Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Education

Creating & Experiencing

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FCS Teacher Organizations | FCS Teacher Preparation and Mentoring | FCS Additional Resources

About the field of Family & Consumer Science

Background

Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Education prepares individuals for employment in a wide range of human services occupations, including food, child development, fashion, and textiles. FCS careers relate to families and human needs such as education, consumer services, the management, marketing, and operations of restaurants and other food services, lodging, attractions, recreation events, and travel related services.

FCS is one of the three original Career and Technical Education (CTE) areas, created in 1917 by the Smith-Hughes legislation. FCS has evolved in the more than 100 years since its inception from home economics courses just for girls to now supporting good paying, highly skilled, and sought after careers in creative design/textiles, hospitality/culinary, early childhood, education careers, and other human and community services. The student organization for FCS, the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, or FCCLA, was formed in 1945 originally as the Future Homemakers of America, or FHA. As of 2024, more than 220 districts offer FCS programs in Minnesota, including 529 teachers and 78,786 students grades 5-12.

FCS comprises the Family and Consumer Sciences career field on the federal Career Wheel. FCS includes three clusters: (a) Arts, Entertainment, & Design, (b) Education, and (c) Hospitality, Events, & Tourism.

Licenses for this area include:
– Broad-based license for the entire FCS field: Family and Consumer Sciences broad-based-090100.
– Careers license for the Arts, Entertainment, & Design cluster: Creative Design careers-300400.
– Careers license for the Education cluster: Early Childhood careers-300500.
– Careers license for the Hospitality, Events, & Tourism cluster: Hospitality Service careers-300600.

– Cross-cutting career-license for the Digital Technology cluster: Communication Technology careers-300000.
– Cross-cutting careers license for the Management & Entrepreneurship cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.
– Cross-cutting career-license for the Marketing & Sales cluster: does not exist yet in Minnesota.

Family and Consumer Sciences Industry in Minnesota

Minnesota is a state of mind filled with adventure, culture, and curiosity. And we’re a state of opportunity, committed to building what matters and making the world a better place for everyone. Minnesotans working in the consumer services industry help people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential, with a shared belief that when Minnesotans help other Minnesotans, we create a brighter future for all of us.

  • 4th Most Educated State (DEED, 2024)
  • 3rd in Child Well-Being (Kids Count Report, 2022)
  • 4th Best State to Live in All Rankings (US News and World Report, 2024)
  • 5th in Percent of Population with a High School Degree (DEED, 2024)
  • 3rd in Labor Force Participation Rate for Women (DEED, 2024)
  • 2nd in Quality of Life (World Population Review, 2022)
  • 1st Least Stressed State (WalletHub, 2023; 2nd in 2022; 3rd in 2021; 1st in 2020)
  • 3rd Best State to Raise a Family (WalletHub, 2024; 2nd in 2023)

Minnesota FCS Companies

  • Aveda
  • Dairy Queen
  • Caribou Coffee
  • Famous Daves
  • Great Clips
  • Radisson Hotels
  • Sleep Number
  • State of Minnesota
  • Supercuts
  • Target

Top in-demand and high-wage careers in human services



  • Half of all cosmetology jobs pay between $29,830 and $55,730 per year, with 17% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all interior design jobs pay between $50,634 and $78,412 per year, with 2.3% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all teaching jobs pay between $51,392 and $80,821 per year, with 6.6% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.
  • Half of all social service manager jobs pay between $61,926 and $99,354 per year, with 11.8% projected growth in job demand during the next ten years.

Childcare Admin

Teacher

Cook/Chef

Cosmetologist

Social Worker

Interior Designer

Three Components of Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Education

FCS Courses and Labs

Academic, Rigorous Instruction

Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) prepares students for high wage, high skill, and in demand jobs and careers in culinary, hospitality, fashion and textiles, early childhood, and education careers. FCS integrates science and math, ideally while meeting high school graduation requirements and earning college credit and industry certifications. FCS is contextual, combining classroom and laboratory, often making heavy use of project-based learning.

Essential elements include: career awareness, exploration, and preparation; programs of study based on industry; and a balance of classroom and laboratory instruction, which uses technology.

FCS Work-Based Learning

Technical, Relevant Experience

Students learn best by doing. A work-based learning (WBL) project is an extension of the classroom, where students develop specific technical and career knowledge that prepares them for their future. Within FCS, students begin exploring careers of interest, followed by relevant experiences with business and industry, most often through internships or simulated School-Based Enterprises at the school such as a school restaurant or childcare operation.

Essential elements include: work-based learning opportunities guided by training agreements and training plans; safety instruction and policies.

