Course List
- Students admitted into the MFCS-comprehensive program may select courses below to meet the requirements of their program of study. Course offerings are subject to change without notice; please refer to current course offerings list, available here.
- The 3-4 credit statistics requirement for the MFCS-comprehensive program can be fulfilled by taking Statistics 401 Statistical Methods for Research Workers or RESEV 552 and RESEV 553 Basic Educational Statistics.
- Additional courses are listed at www.Great Plains-IDEA.org. Click on Course Catalog; Search by Institution. Up to 14 graduate credits taken from other accredited institutions may transfer into the MFCS program of study. If taken from another institution, be sure the course is graduate level.
- For additional information and to register for Family Financial Planning (FFP) or Gerontology (GERON) courses, contact Karen Smidt, ksmidt@iastate.edu, 877-891-5349 (toll free) or 515-294-5397.
Fall course offerings:
FFP 520: Family Systems (Cr. 3)
Research and theory related to family functioning throughout the life cycle, especially financial decision making during crisis and conflict. Emphasis is given to factors that shape family values, attitudes, and behaviors from a multicultural perspective. New and emerging issues critical to family functioning are addressed.
FFP 530: Fundamentals of Family Financial Planning (Cr. 3)
The nature and functioning of financial systems, including currencies markets, monetary and fiscal policy and supply/demand for land, labor and capital. Focus is on the impact of global financial interdependence on individuals and families in the U.S. Current and emerging issues, as well as current research and theory relative to financial systems.
FFP 565: Personal Income Taxation (Cr. 3)
In-depth information on income tax practices and procedures including tax regulations, tax return preparation, the tax audit process, preparation for tax audit processes, the appeals process, preparation for an administrative or judicial forum, and ethical considerations of taxation. New and emerging issues related to taxation are covered. Family/individual case studies provide practice in applying and analyzing tax information and recommending appropriate tax strategies.
FFP 595 Financial Planning Case Studies (Cr. 3)
Integration of both theoretical and applied concepts, including research findings from two comprehensive cases illustrating a student's understanding of a wide range of financial planning concepts and techniques as well as an awareness of ethical issues. .
FFP 583 Investing for the Family's Future (Cr. 3)
An in-depth study of investment options for clients, this course will include common stocks, fixed income securities, convertible securities and related choices. Relationships between investment options and employee/employer benefit plan choices will be studied. Current and emerging issues and ethics will be an integral part of the course.
FSHN 566: Nutrition Counseling and Education (Cr. 3)
Application of counseling and learning theories with individuals and groups in community and clinical settings. Includes discussion and experience in building rapport, data assessment and interpretation, developing goals/outcomes, selecting learning activities, evaluation and documentation.
GERON 501C: Gerontology Seminar--Long Term Care (Cr. 3)
Administration principles involved in the planning, organizing and directing of long-term care agencies. Includes an in-depth exposure to federal and state standards and regulations governing long-term care.
GERON 530: Perspectives in Gerontology (Cr. 3)
An overview of current aging issues including the current focus of gerontology theory and research, critical social and political issues in aging, the interdisciplinary focus of gerontology, current career opportunities, and aging in the future.
GERON 540: Nutrition and Physical Activity in Aging
Spring course offerings:
FCEDS 508: Models for Teaching Family and Consumer Sciences (Cr. 2)
Selecting teaching strategies and instructional materials based on theories of learning and human development that reflect a professional philosophy of family and consumer sciences. Application to formal and non-formal educational settings with diverse audiences.
FCEDS 515: Assessment in Family and Consumer Sciences (Cr. 3)
Role of assessment in family and consumer sciences education programs. Planning and constructing test items and other assessments of school and non-school learning.
FCEDS 518: Occupational, Career and Technical Programs (Cr. 3)
Planning and implementing programs in occupational family and consumer sciences including FCCLA. Impact of selected legislation on family and consumer sciences programs. Techniques for cooperative education, school-to-work, and work-based education programs. Critique of national occupational competency standards. May be used toward Multi-Occupation Cooperative endorsement.
FCEDS 590R: Special Topics - Consumer Education
FCEDS 599: Creative Component (Cr. 1-3)
FCEDS 699: Research (Cr. 1-8)
FFP 535: Financial Counseling (Cr. 3)
This course focuses on theory, research and practice in the interactive process between the client and the practitioner in financial counseling. Topics covered include communication techniques, motivation and esteem building, the counseling environment, ethics, methods of data intake, verification and analysis. Other topics include legal issues and compulsive behavior, fee structures, use of technology to identify resources, information management and current issues.
FFP 540: Estate Planning for Families (Cr. 3)
Fundamentals of the estate planning process, including estate settlement, estate and gift taxes, property ownership and transfer and powers of appointment will be studied. Tools and techniques used in implementing an effective estate plan, ethical considerations in providing estate planning services, and new and emerging issues in the field will b explored. Case studies will provide experience in developing estate plans suitable for varied family forms.
FFP 555: Insurance Planning for Families (Cr. 3)
Risk management concepts, ethical considerations, tools, and strategies for individuals and families. Life insurance; property and casualty insurance; accident, disability, health and long-term care insurance; and, government-subsidized program. Case studies provide experience in selecting appropriate insurance products.
FFP 570: Professional Practices in Family Financial Planning (Cr. 3)
Challenges of managing financial planning practices including, but not limited to; business valuation, personnel, marketing, client services, ethics and technological applications. Relying both on a theoretical as well as an applied approach, students will analyze case studies that provide relevant, practical exposure to practice management issues, with a strong emphasis on current research findings.
FSHN 546X: Nutrition Education for Educators (Cr. 2)
Application of positive nutrition education strategies for individuals and groups of learners. Includes discussion and experience in introducing competent eating using a non-dieting approach. Other topics include positive behavior change, cultural sensitivity, and body image.
