant Professors: George, Reddy-Best

 

Programs:

B.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences

B.S. in Apparel Design and Merchandising

B.S. in Dietetics

B.S. in Interior Design

M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences

Certificate in Dietetics

 

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Program Scope

Undergraduate students in the accredited Consumer and Family Studies/Dietetics programs develop competencies requisite for employment in a variety of professional roles. Among these roles are: apparel designer; fashion merchandiser; visual merchandiser; brand manager; textile specialist; food specialist; cooperative extension family and consumer scientist; consumer advisor or advocate; supervisor of a preschool or child care center; family support officer; services for victims of family violence; teacher at the secondary, adult education, or community college levels; residential and commercial interior designer.

 

Students earning a Bachelor of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences, or the Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Apparel Design and Merchandising, or Interior Design, with a 3.0 grade point average, may qualify for admission to the Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences. The CFS/D Department also offers a 24 unit graduate certificate program in dietetics which provides the knowledge and practice requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

 

Career Outlook

Graduates with a family and consumer sciences, apparel design and merchandising, dietetics, or interior design baccalaureate degree are employed in business, community service, journalism, and health and hospitality units. Students seeking the Family & Consumer Sciences Single Subject Teaching Credential or the California Child Development Master Teacher or Site Supervision Permit should consult the department. The certificate in dietetics (internship) is one means by which graduates of the B.S. in Dietetics may become eligible to take the examination to become a Registered Dietitian (R.D.).

 

Complementary Studies

Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least twelve units of complementary studies outside of the primary prefix for the major. (Note: Students may not use an alternate prefix that is cross-listed with the primary prefix for the major.)

 

Students who complete two majors or a major and a minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Family & Consumer Sciences major who wish to satisfy the Complementary Studies Requirement with a coherent group of courses complementary to the major must have the courses approved by an advisor in the major. Consult with a major advisor for assistance.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences

This major enables a student to specialize in one of two subject areas or to generalize in family and consumer sciences with the option of taking the subject matter preparation courses for the Single Subject Credential that prepares one for teaching in family and consumer sciences secondary education programs. The common core of the program is devoted to students acquiring an understanding of family relations/child growth and development; management dynamics; food and nutrition, apparel design and merchandising, and interior design/housing as solutions to the physical, social, and psychological needs of individuals and families; sensitivities to the needs and value systems of individuals, families, and groups which vary by age, socio-economic status, and ethnic heritage; and the role expectations of professional family and consumer scientists. Students pursuing this major, depending upon their areas of specialization, may complete field experiences in business, education, industry, government, or private agencies. These field experiences serve as integrating experiences for students prior to their entry into professional roles.

 

Mandatory Advising. FCS majors must see an advisor to prepare a Graduation Plan which outlines course sequence. Some major classes may require the plan be presented on the first day of classes. See department office (Burk Hall 329) for information to include in the advising folder. Students who wish credits earned at another institution to be accepted in lieu of courses offered for the major at SF State must obtain acceptance from the instructors of the courses and the department chair.

 

Degree Requirements

A prescribed sequence of courses must be adhered to as some classes are offered only in the fall or spring semesters. All major courses must be passed with a letter grade of C- or better. CR/NC is not allowed.

 

Family and Consumer Sciences (B.A.) — 45 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Merchandising

The Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Merchandising prepares students for a career in the fashion industry including apparel design, visual merchandising, product development, promotion, and retail strategies. Two emphases are offered: (1) apparel design and, (2) fashion merchandising. A common core of classes enables students to develop a consumer and socially conscious approach to the textile and apparel industry and a basic knowledge of the field including career opportunities, terminology, and professional practices as applied to the industry.

 

Application Filing Period. The apparel design and merchandising program is impacted, which means there are more applications than capacity. Transfer student applications for admission to this major are accepted by the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions only during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30 (for admission the following fall). No late applications or applications for spring will be considered. Both new transfer and on-campus students wishing to change majors, are required to submit an additional departmental application. See departmental website http://cfsd.sfsu.edu for supplemental program application and exact deadline in January.