Minnesota FCCLA

Affective, Relationships/Leadership

FCCLA is the Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) for Family and Consumer Science (FCS) and Human Services programs and is available to any student who has taken a course in FCS. Minnesota FCCLA promotes personal growth and leadership development through Family and Consumer Sciences education. State membership as of 2022 was more than 2,973 students in 54 FCCLA chapters.

Essential elements include: leadership development opportunities through student organizations or other means.

Courses in Family & Consumer Science

– Introduction to Family and Consumer Science
– Career Investigation and Exploration
– Finance and Financial Literacy
– Interpersonal Relationships and Communication
– Family Life Skills and Relationships

– Culinary Skills, Foods, and Industry
– Baking
– Hotel Restaurants
– Food Science and Food Chemistry
– Nutrition
– FCS/Hospitality Work-Based Learning

– Hospitality Business and Finance
– Restaurant Management
– Front of the House
– FCS/Hospitality Work-Based Learning

– Lodging and Hospitality
– Tourism Occupations
– FCS/Hospitality Work-Based Learning

– Design Fundamentals
– Apparel Design and Production
– Textiles, Fabric Arts, and Sewing
– Apparel and Textile Design and Construction
– Fashion Marketing and Design
– FCS/Creative Design Work-Based Learning

– Design Fundamentals
– Visual Design
– Housing and Interior Design
– FCS/Creative Design Work-Based Learning

– Child Care Operations and Careers
– Child and Human Development
– Infant and Toddler Care
– Pre-School Development
– Pre-School Operations
– Gerontology
– FCS/Early-Childhood Work-Based Learning

– Education Careers
– Teacher Cadet/Internship
– FCS/Education Work-Based Learning

Districts with FCS Programs

Ada-Borup-West, Badger, Bemidji, Blackduck, East Grand Forks, Goodridge, Greenbush Middle River, Grygla, Kelliher, Lancaster, Mahnomen, Marshall County Central, Park Rapids, Red Lake Falls, Roseau, South Koochiching, Thief River Falls, Tri-County, Warroad, Waubun-Ogema-White Earth, and Win-E-Mac.

Aitkin, Cloquet, Cook County, Duluth, Esko, Hibbing, International Falls, Lake Superior, Littlefork-Big Falls, Mesabi East, Mountain Iron-Buhl, Northeast Service Cooperative (Region 3), Proctor, and Rock Ridge.

Brainerd, Cass Lake-Bena, Crosby-Ironton, Freshwater Education District, Little Falls, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle, Menahga, Pequot Lakes, Pierz, Pillager, Pine River-Backus, Sebeka, Staples-Motley, Upsala, Verndale, Wadena-Deer Creek, and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.

Alexandria, Barnesville, Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley, Detroit Lakes, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, Fergus Falls, Frazee-Vergas, Hawley, Herman-Norcross, Lake Park Audubon, Minnewaska, Moorhead, Morris, New York Mills, Osakis, Pelican Rapids, Perham-Dent, and Wheaton.

Albany, Annandale, Becker, Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, Big Lake, Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose, Cambridge-Isanti, Chisago Lakes, Dassel-Cokato, Delano, East Central, Elk River, Hinckley-Finlayson, Holdingford, Kimball, Meeker and Wright Special Education, Melrose, Monticello, Mora, North Branch, Onamia, Pine City, Princeton, Rockville-Cold Spring-Richmond (ROCORI), Rush City, Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Centre, Sauk Rapids-Rice, St. Cloud, St. Michael-Albertville, TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning, and Wright Technical Center.

Anoka-Hennepin, Bloomington, BlueSky Charter, Brooklyn Center, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Centennial, Columbia Heights, Eastern Carver County, Eden Prairie, Edina, Farmington, Forest Lake, Fridley, Great River School, Hastings, Hopkins, Intermediate 287, Intermediate 288 (Southwest Metro), Intermediate 916 (Northeast Metro), Intermediate 917, Jordan, Lakeville, Mahtomedi, Minneapolis, Minnesota Transitions Charter, Minnetonka, Mounds View, New Prague, North St. Paul-Maplewood Oakdale, Osseo, PACT Charter, Prior Lake-Savage, Randolph, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Roseville, Saint Paul, Shakopee, South St. Paul, South Washington County, Spring Lake Park, St. Anthony-New Brighton, St. Francis, Upper Mississippi Academy, Waconia, Watertown-Mayer, Wayzata, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, and White Bear Lake.

Adrian, Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City, Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian, Dawson-Boyd, Ellsworth, Glencoe-Silver Lake, Hendricks, Heron Lake-Okabena, Hutchinson, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Lakeview, Litchfield, Luverne, Marshall, Minneota, Montevideo, Murray County Central, New London-Spicer, Ortonville, Pipestone, Redwood, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Tracy Area, Westbrook-Walnut Grove, Windom, Worthington, and Yellow Medicine East.

