Graduate Certificate in
Family & Consumer Sciences
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PROGRAM DETAILS
- UK Online
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- Graduate Certificates
- Family & Consumer Sciences
About this Program
Develop a deeper understanding of culturally relevant and current topics that impact individual- and family life. The Online Graduate Certificate in Family and Consumer Sciences will provide you with the knowledge and skills to address contemporary issues among diverse families, communities, and work environments. The graduate certificate is ideal for individuals seeking advanced coursework and/or additional training to complement their existing program of study toward a community-based professional career.
Designed For
This program is ideal for professionals in education, social work, nutrition, and related fields who wish to specialize in empowering individuals and families with practical skills for daily living, budgeting, nutrition, and child development. It also benefits individuals interested in community outreach and advocacy roles focused on enhancing family well-being and quality of life.
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What You’ll Learn
Acquire critical-thinking skills to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments.
The Family and Consumer Sciences graduate certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills to positively impact the quality of individual and family life. The coursework provides students with the ability to amplify critical-thinking skills to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments. Program graduates will enhance capacity-building skills that empower individuals and families to thrive in an ever-changing society.
The 12-hour certificate is available to graduate students, as well as to practicing professionals and may be taken as a stand-alone program or as a part of a graduate degree program. The Family and Consumer Sciences graduate certificate is designed to partially meet the elective concentration component of the MS in Science Translation and Outreach.
Course Examples
- FCS 600 Foundations of Family and Consumer Sciences
- FCS 610 Media Technology, Families, and Society
- FCS 620 Working with Diverse Families in Culturally Sensitive Contexts
- One (1) elective course
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Schedule time to meet with a representative from UK Online to discuss your online learning options.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
- Personal statement - This should include information about your experience in this field as well as summarizing your interested in obtaining this Graduate Certificate.
- Three letters of recommendation (Only an email address is required. Our system will ask them to upload their letter.)
- Official transcripts
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2025
Spring 2025
Summer 2025
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
Do I need to have a master's degree to enroll in this graduate certificate?
The only degree needed to enroll in a graduate certificate program is a bachelor's degree.
Can I take this graduate certificate by itself?
Yes, graduate certificates can be taken by themselves. Our graduate certificate programs are designed to allow students to gain very specific skills and knowledge in a shorter amount of time than our degree programs in similar areas. Certificate programs can be useful to your career by itself, or when coupled with a degree-bearing program. This choice is completely up to the student.
What is the admission criteria?
Please view the Admission Criteria section, located under "How to Apply" on this page.
Tuition
Is financial aid available if this is the only program I enroll in?
Federal financial aid is not available to students who only enroll in a certificate program.
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully-online programs, it does not matter what state you live in. The rate is the same no matter where you live.
Online Learning
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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