Master's Degree - Option A - initial teacher certification
Option A is a 36-41 credit hour program for students with a bachelor's degree in a related field and who want to become teachers of FCS Education, formerly known as home economics or FACS.
This teacher preparation program is taught completely online and includes ten (10) core courses, two (2) one-credit practica, and a student teaching experience.
Core Courses
This course focuses on educational practices and policies for people from historically oppressed groups in the U.S. foundations of multicultural education. Students discuss contemporary educational issues within the context of multicultural and cultural diversity and critique curricular materials and resources promoting a multicultural perspective.
In this course, student learn about legal and ethical requirements for educating exceptional learners; identification, referral, and placement procedures; development and use of the Individualized Education Program; strategies for teaching and evaluating; and managing the academic and social behaviors of a range of exceptional and other at-risk learners in the secondary school.
The focus of this course is analysis and development of curriculum and methods of teaching Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) in the context of the National Standards for FCS Education, the National Standards for Teachers of FCS and the standards for the state in which the candidate will teach. This course includes these content topics: learners and the learning environment, professionalism, beginning instructional strategies, writing objectives, developing lesson plans, assessment, curriculum development, integration of technology in the FCS classroom, and the national student organization Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
This course addresses application of theories of learning and human development in selecting teaching strategies and instructional resources for Family and Consumer Sciences. Topics of the course include long range planning, classroom management, laboratory management, assessment and program evaluation, marketing/public relations, models of teaching, and the national student organization Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA).
Students learn historical, philosophical, and legislative bases of family and consumer sciences education. Course content includes the role of family and consumer sciences in secondary schools and other educational settings.
This course is about planning and implementing occupational Family and Consumer Sciences programs in career and technical education. Course content includes cooperative education, career pathways, and work-based education.
The practicum experience is centered on the observation of, the participation in, and reflection on the various roles and responsibilities of the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher and the profession of teaching. Through observation in the classrooms, class preparations, and discussions, the student begins to construct the knowledge base needed to be an effective career and technical classroom teacher in Family and Consumer Sciences.
This course is a study of mental, social, and emotional development of boys and girls during the adolescent period.
This course introduces students to the relevance and need for incorporating reading and developing reading skills in middle and high school classrooms. Students in this course learn how to use a variety of materials in the classroom, including textbooks, literature, Internet resources, and media, to help secondary students, grades 8-12, learn family and consumer sciences information.
This course provides an introduction to the elements of designing a research project. It supports students in becoming critical consumers of research and provides strategies for searching for and critiquing literature. It also provides guidance on writing a research proposal.
This course provides students actual experience in the teaching of Family and Consumer Sciences (10-weeks minimum) for a supervised student teaching experience. One middle level and one high school experience are required.
This course involves the integration of technology in the family and consumer sciences classroom focused on the National Education Technology Standards (NETS).
Elective Courses
This course is an introduction to the national student organization Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and its programs. This course is for new advisors and college students enrolled in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) teacher preparation programs. Topics include history and philosophy of FCCLA, chapter affiliation and governance, educational and service related projects, integrating FCCLA activities with the FCS curriculum, and publicizing and promoting FCCLA.
Enhance your career through a wide variety of professional development experiences by utilizing local, state, national and international professional associations. Identify the importance of building a professional network in Family and Consumer Sciences, Home Economics, government, business, and non-profit organizations. Emphasis is given to leadership and professional development, while drawing upon professional and personal experiences at the state, national and international level. This course will help you to identify your leadership style and analyze your leadership potential for building your own network and memorable experiences at the national and international level.
Research/Thesis
Required or elective courses such as creative components, directed studies, practica, research and theses are available through your home university. Consult with your academic advisor about course selection and scheduling.
Program Summary
Cost per credit hour:
2022-2023: $600
2023-2024: $600
Learn more about Tuition and Cost
Average time to complete:
Master's Option A: 28 months
Master's Option B: 23 months
38–41 Hours
36 Hours
University Contact
These campus coordinators can help you navigate Great Plains IDEA. Click on the university name to learn more about how Great Plains IDEA works at that campus.
Central Washington University
Bree Devlin
North Dakota State University
Stacy Duffield
Oklahoma State University
Karla Sisco
South Dakota State University
Sarah (Heewon) Kim
Texas Tech University
Ashlee Murden
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lisa King
The Great Plains IDEA program has granted me opportunities through online learning that would never be possible in a traditional setting. As a military family, we are required to move frequently and sometimes unexpectedly. There were times when I lived in three different states in a matter of one year. The Great Plains IDEA program allows me to receive an outstanding education regardless of my home state. I have access to classes and universities throughout the United States to provide a comprehensive array of knowledge in my field. The Great Plains IDEA program has proven to be an excellent fit for myself and for my family.