 

Mandatory Advising. ADM majors must see an advisor to prepare a Graduation Plan that outlines course sequence. Some major classes will require that this plan be presented on the first day of classes. See department office (Burk Hall 329) for information to include in the advising folder. Students who wish credits earned at another institution to be accepted in lieu of courses offered for the major at SF State must obtain acceptance from their advisor and the department chair.

 

Writing Competence: Good writing skills are necessary for success in the major. Second year written composition (ENG 214 or equivalent) with a grade of C- or better is required to take ADM 360, the beginning of the sequence of upper division ADM courses, which fulfills the GWAR requirement.

 

Degree Requirements

The major includes 15 units of prerequisite work and 43 units of advanced courses. Within the 43 units, all students take 22 units of core courses and 21 units in one emphasis: apparel design or fashion merchandising. A prescribed sequence of courses must be adhered to as some classes are offered only in the fall or spring semesters. Students should consult course descriptions in this Bulletin for prerequisites. All major courses must be passed with a letter grade of C- or better CR/NC is not allowed.

 

Apparel Design and Merchandising (B.S.) — 58 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics

The Bachelor of Science in Dietetics is an accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) and meets the Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutritional Education of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The program prepares students for careers in clinical dietetics, foodservice systems management, and nutrition education in hospitals, industry, or government agencies. Most positions require an R.D. (Registered Dietitian). See Certificate in Dietetics section of this bulletin.

 

Application Filing Period. The dietetics program is impacted, which means there are more applications than capacity. Transfer student applications for admission to this major are accepted by the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions only during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30 (for admission the following fall). No late applications or applications for spring will be considered. Both new transfer and on-campus students wishing to change majors are required to submit an additional departmental application to the CFS/D department. See departmental website http://cfsd.sfsu.edu for supplemental program application and specific deadline in January.

 

Mandatory Advising. Dietetics majors should consult the designated DPD director/advisor for planning and evaluation of courses transferred from other institutions and to prepare a Graduation Plan outlining course sequence. Some major classes will require that this plan be presented on the first day of classes. A prescribed sequence of courses must be adhered to as some classes are offered only in the fall or spring semesters and senior-level courses are restricted to graduating seniors. See department office (Burk Hall 329) for information to include in the advising folder. Students should consult the course description in the current Bulletin for prerequisites and corequisites.

 

Degree Requirements

Students will receive a Verification Statement, signed by the DPD Director, on completion of the degree and submission of an official transcript indicating that the degree has been awarded. The Verification Statement is then submitted as part of the dietetic internship application process or to qualify to sit for the Dietetic Technician, Registered (D.T.R.) examination.

 

Note: To become a Registered Dietitian (R.D.) one must a) complete the B.S. in Dietetics, b) complete a Dietetic Internship, c) pass the R.D. exam. To become a Dietetic Technician, Registered (D.T.R.) one must a) complete the B.S. in Dietetics, b) complete the D.T.R. eligibility application, c) pass the D.T.R. exam.

 

All courses must be passed with a C- or better. CR/NC is not allowed.

 

General Education requirements met in the Dietetics major:
The requirements below are deemed “met in the major” upon completion of the courses listed (even though the courses and their prerequisites are not approved for GE). This is true whether or not the student completes the major. All other requirements must be completed as outlined in the General Education section of the bulletin.

• Area B1 (Physical Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 130.
• Area B2 (Life Science) is satisfied upon completion of both BIOL 210 and BIOL 220.
• Area B3 (Laboratory Science) is satisfied upon completion of both CHEM 115 and BIOL 211.