GERON 501B: Biological Principles of Aging (Cr. 3)
This course will give an overview of the normal aging process of the human body systems, environmental factors influencing normal aging, diseases and disorders associated with aging, and the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with aging. A special topics unit will include but is not limited to interviews and observations dealing with the aging process in humans. Iowa State University
GERON 534: Adult Development (Cr. 3)
This course explores the biological, psychological, and social factors that are associated with aging. Although the focus is on the later years, information is presented from a life-span developmental framework. Empirical studies are reviewed and their strengths, limitations and implications for normative and optimal functioning are discussed.
GERON 577: Aging in the Family Setting (Cr. 3)
Theories and research related to personal and family adjustments in later life affecting older persons and their intergenerational relationships. Related issues including demographics are also examined through the use of current literature.
HDFS 493B/593B: Partnering with Parents: Walking the Journey Together (Cr. 3)
Partnering with Parents consists of a series of 11 online training modules designed to strengthen the core competencies of parenting educators. It uses principles of family centered practices to facilitate learning and support with parents. Module topics include: Parenting with Special Challenges Exploring Child-rearing Strategies and Assessing Parenting Education Resources Parent Learning in Small Groups Understanding Child and Parent Development Feeding Children and Physical Activities for Families Guiding, Nurturing, and Motivating Children Measuring Program Outcomes Financial Stability and Family Well-being Building Support for Yourself and Professional Development.
HDFS 493/593: Workshop Special Topic (Cr. 1)
HRI 533: Hospitality Managerial Accounting (Cr. 1)
Use of common financial statements, accounting ratios, and financial techniques to impact management decisions.
HRI 582X: HACCP in Retail Foodservice (Cr. 3)
Examination of food handling practices in retail foodservice operations, and development, implementation, and evaluation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) programs. Research related to food safety and HACCP will be emphasized.
HRI 699: Research
TC 665: Social and Psychological Theories of Appearance
Analysis of social science theories and concepts applicable to clothing and appearance research.
Summer course offerings:
FCEDS 593D: Biotechnology Education Workshop II (Cr. 3)
Open to any science, agriculture and family and consumer science educators who have previously attended one of the biotechnology workshops. Learn how to prepare and instruct advanced laboratories in biotechnology. Activities include showing marker gene expression, DNA isolation, recombinant DNA techniques, DNA amplification, restriction analysis of DNA, bioinformatics, Bioethics and more. Perform the lab protocols that your students could do in class.
FFP 525: Family Economics (Cr. 3)
Major issues related to the economics of families including household production, and human capital development; the economics of crisis, public policy and family life cycle spending, saving and borrowing; new and emerging issues in the field of family economics; special attention will be given to the role of ethics in family economics issues.
FFP 530: Fundamentals of Family Financial Planning (Cr. 3)
The nature and functioning of financial systems, including currencies markets, monetary and fiscal policy and supply/demand for land, labor and capital. Focus is on the impact of global financial interdependence on individuals and families in the U.S. Current and emerging issues, as well as current research and theory relative to financial systems.
FFP 541: Housing and Real Estate in Family Financial Planning (Cr. 3)
An overview of the roles of housing and real estate in the family financial planning process from a theoretical perspective. Taxation, legal aspects, mortgages, and financial calculations related to home ownership and real estate investments are included. New and emerging issues in the context of housing and real estate are emphasized. Role of ethics in family financial planning with housing and real estate included.
FFP 545: Families, Employment Benefits & Retirement Planning (Cr. 3)
Micro and macro considerations in retirement planning for individuals and families. Various types of retirement plans, ethical consideration in providing retirement planning services, assessing and forecasting financial needs, integration of retirement plans with government benefits, and current research and theory. Case studies provide experience.
FFP 595: Financial Planning Case Studies (Cr. 3)
Integration of both theoretical and applied concepts, including research findings from two comprehensive cases illustrating a student's understanding of a wide range of financial planning concepts and techniques as well as an awareness of ethical issues.
FSHN 543XW: Medical Nutrition Therapy II (Cr. 1-6)
Discussion of the assessment, diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes fo nutritional problems in complex medical conditions with supervised practice experience. For students enrolled in the dietetics internship.
GERON 501D: Physical Activity in Aging
GERON 594: Professional Seminar in Gerontology (Cr. 3)
An integrative experience for gerontology students designed to be taken near the end of the degree program. By applying knowledge gained in earlier course work, students will strengthen sills in ethical decision-making behavior, applying these skills in gerontology-related areas such as advocacy, professionalism, family and workplace issues. Students from a variety of professions will bring their unique perspectives on topics of common interest.
HDFS 511: Family Theory (Cr, 3)
Theoretical approaches and current research in family development. Review the nature and value of theory to the study of the family and evaluate the use of theory in empirical research. Policy implications.
HDFS 493/593B: Partnering With Parents (Cr. 3)
Participate in interactive online activities such as chat rooms and small group assignments. Video streaming, discussion boards, e-journals and readings accompany each module. Each module is covered over a 2-week period. Course modules: The journey of parenting education; Cultural perspectives on parenting; Parenting with special challenges; Exploring child-rearing strategies and assessing parenting education resources; Parent learning small groups; Understanding child and parent development; Feeding children and physical activities for families; Guiding, nurturing and motivating children; Measuring program outcomes; Financial stability and family well being; Building support for yourself and professional development.
HDFS 521: Housing and the Social Environment (Cr. 3)
Housing adjustment behavior of individuals and families in the context of the social and cultural framework of society. Analysis of conceptual frameworks, methodological approaches, and current research in housing. Impact of housing on the family.