Blue Earth, Cleveland, Fairmont, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Lake Crystal-Wellcome Memorial, Le Sueur-Henderson, Mankato, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva (NRHEG), New Ulm, River Bend Education District, Sibley East, Springfield, St. James, St. Peter, Tri-City United, United South Central, and Waseca.

Albert Lea, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Byron, Dover-Eyota, Faribault, Goodhue, Goodhue County Education District, Hayfield, Houston, Kasson-Mantorville, Kenyon-Wanamingo, La Crescent-Hokah, Lake City, Northfield, Owatonna, Red Wing, Rochester, Rushford-Peterson, Stewartville, Winona, Zumbro Education District, and Zumbrota-Mazeppa.

Directory of FCS Programs and Teachers | Directory of FCCLA Chapters | Open FCS Teaching Jobs

FCS State Leadership and Professional Organizations

Minnesota association for career and Technical Education

Learn more about MnACTE
Minnesota association of family and consumer sciences

Learn more about MAFCS

FCS Curriculum

– FCS TIP Curriculum Drive
– FCS Safety Curriculum
– ProStart Curriculum
– National FCS Curriculum
– FCS MDE State Standards (Frameworks)

FCS Resources

– FCS General Resources
– FCCLA Resources
– FCS Program Approval Webinars
– FCS MDE Program Approval Database
– FCS Job Posting Guidance

FCS Funding

– CTE Revenue
– CTE Perkins Funding
– CTE Cooperative Funding
– FCS MDE Program Approval Forms
– Other CTE Grants

State Staff in FCS Education

FCS Teacher Preparation and Mentoring

Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Licenses:

Minnesota State University – Mankato

Licenses:

PELSB – Portfolio Pathway

Licenses:

CTE Teacher Induction
Program (TIP)

Introductory mentoring and induction for secondary teachers new to the profession who need support with foundations of CTE and basic pedagogy/instruction, most often Tier 1 and Tier 2 teachers. CTE TIP offers free curriculum, mentoring, professional development, and resources.

FCS Teacher Induction
Program (TIP)

Advanced mentoring and induction for those who have recently completed a teacher preparation program (Tier 3) or those who have completed CTE-TIP (Tier 2 or Tier 3) and need license-specific support to build a program, design and adopt curriculum, and enhance their teaching and pedagogy.

Free mentoring, curriculum, and support from a program with more than 20 years of success.

Learn More

Additional FCS Resources

Minnesota State hosts eight Centers of Excellence – each serving a major industry that faces serious workforce challenges. The centers collaborate with industry and educators to attract and prepare students for success in high-demand careers.

Strategically located throughout the state, the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence drive workforce innovation through education and industry collaboration – and provide thought leadership on workforce development in their respective industries.

The Minnesota Department of Education administers rule and funding unique to CTE, including federal Perkins (under sole source agency Minnesota State) and CTE revenue. The MDE state specialist for T&I is Julia Henderson.

The nine Service Cooperatives are regional governments and school districts under Minnesota State Statute 123A.21. The cooperatives work as a liaison to state agencies and districts and have strong partnerships with business and industry, postsecondary institutions, and other associations that provide opportunities for Minnesota districts, teachers, and students.

The Cooperatives partner to form the MN CTE Consortium to provide statewide services in CTE teacher licensure, induction/mentoring, and professional development under Minnesota State Statute 124D.4536.

Minnesota State colleges and Minnesota school districts were self-formed in 2008 to promote collaborative planning and implementation of Career and Technical Education programs through the Perkins federal grant. Each consortium has at least one Minnesota State college and one school district, including charter schools. 

FCS Frequently Asked Questions

Vocational Education (Vo-Ed) evolved into Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the 1990s and 2000s. The 2018 Perkins V Strengthening Career and Technical Education act definitively shifted Vocational Education to Career and Technical Education, dropping the word vocational from the act’s title. At a very superficial level, CTE and Vo-Ed look like they are the same thing, but philosophically they are fundamentally different. CTE provides students with experiences from career exploration and career development all the way to occupation-specific technical skills leading to careers that are high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand. CTE programs align secondary, postsecondary, business, and industry to create multiple opportunities in a career pathway. The philosophy of vocational education was to provide those very specific technical skills tracking towards a specific job right out of high school. References to vocational, Vo-Ed, or Voc-Ed are antiquated and conjure up an image that is not reflective of the vast array of today’s highly technical and in-demand careers.