University News
WIU Family Consumer Sciences Program Now Four Distinct Majors; Undergraduate Degree Programs in Dietetics, Apparel/Textile Merchandising, Hospitality Management and Nutrition/Foodservice Management
September 2, 2015
MACOMB, IL — Before Fall 2015, students pursuing their major studies in the Western Illinois University Department of Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising and Hospitality (DFMH) graduated with a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences (FCS). As of the Fall '15 semester, students who graduate with a degree from the DFMH department will now graduate with a degree in either dietetics; apparel and textile merchandising; hospitality management; or nutrition and foodservice management.
According to DFMH Chair Mary Mhango, the changes in the department's curricula will enable WIU students (who will eventually complete their degrees in one of these areas) to be more competitive in their particular fields of study.
"These changes will attract students as they focus on one of the undergraduate majors now offered through our department. Once they graduate, they will have transcripts that show their degrees in their specific professional interest areas," Mhango explained. "Diverse career opportunities exist for graduates of each degree program."
Mhango noted those WIU students who graduate with a degree in apparel and textile merchandising will be prepared for many positions in the fashion industry, including jobs as fashion buyers, fashion coordinators, merchandising planners, product developers, department managers and merchandising managers, while dietetics graduates will be prepared for many different career areas, including management positions in hospitals, corporations, clinics and government agencies.
She said those who complete the hospitality management degree program will be prepared for entry-level employment as management trainees, as well as for supervisory positions in hotels, restaurants, public institutions and private clubs for a wide variety of management, marketing, catering and retail hospitality positions. Students completing the nutrition and foodservice management program will be prepared for management positions in the foodservice industry, nutrition programs and government agencies, she added.
Mhango also said second-year students pursuing the FCS degree can transfer into the new degree programs or complete their FCS degrees within the next three years.
For more information, contact Mhango at (309) 298-1085 or via email at M-Mhango@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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