COURSE CURRICULUM

The Consumer Affairs degree is a highly in-demand program that offers three strong concentration areas designed to prepare students for diverse careers in family services, education, and financial management. The Personal Financial Management Concentration focuses on consumer advocacy, financial counseling, nonprofit management, and government-related financial services, equipping students with practical skills to help individuals and families make informed financial decisions; it also includes the Texas State AFCPE Registered Education Program, which aligns with the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education and supports students in working toward the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) designation. The Family and Consumer Sciences Concentration provides a broad interdisciplinary foundation in areas such as child development, nutrition, housing, financial management, fashion, and consumer studies, preparing students for careers in community services, social programs, and family-related fields. The Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Concentration prepares students for certification as educators by combining subject-area knowledge with teaching methods, enabling them to teach topics like nutrition, personal finance, communication, and life skills in middle and high schools; this pathway is especially valuable due to the nationwide shortage of FCS teachers and offers strong job opportunities, with starting salaries in Texas often exceeding $50,000 for a nine-month contract along with benefits and retirement plans. Overall, the Consumer Affairs degree equips students with transferable, real-world skills and multiple career pathways that combine financial literacy, human development, and education, making graduates well-prepared for professional success in both public and private sectors.