Consumer Science Major
Requirements for the Consumer Science Major
Requirements for the Consumer Affairs Concentration
Requirements for the Personal Finance Concentration
Requirements for the Family Economics Concentration
Retailing Major
Requirements for the Retailing Major
Courses
Professors Apple, Douthitt, Goebel, Holden, Hoyt, Jasper (chair), Zepeda; Associate Professors Bartfeld, Riportella, Smith; Assistant Professors Gutter, Hatcher
The Consumer Science Department was formed within the School of Human Ecology in spring 1974. The field of consumer science develops and disseminates knowledge that may be applied in the consumer interest. The "consumer interest" includes any action, program, policy, or decision that is supportive of basic consumer rights. They are: the right to be informed, to safety, to choice, and to be heard. As such, consumer science is interdisciplinary in nature and prepares students for a variety of careers in government, business, the media, and/or education. Research and teaching emphasize both information about the consumer as well as for the consumer.
Admission of on-campus transfers occurs in the spring semester. Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.6 to be eligible to apply. Please note that a 2.6 cumulative grade point average does not guarantee admission, as the program is competitive. Application deadline is February 1 or the following Monday if February 1 falls on a weekend. The Student Academic Affairs office has information on application procedures.
The major meets the needs of students interested in qualifying for employment or graduate study in business, economics, personal finance, consumer law, or qualifying for employment or graduate study in the specialized areas of consumer behavior or family economics. Students may prepare themselves specifically for positions in business and in local, state, and federal government that require a knowledge of consumer interest and an ability to aid consumers through such skills as complaint handling, creation and dissemination of consumer information, educational programming, and consumer protection; or they may utilize the flexibility of the consumer science major to provide an alternative, consumer-oriented approach in preparing for careers in such areas as consumer products marketing, retailing, consumer financial planning, government service, and consumer affairs in business. In addition, the major can be utilized as preparation for graduate work outside the consumer field, including law, business, public administration, and banking.
The consumer science major, then, provides each student with a strong core of courses focusing on the economic well-being of consumers and families and a choice of additional study in related areas, including business, economics, financial planning or counseling, and social work.
Graduate study is necessary for positions as extension specialists in family and consumer economics and for teaching or research positions at the university level.
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to gain practical knowledge through the consumer science internship program.
General education requirements must be met by all students whose first college matriculation date is May 20, 1996, or thereafter.
Math 112 (unless exempt)
Communication, 2-3 cr
Stat 301, Poli Sci 551, Gen Bus 303, Psych 210, Econ 310, Soc 360, 3-4 cr
Literature, 3 cr
Additional humanities, 6 cr
Econ 101 and 102, 7 cr
Poli Sci 101, 104, 106, 404, 205 or 219, 3-4 cr
Psych 202, 3 cr
Soc, 3 cr
12 credits to include:
at least one physical science
and at least one biological science
and one analytic methods from:
Stat 302, 333, 349, 411
Math 210, 211 or 221
Soc 361 or 544
Marketing 310 or Gen Bus 303
6 credits of Human Ecology courses outside major department
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 275 Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 350 Mediation: A Mechanism for Serving the Consumer, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 470 History of the Consumer Movement, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 Consumer and the Market, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 565 Seminar in Consumer Science, 2 cr, with Cnsr Sci 699 Independent Study, 1 cr
Cnsr Sci 657 Consumer Behavior, 3 cr
Choose remaining 6 credits from:
Cnsr Sci 478 Consumer Information, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 501 Special Topics: Consumer and Community Collaboration, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 501 Special Topics: Philanthropy—An International Perspective, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 523 Gender, Poverty & Family Survival, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 566 Women and Philanthropy: Theory and Practice, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 575 Family Econ & Public Policy, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 601 Internship, 3 cr maximum
Women St 320 Gender and Economics, 3 cr
L Sc Com 111 Science and Technology Newswriting, 3 cr, or Fam Com 130 Family and Consumer Newswriting, 3 cr, or Fam Com 435 Theory and Practice of Integrated Marketing Communication, 3 cr
Com Arts 262 Theory and Practice of Argumentation and Debate, 3 cr, or
Com Arts 263 Speech Composition, 3 cr
Com Arts 266 Theory and Practice of Group Discussion, 3 cr
Com Arts 272 Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, 3 cr
Com Arts 368 Theory and Practice of Persuasion, 3 cr
Com Arts 371 Communication and Conflict Resolution, 3 cr
Com Arts 372 Rhetoric of Campaigns and Revolutions, 3 cr
Com Arts 410 Miscommunication, 3 cr
Com Arts 565 Community and Interethnic Behavior, 3 cr
Com Arts 572 Interpersonal Communication, 3 cr
Coun Psy 650 Theory and Practice in Interviewing 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 601 Consumer Science Internship, 3 cr maximum
Fam Com 330 Family and Consumer Feature Writing, 3 cr
Fam Com 430 Consumer Investigative Reporting, 3 cr
Journ 201 Introduction to Mass Communication, 4 cr
L Sc Com 340 Contemporary Communication Technologies and their Social Effects, 3 cr
L Sc Com 360 Information Radio, 3 cr
Choose 5 courses from:
Acct I S 100 Intro Financial Accounting or Acct I S 300 Accounting Principles,** 3 cr
Finance 300 Introduction to Finance,** 3 cr
Gen Bus 301 Business Law,*** 3 cr
Marktng 300 Marketing Management,** 3 cr
MHR 300 Organizational Behavior,** 3 cr
MHR 305 Human Resource Management,*** 3 cr
RMI 300 Principles of Risk Management,*** 3 cr
Philos 243 Ethics in Business, 4 cr
Philos 341 Contemporary Moral Issues, 4 cr
*All courses listed meet Certificate in Business program requirements from School of Business.
