Undergraduate Programs

The department offers an undergraduate degree in Human Ecology with options in the following disciplines:

 

Child Development
The program in Child Development provides a broad interdisciplinary background in the area of children and families.  It prepares students to work with and/or teach others to work with children and their families.  Emphases are given to development within various family structures, and to strategies for facilitating normal development.  Students learn basic concepts of human development and acquire skills in working with young children and their families with different abilities, and backgrounds in a variety of settings.  In addition to classroom instruction, the Child Development students spend portions of several semesters in the campus Child and Family Development Center and in off-campus social and human services agencies.  Potential employment opportunities include private childcare facilities, hospital and clinic setting, recreation programs, health and social service agencies, and business.
Recommended Course Sequence

Dietetics
The Dietetics curriculum is approved by the Commission on Accreditation/Approval for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association.  The course offerings are sequenced to provide experiences that become increasingly complex and build upon previous knowledge and experiences.  Supporting courses are selected to provide requisite knowledge for professional courses.  Students combine classroom experience with field experiences, and are required to complete a practicum at approved facilities. Additional related field experience is strongly recommended.  Program graduates are eligible to apply for supervised practice programs and, upon successful completion are qualified to write the Registration Examination for Dietitians.  Registered dietitians are employed by industry, public health services, hospitals, food and health services, and other local, state, national and international agencies with research and educational programs.

Recommended Course Sequence

Family and Consumer Sciences
The Family and Consumer Sciences program is designed to provide the student with an interdisciplinary life span perspective necessary for professional work with families and consumers. The program will permit the student to develop a comprehensive educational background while focusing on one’s specific interest(s).  Graduates of the Family and Consumer Sciences program are prepared to work in either the public or private sector that serve families and consumers.  Students will select a minor to strengthen their general education, core and required course work.  Depending on the student’s interest, the minor may be chosen from one of the following areas: Fashion Merchandising, Clothing and Textiles, Foods and Nutrition, or Business Administration.  Other recommended electives could include foreign language, journalism, health education and social work.  Early advisement is highly recommended.

Recommended Course Sequence

Family and Consumer Sciences Education
The Family and Consumer Science Education Program provides educational opportunities designed to fulfill the needs of society in general and the State of Maryland in particular for FCS teachers.  Students must formally apply to and be accepted in the teacher education program.  Students must also complete a minimum of 60 credits, including transfer hours, with an overall grade point average of 2.75 or better.  The 60 hours must include EDCI 200, EDSP 200, ENGL 101, 102, 203, and 305; PSYC 200; science, social science, and math credits with grades of C or better in each course, and pass Praxis I examination.

Recommended Course Sequence

Fashion Merchandising
The Fashion Merchandising program is designed to prepare students for entry-level management positions in the broad field of fashion merchandising, with emphasis on the retail process of products and services.  To complement their program of study, students may opt to complete electives that focus on advertising, journalism, communication, or visual merchandising. With appropriate elective courses, students can pursue careers in fashion reporting, advertising, or graphic design. 

The Fashion Merchandising program includes a minor in business administration, as well as supervised internships in Fashion Merchandising or related areas.  In addition, the department participates in the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Visiting Student Program (located in New York City).  Fashion Merchandising majors who meet eligibility requirements may choose to spend one year (junior year) at FIT for an additional degree (A.A.S.) in Advertising and Communications.  Students return to UMES to complete the four-year program and receive both degrees at graduation. Eligibility requirements include a 2.9 cumulative GPA and completion of 60 credit hours.

Recommended Course Sequence

Nutrition

The program in Nutrition requires basic courses in the biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and nutrition.  The program emphasis allows students to select certain courses in accordance with their interests.  Teaching and research efforts are focused on the basic sciences of food and nutrition and the application of knowledge in these disciplines to the maintenance of health and well-being of humans through the life span.

Recommended Course Sequence