 

Dietetics (B.S.) — 70 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design prepares students for a career in the interior design industry. Required classes include design elements and principles, history, materials and systems, contemporary design philosophies and sustainability, advanced design applications, computer applications, and portfolio development. Course work incorporates both theory and hands-on approaches to the study of interior design. The curriculum is designed to help students develop enhanced and well developed knowledge and skills in the field of interior design. The program focuses on residential and commercial design. Students earning a degree in Interior Design are eligible to sit for the National Council Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam two years after graduation if they have been employed full time in the field of interior design. Students may also sit for the IDEX California Exam immediately upon graduation.

 

Application Filing Period. The Interior Design program is impacted, which means there are more applications than capacity. Transfer student applications for admission to this major are accepted by the University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions only during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30 (for admission the following fall). No late applications or applications for spring will be considered. Both new students and on-campus students wishing to change majors are required to submit an additional departmental application to the CFS/D Department. See departmental website http://cfsd.sfsu.edu for supplemental program application and specific deadlines in January and May.

 

Mandatory Advising. Interior Design majors must see an advisor to prepare a Graduation Plan which outlines course sequence. Some major classes will require that this plan be presented on the first day of classes. See department office (Burk Hall 329) for information to include in the advising folder. Students who wish credits earned at another institution to be accepted in lieu of courses offered for the major at SF State must obtain acceptance from their advisor and the department chair.

 

Writing Competence: Good writing skills are necessary for success in the major. Second year written composition (ENG 214 or equivalent) with a grade of C or better is required to take ID 340 GW, the beginning of the sequence of upper division ID courses, which fulfills the GWAR requirement.

 

Degree Requirements

The major includes 6 units of prerequisite work and 48 units of additional major courses. A prescribed sequence of courses must be adhered to as some classes are offered only in the fall or spring semesters. Students should check Bulletin descriptions for prerequisites to individual courses.

 

All major courses (core and elective) must be passed with a letter grade of C- or better. CR/NC is not allowed.

 

Interior Design (B.S.) — 54 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences

The Master of Arts in Family and Consumer Sciences is aimed toward increasing competencies for teaching in high schools, colleges and universities; developing competencies needed in professional roles in business, community services, education and health in the areas of apparel, interiors and dietetics; and developing competencies essential for supervising and administering consumer and family sciences programs. The program also prepares one for further graduate study. Students are expected to observe the general requirements outlined in this Bulletin and to consult with a graduate advisor. Requests for an advisor should be directed to the department chair.

 

Admission to Program

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree and a 3.0 GPA with a major in family and consumer sciences, or one of its specializations (apparel, child/family, interior design, nutrition/dietetics). Those without this degree must complete thirty units of prerequisites course work in consumer and family studies/dietetics approved by an advisor and the department chair.

 

Within these 30 units:

• 3 units must be from outside the student’s area of specialization
• 3 units must include CFS 312 GW
• a maximum of 6 units may be counted for past professional experience in area of specialization.

 

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: The GRE (writing component) must be completed prior to application and scores are required to be submitted as part of the application. Admitted students with scores below 4.0 will be conditionally classified and must pass a writing intensive class or other remediation within the first two semesters in the program to satisfy the university first level writing proficiency requirement.
Level Two is demonstrated by completion of CFS 895 or CFS 898.

 

For the Culminating Experience (CE) and SF State Continuous Enrollment Policy students should view SF State Graduate Division policies (www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy). The Proposal for Culminating Experience, Human Subjects Protocol, and Advancement to Candidacy are due the semester prior to enrolling in CFS 895/898. Students have one semester grace period after enrolling in CFS 895/898 to complete their CE. If it is not completed during the semester following enrollment, they must then continually enroll in a CEL class until CFS 895/898 is completed.

 

Seventy percent of a student’s Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) must be at the 700 level or above. Students must make continuous progress toward the completion of the degree. See Graduate Division website for details on policies, procedures and required forms (www.sfsu.edu/~gradstdy).