**Required for certificate.
***Elective for certificate.
Poli Sci 205 Introduction to State Government, 4 cr
Poli Sci 420 Administrative Law, 4 cr
Poli Sci 426 Legislative Process, 4 cr
Poli Sci 444 Administration of Public Policy, 4 cr
Poli Sci 472 Interest Group Politics, 4 cr
Choose 5 courses from:
Marketing 300 Marketing Management, 3 cr
Marketing 415 Marketing Communications, or Journ 246 Principles of Advertising, 3 cr
Fam Com 505 Publications Editing, 3 cr
Fam Com 530 Print and Electronic Media Design, 3 cr
L Sci Com 375 Special Topics/Media Principles, 3 cr
Marketing 420 Global Marketing, 3 cr
Intl Bus 200 International Business, 3 cr
Gen Bus 301 Business Law, 3 cr
Philos 341 Contemporary Moral Issues, 4 cr
Philos 243 Ethics in Business, 4 cr
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 275 Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 475 Family Economics, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 Consumer and the Market, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 501 Estate Taxes for Households, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 565 Consumer Science Seminar, 2 cr with
Cnsr Sci 699 Independent Study, 1 cr
Cnsr Sci 627 Adv Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 665 Household Risk Management, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 675 Family Financial Counseling, 3 cr
Choose remaining 3 credits from:
Cnsr Sci 350 Consumer Mediation: A Mechanism for Serving the Consumer, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 523 Gender, Poverty and Family Survival, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society, 3 cr*
Cnsr Sci 575 Family Econ and Public Policy, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 601 Internship, 3 cr maximum
Women St 320 Gender and Economics, 3 cr
*Cnsr Sci 532 is required for those who wish to be eligible for the CFP Exam upon graduation.
Acct I S 300 Accounting Principles, 3 cr
Acct I S 329 Taxation: Concepts for Business & Personal Planning, 3 cr
Coun Psy 650 Theory and Practice of Interviewing, 3 cr
Gen Bus 301 Business Law, 3 cr
RMI 300 Principles of Risk Management, 3 cr
RMI 620 Employee Benefits, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 601 Internship*, 1-6 cr
Finance 300 Intro to Finance, 3 cr
Gen Bus 302 Business Organizations and Negotiable Instruments, 3 cr
Real Est 306 The Real Estate Process, 3 cr
Real Est 312 Real Estate Law, 3 cr
Real Est 410 Real Estate Finance, 3 cr
Real Est 611 Residential Property Development and Management, 3 cr
RMI 610 Property Risk Management, 3 cr
RMI 630 Life and Health Insurance, 3 cr
Econ 330 Money and Banking, 4 cr
Econ 364 Survey of International Economics, 4 cr
Econ 450 Wages and the Labor Market, 4 cr
Econ 466 American Economy Since 1865, 4 cr
Econ 524 Philosophy and Economics, 3 cr
Econ 548 The Economics of Health Care, 3 cr
Marketing 300 Marketing Management, 3 cr
Women St 422 Women and the Law, 3 cr
Philos 341 Contemporary Moral Issues, 4 cr
Philos 243 Ethics in Business, 4 cr
*Only 3 credits of Cnsr Sci 601 can be applied to meet the major requirements.
