DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER SCIENCESOverview of the departmentThe mission of the Department of Consumer Sciences is to provide strong undergraduate and graduate programs in the industry. Further, the department strives to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the area of consumer sciences and to apply this knowledge to improving the quality of life of individuals, families, and communities in the State of Alabama and the region.
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Academics
Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Consumer Sciences prepares students for leadership roles in business, government, and non-profit settings through two concentrations: Consumer Affairs and Family Financial Planning and Counseling. Consumer sciences students have interests in personal finance, consumer behavior, marketing, public policy, and related fields that require the expertise of professionals who understand the role consumers play in today’s markets. Students who successfully complete required coursework may be eligible to sit for two professional certifications: The Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC) exam offered by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®, and the CFP® certification exam that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Consumer Sciences offers a M.S. in Consumer Sciences with two concentration areas: Consumer Economics and Family Financial Planning and Counseling. Each can be completed with 30 credits. Students who successfully complete required coursework may be eligible to sit for two professional certifications: The Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC) exam offered by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®, and the CFP® certification exam that leads to the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification registered with the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. The department also offers a Consumer Quality Management area of study and a 15-credit hour graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution.
Distance Education
To learn more about courses offered through distance education, contact Bama By Distance (bamabydistance.ua.edu) at (205) 348-0089 or 1-800-467-0227 or email at uadistance@ua.edu.