Family & Consumer Sciences

FACS Overview
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, formerly the Department of Home Economics, offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with two comprehensive tracks; Fashion Merchandising and General Family and Consumer Studies. The Department's curriculum encompasses the study of relationships among people in their personal spaces, focusing on the impact of the physical, biological, social and economic environments, and their effects on human behavior and development.

Mission
The primary mission of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is to prepare students with the competencies and skills needed to address changes and new developments in goods and services and to work with communities to implement programs to improve the life of individuals, families and communities. In addition, a major focus for the Department is to enhance the quality of family life through teaching, research and service within an urban setting. 

Welcome Message from the Department Chair 

Dear Prospective Student, 

I, Dr. Lurline Whittaker, would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Morgan State University. Whether you are a high school graduate or transferring from another college or university, our department is ready to assist you in preparing for exciting career opportunities in areas such as fashion merchandising, childcare administration, and General Family and Consumer Studies.

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers the Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with tracks in Fashion Merchandising and General Family and Consumer Studies.

• The General Family and Consumer Studies track provides interested students with courses from each curriculum area within the Department. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for career opportunities in schools, colleges, extension services, businesses, federal programs and child-care. The curriculum includes courses in child development, family and human relations, consumer education, management, housing, clothing and textiles. Students who desire to teach Grades 7 through 12 or Early Childhood Education must pass Praxis I and II to become certified. Past graduates have been hired by the public school systems in the state of Maryland, the Department of Social Services, Social Security Administration, Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC), and Head Start.

• The Fashion Merchandising track brings together perspectives from art, business management, computer technology, natural sciences, and social sciences. Our curriculum offers students the opportunity to learn about various aspects of the fashion industry, including design, production, evaluation, distribution, and consumption of textiles, clothing, accessories, and home furnishings within the United States and abroad. A required internship, service-learning activities, guest speakers, and field trips further prepare our students for their chosen careers. At the conclusion of our program, our students will be prepared to work in entry-level management positions in the broad field of fashion, with an emphasis on retail products and services. Career opportunities are available as fashion designers, fashion accessories designers, buyers, retailers, marketing, dress designers, evening wear / bridal designers and other related occupations.

The Fashion Merchandising students display their talents by performing in fashion shows at the Open House for the School of Education and Urban Studies in October and March of the academic year. They also attend the MAGIC Tradeshow meeting for fashion designers and buyers in Las Vegas where they have the opportunity to view new collections for the upcoming seasons so that buyers can stay current on new trends in the fashion industry.

If you have any questions, please contact me at (443) 885-3949, email lurline.whittaker@morgan.edu.

Lurline V. Whittaker

Lurline V. Whittaker, Ph.D., MPH
Interim Chairperson

Department Tracks