Other Cnsr Sci courses such as 523, 532 or 601 maybe used here if not selected for core Cnsr Sci courses above.
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 275 Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 475 Family Economics, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 Consumer and the Market, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 565 Seminar in Consumer Science, 2 cr, with Cnsr Sci 699 Independent Study, 1 cr
Cnsr Sci 575 Family Economics and Public Policy, 3 cr
Choose remaining credits from Cnsr Sci 601 and other courses offered in the Consumer Science department. If Cnsr Sci 601 is chosen, no more than 3 credits may count toward fulfillment of this requirement.
Econ 343 Environmental Economics, 3 cr
Econ 450 Wages and Labor Management, 4 cr
Econ 508 Wealth and Income, 4 cr
Econ 663 Population and Society, 3 cr
AAE 323 Cooperatives, 3 cr
Choose a concentration in either analytic methods or political science. Select related courses accordingly.
Econ 301 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, 4 cr
Econ 302 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory, 4 cr
Econ 410 Introduction to Econometrics, 4 cr
Econ 590 Tutorial in Research Project Design, 3 cr
Soc 358 Design and Analysis of Social Research, 3 cr
Soc 359 Statistical Analysis of Social Research, 3 cr
Poli Sci 205 Introduction to State Government, 4 cr
Poli Sci 420 Administrative Law, 4 cr
Poli Sci 426 Legislative Process, 4 cr
Poli Sci 444 Administration of Public Policy, 4 cr
Poli Sci 472 Pressure Groups, 4 cr
Poli Sci 473 Public Opinion, 4 cr
The retailing major prepares students for managerial and merchandising careers in a dynamic, technologically advanced, and globally focused industry. Career opportunities, particularly in retail management, offer students rapid advancement with companies experiencing growth via new store formats, category specific concepts, or global expansion. Professional career options include store management, merchandising (buying), information systems, distribution and inventory management, public relations and advertising, consumer credit, personnel management, and direct marketing. Leading department store, discount, and specialty retail companies regularly recruit at UW-Madison, seeking candidates for executive training positions.
The major is built upon a general studies background requiring an analytical statistical aptitude. Degree requirements integrate retailing, consumer science, and business courses, providing options for specialization in small business management, retail business management, or retail sales communication. Through elective credits, students can gain an additional product/skills focus per career interests. A supervised field experience or competitive placement internship program provides an opportunity to earn degree credit for experiential learning.
The academic requirements for this major are:
General education requirements must be met by all students whose first college matriculation date is May 20, 1996, or thereafter.
Math 112 (unless exempt)
Communication, 2-3 cr
6 credits of Human Ecology courses outside of major department.
Stat 301, Pol Sci 551, Gen Bus 303, Psych 210, Econ 310, Soc 360, 3-4 cr
Literature, 3 cr
Humanities, 6 cr
Econ 101 and 102, 7 cr
Poli Sci 101, 104, 106, 404, 205 or 219, 3-4 cr
Psych 202, 3 cr
Soc, 3 cr
Choose at least one course from each category.
Physical Science
Chem 108 or 103
Geog 120 or 127
Geology 100 or 101
Biological Science
Zoology 101 or 151
Genetics 160
Anthro 105 or 107
Food Sci 120
Nutri Sci 132 or 350
Analytic Methods
Stat 302, 333, 349, 411,
Math 210, 211 or 221,
Marketing 310 or Gen Bus 303
Soc 361 or 544
Cnsr Sci 357 Retail Theory and Practice, 2 cr
Cnsr Sci 370 Computer Applications in Retailing, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 564 Retail Financial Analysis, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 657 Consumer Behavior, 3 cr
Choose 6 credits from the following:
Cnsr Sci 350 Consumer Mediation, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 560 Retail Promotion, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 561 Direct Retailing, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 562 International Retailing, 3 cr
Experiential Learning, 1-6 credits
Cnsr Sci 503 Prep for Retailing Internship, 1 cr and
Cnsr Sci 603 Retailing Internship, 1-6 cr
Cnsr Sci 602 Retailing Field Experience, 1 cr
Cnsr Sci 275 Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 Consumer and the Market, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 470 History of the Consumer Movement, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 475 Family Economics, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 478 Consumer Information 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 501 Special Topics: Consumer and Community Collaboration, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 523 Gender, Poverty and Family Survival, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 575 Family Economics and Public Policy, 3 cr
Acct I S 100 Introductory Financial Accounting or Acct I S 300 Accounting Principles, 3 cr
Marketing 300 Marketing Management, 3 cr
MHR 300 Organizational Behavior, 3 cr or MHR 305 Human Resource Management, 3 cr
Choose 9 credits based on area of specialization.
