Department Majors
General Education Requirements
Requirements for the Consumer Affairs Major
Requirements for the Personal Finance Major
Requirements for the
Retailing Major
Certificate Programs
Courses
1300 Linden Drive, Room 345 Madison, WI 53706; 608-263-5675;
csdept@mail.wisc.edu;
www.sohe.wisc.edu/cs/
Effective September 1, 2009, new address: 1305 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706
Professors Bartfeld, Douthitt, Holden, Hoyt, Jasper, Riportella (chair), Zepeda; Associate Professor Wong; Assistant Professors Collins, Schmeiser
The Department of Consumer Science develops and disseminates information on the ways in which the interactions among consumers, business, and government can enhance the interests and well-being of consumers, families, and communities. The department focuses on various dimensions of well-being including economic/financial security, consumer empowerment, health, food security, housing security, sustainability, and the public policy that affects those dimensions of well-being. Consumer science programs are interdisciplinary in nature and prepare 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. A 2.6 cumulative grade point average does not
guarantee admission, as the program is competitive. The 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. On-campus students interested in
learning about Consumer Science program admissions are encouraged to contact the
Student Academic Affairs Office at
acadaffairs@mail.sohe.wisc.edu
or call 608-262-2608 to register for a "Becoming a SoHE
Student" session.
For application deadlines and procedures for SoHE programs, see Prospective/Transfer Students.
For application forms, curriculum checksheets, and program specific information, see Student Academic Affairs Office Forms.
The consumer science department offers three majors: Consumer Affairs, Personal Finance, and Retailing. All three courses of study are interdisciplinary and integrative, and focus broadly on the economic well-being of consumers and families. Students take courses in the department as well as related courses in areas such as business, economics, and communication.
The consumer affairs major prepares students for positions in business and in local, state, and federal government which require a knowledge of consumer interests, creation and dissemination of consumer information, educational programming, consumer protection, and consumer products marketing.
The personal finance major prepares students for careers such as consumer credit counseling, personal banking, insurance, financial planning, investment analysis, and employee benefits analysis.
These majors also prepare students for graduate study in such fields as law, business, public administration, banking, consumer behavior and family economics. 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.
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 retailing 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.
General education requirements must be met by all students whose first college matriculation date is May 20, 1996, or thereafter.
Math 112 or higher (unless exempt), 0-3 cr
Speech Communication (Com Arts 100, 105, 181 or L Sc Com 100), 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, 205, 219, or 404, 3-4 cr
Psych 202, 3 cr
Soc, 3 cr
Choose at least one course from each category.
Physical Science
Chem 108 or 103, 3 cr
Geog 120 or 127, 3-5 cr
Geology 100 or 101, 3-5 cr
Biological Science
Zoology 101 or 151, 3 cr
Genetics 160, 3 cr
Anthro 105 or 107, 3 cr
Food Sci 120, 3 cr
Nutri Sci 132 or 350, 3 cr
Analytic Methods
Stat 302, 333, 349, 411, 3 cr
Math 210, 211 or 221, 3-5 cr
Marketing 310 or Gen Bus 303, 3 cr
Soc 361 or 544, 3 cr
6 credits of Human Ecology courses outside major department (HDFS, L Sc Com, Inter-HE, DS, Nutri Sci, Food Sci).
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 275 Consumer Finance, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 350 Consumer Mediation, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 The Consumer and the Market, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 565 Seminar in Consumer Science, 3 cr, or
Cnsr Sci 478 Consumer Information, 3
cr
Cnsr Sci 657 Consumer Behavior, 3 cr
Choose remaining 6 credits from:
Cnsr Sci 470 History of the Consumer Movements in the US, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 475 Family Economics, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 360 Sustainable and Socially Just Consumption
3 cr
Cnsr Sci 532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 575 Family Econ & Public Policy, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 601 Internship, 3 cr maximum
Com Arts 262 Theory and Practice of Argumentation and Debate, 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
Journ 201 Introduction to Mass Communication, 4 cr
L Sc Com 111 Science and Technology Newswriting, or
Inter HE 375 Community Newswriting
L Sc Com 435 Theory & Practice of Integrated Marketing Communication, 3 cr
L Sc Com 320 Feature Writing, 3 cr
L Sc Com 340 Contemporary Communication Technologies and their Social Effects, 3 cr
L Sc Com 360 Information Radio, 3 cr
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
Gen Bus 365 Family Business
Ownership & Management, 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
Poli Sci 219 Introduction to Public Policy, 3-4 cr
Poli Sci 405: State Government and Public Policy, 3-4 cr
Poli Sci 413: Problems of Urban Areas, 3-4 cr
Poli Sci 441: Business and Government in the U.S., 3-4 cr
Poli Sci 443: Public Administration, 3-4 cr
Poli Sci 530: Ethics and Values in Policymaking, 3-4 cr
Fam Com 505 Publications Editing, 3 cr
Fam Com 530 Print and Electronic Media Design, 3 cr
Gen Bus 301 Business Law, 3 cr
Gen Bus 365 Family Business Ownership & Management, 3 cr
Intl Bus 200 International Business, 3 cr
L Sci Com 375 Special Topics/Media Principles, 3 cr
Marketing 415 Marketing Communications, or
Journ 246 Principles of Advertising, 3 cr
Marketing 300 Marketing Management, 3 cr
Marketing 420 Global Marketing, 3 cr
Philos 341 Contemporary Moral Issues, 4 cr
Philos 243 Ethics in Business, 4 cr
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 475 Family Economics, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 477 Consumer and the Market, 3 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 6 credits from:
Cnsr Sci 350 Consumer Mediation: A Mechanism for Serving the Consumer, 3
cr
Cnsr Sci 360 Sustainable and Socially Just Consumption, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 478 Consumer Information, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 501 Family Estate Planning, 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
*Cnsr Sci 532 and 501 are 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 365 Issues in Family Business Ownership, 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
Gen&WS 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. 601 is required for those who wish to be eligible for the CFP exam.
Other Cnsr Sci courses such as 523, 532, or 601 may be used here if not selected for core Cnsr Sci courses above.
Additional course requirements are:
Cnsr Sci 357 Retail Theory and
Practice, 2 cr
Cnsr Sci 370 Computer Applications in Retailing, 3
cr
Cnsr Sci 250 Retailing Leadership
Symposium,
1 cr
Cnsr Sci 564 Retail Financial Analysis, 3 cr
Cnsr Sci 657 Consumer Behavior, 3 cr
Retail electives, 6 credits: Choose 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, 2-6 credits
Cnsr Sci 503 Prep for Retailing Internship, 1 cr and
Cnsr Sci 603 Retailing Internship, 1-6 cr or
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 360 Sustainable and Socially Just Consumption, 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
DS 120 Design: Fundamentals I, 3 cr
DS 251 Textile Science, 3 cr
DS 355 History of Fashion, 1400 to Present, 3 cr
DS 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
Intl Bus 200 International Business,
3 cr
Marketing 310 Marketing Research, 3 cr
Marketing 425 Marketing Channels, 3 cr
Marketing 430 Product and Price Management, 3 cr
Marketing 635 Sales Management, 3 cr
Marketing 640 Retail Management, 3cr
MHR 422 Small Business Management, 3 cr
OTM 350 Management of Service 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 120
Certificate programs are optional and are not required for graduation. The Certificate in Business (CIB) program is a UW-Madison-sponsored program that may be relevant to consumer science students. The CIB provides nonbusiness students the opportunity to earn a concentration in a clearly defined academic program in business. Additional information is available at the CIB Web site.