Teacher Education

Students prepare to meet the State of Illinois teacher certification requirements. This certification allows them to teach all areas of family and consumer sciences at the junior and senior high school levels (grades 6-12) in a public school setting.

See our Alumni Page for a list of where some of our recent graduates are teaching. It is not uncommon for our students to receive six or seven job offers during their last semester or after they graduate. The range of salaries has been between $26,000 - $40,000+ for first year teacher with a B.S. degree.

Looking for a Hot Career Opportunity

Have you ever considered teaching Family and Consumer Sciences? Over the past five years, Illinois State family and consumer science teacher education majors with a bachelor's degree obtained teaching positions with starting salaries ranging from $28,000 to $42,000

Each year the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Illinois State receives calls and written announcements posting openings for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers that are not listed in any placement bulletins. These include position openings not only in Illinois, but in California, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, Indiana, and Missouri. A high number of Family and Consumer Sciences teaching positions were advertised in Illinois last year in the Illinois State University Placement Bulletin.

In the entire state of Illinois approximately 33 students graduated with a Family and Consumer Sciences teaching degree and are certified to teach. (Illinois Family and Consumer Educators Council, 2000). The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) has passed a resolution and created a task force to address the national shortage of Family and Consumer Science teachers which is a critical concern of the organization (AAFCS,1998).

A survey completed in 1996 predicted that in the next century, the demand would be three times greater than the supply of Family and Consumer Science educators. (Miller, S.H. and Meszaros, P.S. (1996) Study of national incoming supply and demand for Family and Consumer Sciences teachers and extension educators. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 88, (1) 51-54.

What does Family and Consumer Sciences education involve?

Teaching diverse populations: children, youth, adults, people with disabilities, the elderly, business professionals, and others
Teaching about problem solving and critical thinking, parenting skills, relationship skills, wellness and nutrition, clothing selection, time management, job skills and money management
Teaching that is integrated and interdisciplinary

What kind of college preparation will a family and consumer science teaching major receive?

Instruction in liberal arts through the general education program
Instruction in Family and Consumer Sciences subject matter
Instruction in teaching techniques, lesson planning, assessment, and technology
Practice in teaching, leadership development, and the use of community resources