Retailing and Merchandising Management
AAE 323 Cooperatives, 3 cr
AAE 340 Issues in Food Systems, 3 cr
AAE 374 The Growth and Development of Nations/Global Economy, 3 cr
Acct I S 211 Principles of Managerial Accounting, 3 cr
ETD 120 Design: Fundamentals I, 3 cr
ETD 251 Textile Science, 3 cr
ETD 355 History of Fashion, 1400 to Present, 3 cr
ETD 561 Textile Specification and End Use Analysis, 3 cr
Food Sci 235 Nature of Food, 3 cr
Food Sci 437 Food Service Operations, 3 cr
Finance 300 Introduction to Finance, 3 cr
Finance 305 Financial Markets, Institutions and Economics, 3 cr
Gen Bus 301 Business Law, 3 cr
Gen Bus 365 Topic: Business Presentations and Meetings, 3 cr
Marketing 310 Marketing Research, 3 cr
Marketing 425 Marketing Channels, 3 cr
Marketing 430 Product and Price, 3 cr
Marketing 635 Sales Management, 3 cr
Marketing 640 Retail Management, 3cr
MHR 422 Small Business Management, 3 cr
OTM 350 Management of Services and Manufacturing Operations, 3 cr
Philos 243 Ethics in Business, 3-4 cr
Philos 341 Contemporary Moral Issues, 4 cr
Real Est 306 The Real Estate Process, 3 cr
Choose courses to bring degree credit total to 124
275 Consumer Finance. I, II; 3 cr (S-E). An introduction to concepts and methods used in personal and family financial planning. Methods for planning and allocating resources to attain specific financial objectives are discussed. Topics include investments in real and financial assets, consumer credit issues, and insurance, pension, tax, and estate planning. P: Open to Fr.
299 Independent Study. I, II; 1-3 cr (I). P: Cons inst.
350 Mediation: A Mechanism for Serving the Consumer Interest. I; 3 cr. Will examine the area of dispute resolution for consumer complaints mediated by consumer affairs professionals. Discussion of how mediation empowers the consumer interest; consumer complaint behavior, and areas of dispute in industry and government will be integral parts of this course. P: Open to Fr.
357 Retailing Theory and Practice. I; 2 cr. Retailing organization and policies, the operation of the buying and selling functions, merchandise control and basic retail mathematics. P: So st or cons inst.
370 Computer Applications in Retailing. I, II; 3 cr. Application of computer technology and analysis within the retailing environment. Topics include: merchandise inventory control and distribution, trend analysis and forecasting, electronic POS systems, credit authorization and control, store design and planning, and ethical issues. P: Jr st, Cnsr Sci 357.
371 Economic, Social and Psychological Aspects of Housing. (Crosslisted with ETD) 3 cr (S-E). Housing problems from a household perspective: public and private approaches to their solutions. P: So st.
470 History of Consumer Movements in the United States. I; 3 cr. A survey of the historical interpretations and analyses of consumer activist efforts in the United States from the mid-nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. P: So st.
473 The History of Motherhood in America. (Crosslisted with HDFS, Inter-HE) II; 3 cr (Z-I). A survey of the biological, social and cultural aspects of motherhood and mothering from the colonial period to the late twentieth century. P: Jr st.
475 Family Economics. I; 3 cr (S-I). Analysis of the family as a unique economic unit in the changing American economy. P: Econ 101.
477 The Consumer and the Market. I, II; 3 cr (S-I). Analysis of the consumer's market, consumer's behavior, and government policies affecting the consumer in the American economy. P: Econ 101.
478 Consumer Information. II; 3 cr (S-I). Analysis of information available to consumers; evaluation of its sources and its quality. Examination of consumers' and consumerists' efforts to obtain information and to influence information sources. Evaluation of consumers' performances in the marketplace under conditions of incomplete information. P: Cnsr Sci 477.
501 Special Topics. I, II; 1-3 cr. P: Prerequisites vary by topic.
503 Preparation for Retailing Internship. I; 1 cr. Course prepares students for the competitive interviewing process required for retailing internship placement. Students research individual companies, analyze industry trends, and develop strategies for effective interviewing. P: Cons inst.
