A number of community colleges offer associate degree programs in family and consumer education, a field related to home economics. Students in these programs learn to manage household personal finances, relate to family members, and plan meals. Programs offer electives in family health, weight control, and early childhood development. While graduates can apply the skills they learn in these programs to their own lives, many continue their educations and earn teaching certifications.
The coursework in family and consumer education associate degree programs emphasizes practical skills in personal budgeting, childrearing, and interpersonal communications. Many programs also teach the methods that secondary school educators use to instruct others on these concepts. Some possible classes are:
Food management
Family finances
Making clothing
Maintaining family relationships
Education theories