What is the job availability for FACS majors?
There has been a severe shortage of teachers for several years in Arizona. Programs are actually closing because there are not enough teachers to fill open positions.
What range of careers do people with this major choose?
About 2/3 of majors go into teaching. The others usually go on to graduate school.
Are they satisfied with their job?
Most teachers stay in teaching for 6 or seven years before they decide whether to make it a career. What do they love/loathe? They love teaching the subject area and enjoy the students, but usually complain about the low pay and long hours.
Is FACS limited to secondary education teaching (middle, junior high and high school)?
A few districts have elementary programs, but generally it is a secondary program.
What level and content areas can I teach?
Unlike elementary certification, you must have a specific type and number of courses in the subject area you teach as well as courses in the purposes of and knowledge under girding teaching at that level, so you would not get certification in anything other than FACS and secondary education. These are what the FACS content and teaching courses sections reflect in our current course check sheet. (See course check sheet elsewhere on this web site.)
What if I already have an undergraduate degree?
If your goal is to teach middle and/or high school be a good candidate for our post-baccalaureate program. (See post-baccalaureate requirements elsewhere on this web site.)
How many credits can I transfer from a community college?
You can transfer up to 64 units from a community college ( see http://catalog.arizona.edu/2006-07/policies/cccredit.htm) You can search on the UA website for answers to most of your questions. You’d be surprised how many questions can be answered simply by searching this site.
Where do I get a fingerprint clearance card and why do I need it?
By Arizona law, anyone who has direct contact with children or adolescents in a school-based setting needs a fingerprint clearance card. You need a fingerprint clearance card before you do the Child Development in Group Settings practicum (FSHD 394) and to apply for student teaching in the Fall of your senior year. Fingerprint clearance cards must be obtained through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 602-223-2279. You may be physically fingerprinted anywhere, but DPS must process your fingerprints in order for you to obtain a Valid Fingerprint Clearance Card. It takes six to eight weeks to process this clearance, so it is best to start the process the semester before you take FSHD 394. These cards are good for six years. For further information, refer to : http://www.azdps.gov/reports/fingerprint/faq/default.asp
Why must I have 240 clock hours of documented work experience in an occupational area of FACS?
Most Family and Consumer Science programs offer courses that prepare students for entry level positions in child care professions, retailing and fashion merchandising, culinary arts and hospitality careers. An essential way to learn about these fields is to have worked in one or more of them. If you have no experience in these fields, you may take a practicum to gain such experience.
How do I document my FACS related work experience?
For the work documentation you need: On company letterhead, your name, social security number,dates of employment, total hours of employment, position(s) held, job title and general duties. Bear in mind that the work must fit into one of the approved areas for FACS. These are currently listed at http://www.ade.state.az.us/certification/requirements/vocational/CTE-FACS.pdf
How necessary is graduate school, and do you recommend going straight after the completion of a bachelor’s degree, or after a few years of working in the field?
You need 180 hours of professional development units (pdu's) or 12 graduate units every 6 years to renew a standard CTE-FCS teaching certificate. If you choose to become a career teacher, a master’s degree would be a likely step. It also moves you higher up on the salary scale in most districts than just getting 30 units and is more focused than a random 30 units of graduate credit.
I would definitely recommend waiting a few years until you felt more comfortable teaching. This would give you more time to decide what you wanted to get your degree in and the psychological space to continue teaching while working on the masters degree which would likely require taking courses during the school year and for several summers.
If I wanted to be a high school counselor, what would be the best next step for me to take after I earn my degree?
You need a master’s degree to become a high school counselor, so I would follow the advice above.
What about if I want to work educating the community in life skills?
What doI need to do then? You would probably be making your own job in a social service or heath maintenance organization. Most of these can be entered with a bachelor's degree in FSHD or FACS, but will require further education as you develop your career. If you want to be a certified family life educator, look at the FLE option in the FSHD major. Course work addresses in ten specific categories. See http://www.ncfr.org/cfle/c_certification.htm
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