523 Gender, Poverty and Family Survival: Cross Cultural Perspectives. (Crosslisted with Women St) Irr.; 3 cr (S-I). Examines different ways of thinking about poverty and assesses how well they help us to understand causes of women's poverty and develop strategies to alleviate it. Examples are drawn from around the world. P: Women St 101 or 102 or Econ 101.
527 Consumer Spending and Saving Over the Lifecycle. Irr.; 3 cr (S-I). Analysis of consumer patterns of spending and saving from a lifecycle perspective using consumer expenditure data. Introduces consumption theory and economic, social and psychological factors affecting consumption patterns. P: Cnsr Sci 275; Jr st or cons inst.
532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society. (Crosslisted with Rur Soc, Soc) II; 3 cr (S-I). This course covers issues related to health and health care delivery in our society. Topics include social, cultural and ethical influences on consumer definitions of health and use of medical care, and on the health care system's responses. P: Jr st.
560 Retail Promotion. I or II; 3 cr. Developing store image through visual merchandising, advertising, sales, and other promotional activities. P: Cnsr Sci 357.
561 Direct Retailing. I or II; 3 cr. Provides detailed information on direct retailing, the process of selling to the consumer via an interactive system. Allows students to study strategic areas of importance for managers and become familiar with current literature on direct retailing. P: Jr st.
562 International Retailing. II; 3 cr. Retailing in the global market. Social, economic, cultural, and technological factors influencing merchandising, distributing, and consumption trends. Legal and ethical issues related to international retailing. P: Cnsr Sci 357.
563 Retail Facility Planning and Design. (Crosslisted with ETD) Irr.; 3 cr. Application of retailing theory, concepts, and practice to the design and development of physical retail spaces: review of case studies; total project design, development, and presentation. P: Jr st, ETD 120 or Cnsr Sci 357 or cons inst.
564 Retail Financial Analysis. I; 3 cr. Provides tools for planning and analyzing retail financial performance. Includes elements of retail financial statements, pricing, purchasing terms and conditions, merchandise planning, inventory control, and economic factors that impact retail businesses. P: Acct I S 100 or 300, Cnsr Sci 357.
565 Seminar in Consumer Science. I, II, SS; 2 cr. Analysis of the economic welfare of the family in a changing economy and current social policy issues. P: Sr or Grad st and cons inst.
566 Women and Philanthropy: Theory and Practice. 3 cr (S-I). Women control a large amount of money through earnings and inheritance. Women's development and roles as philanthropists are examined. Social and cultural values and gender differences are looked at as they apply to philanthropic behavior. P: So st.
575 Family Economics and Public Policy. II; 3 cr (S-A). Analysis of objectives of public policies specifically concerned with the economic welfare of families as expressed or proposed in federal and state legislation; appraisal of their economic and social consequences; and analysis of the issue. P: One econ crse or cons inst.
601 Consumer Science Internship. I, II, SS; 1-8 cr. An internship in consumer affairs and retailing may be arranged through the Consumer Science Program Area. P: Cons of supervising inst, advisor & internship program coordinator.
602 Field Experience in Retailing. I, II, SS; 1 cr. Minimum of 200 hours of approved retailing experience with grade reported as Cr/N. Written evaluation required from student and supervisor. P: ETD 357 or con reg, Jr st.
603 Retailing Internship. I, II, SS; 1-6 cr. A supervised/coordinated experiential learning opportunity involving company-specific training in executive level retailing functions. P: Approval of faculty advisor, consent of program administrator.
627 Advanced Consumer Finance. I; 3 cr. Studies financial markets and instruments from the perspective of individual consumers and their portfolio decisions over their lifetime. P: Cnsr Sci 275 and one stats crse.
657 Consumer Behavior. I, II; 3 cr (S-A). Analyses from social and psychological perspectives. Motivation, perception, learning and attitude formation. Effects of social class, family structure, cultural backgrounds and reference groups. P: Intro course in econ & soc or psych or cons inst.
665 Household Risk Management. I or II; 3 cr. Application of advanced analytical techniques to examine household financial risk. Implications for financial planning of changes in family structure and earnings. Private and social insurance that guard against economic consequences of death, disability, ill health, retirement, marital dissolution. Use of financial planning software. P: Econ 101, Cnsr Sci 275 or cons inst.
675 Family Financial Counseling. II; 3 cr. Systems approach to family financial management, stressing development of interpersonal techniques by professionals who will assist individuals and families to become responsible financial managers. P: Cnsr Sci 275 & 627 or cons inst.
699 Independent Study. I, II; 1-6 cr (A). P: Cons inst.