 

Family and Consumer Sciences (M.A.) — Minimum 30 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Certificate in Dietetics

The Dietetic Internship Program at SF State is part of the Graduate Certificate in Dietetics. Only students who have completed or are near completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are eligible to apply for this internship and certificate program. A DPD is typically an undergraduate degree in dietetics, although there are other tracks. For more information about DPD and Dietetic Internship programs, go to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.) website at: http://www.eatright.org/BecomeanRDorDTR/

 

The program provides the knowledge and practice requirements necessary to be eligible to take the Registered Dietitian (R.D.) examination. Interns will be placed in rotations in hospitals, long-term care/skilled nursing facilities, community nutrition, and other health organizations in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area for practical experiences. In addition to the internship portion of the program, interns will be required to take graduate level academic courses in nutrition that will cover the lifespan. The Dietetic Internship Program at SF State is a full-time, 11 month program, from mid-July through May/early June.

 

Before being considered for acceptance, the student must first be eligible in accordance with requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.), as well as university requirements as outlined in the Certificate Program section at www.sfsu.edu/~bulletin/current/certif.htm. This same section also includes University program guidelines and procedures to be followed in filing for the award of the certificate when it is completed.

 

Admission to Program

• Completion of a baccalaureate degree and completion of an approved Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) are required prior to admission into the program.
• Refer to the Consumer & Family Studies/Dietetics website for information about application procedures: http://cfsd.sfsu.edu/programs.
• Applicants must participate in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.) computer matching process and the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Process (DICAS). Applicants must meet the posted deadlines and pay the required fees for both of these in order to apply to our program.
• A separate supplemental application packet and application fee must also be submitted to the Consumer & Family Studies/Dietetics Department by the posted deadline in order to apply to our program.
• A committee composed of dietetics faculty and other members will review the applications based on established criteria.
• Applicants will be notified if they were matched to our program by the computer matching company.
• Matched applicants must then apply to the University via CSUMentor. They will enroll as matriculated post-baccalaureate students in the unclassified status through the College of Extended Learning (CEL).
• Admission to the certificate program does not guarantee admittance into the M.A. program.

 

Criteria for Selection

• Applicants must meet all deadlines for submitting applications to the computer matching company and DICAS as well as to the program. Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• All DPD courses are to be completed with a grade of C- or better. A minimum overall GPA of 2.7 and a DPD GPA of 3.0 is required. DPD GPA, as well as overall GPA and Science GPA, will be evaluated.
• Work and/or volunteer experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume will be evaluated. Only applicants being considered for admission will receive a request for a phone interview.
• Preference may be given to SF State DPD graduates whose qualifications are competitive with other applicants.
• Admission to the program is competitive and a strong DPD GPA and work/volunteer experience in the field of dietetics are important criteria when applications are being reviewed.

SF State is committed to policies of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender or age.

 

Program Description

This is a full-time program consisting of 32+ hours per week of practical experiences during the academic year, and 12 units of academic coursework per semester. Courses are generally held during the summer and then, from mid-August through May, courses are held one day a week on campus and internship rotations are done the other four days of the week. No part-time enrollment is allowed.

 

Supervised practice experiences are completed under the direction of a dietitian or foodservice manager in a facility or program serving children, adults, and/or older adults in a healthcare or community setting. The internship is based on specific experiences, competencies, and required hours set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (A.N.D.). A total of 1,200 practice hours is required in the internship in order to meet these requirements. Summer R3, Fall, and Spring semester enrollment are required.

 

Rotations will generally include the following:

• 16 - 17 weeks in an acute care clinical hospital
• 5 - 8 weeks in a long-term care/skilled nursing facility, outpatient, or other clinical setting
• 5 weeks in a foodservice systems management rotation
• 3 - 7 weeks in a community nutrition or public health organization
• 3 weeks in an elective

 

The array of clinical, community, and foodservice rotations will allow the intern to have a variety of experiences in dietetics, with a concentration in medical nutrition therapy. Interns will be given two weeks off during December/January, and one week off for Spring Break. Since this is an intensive program, interns should not expect to hold outside jobs while enrolled in the program.

 

Dietetics, Certificate — 24 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.