CONSUMER AFFAIRS

DESCRIPTION OF DEGREE 

The consumer affairs major focuses on consumer interaction with the marketplace and public sector.  The major offers two emphasis areas:  family financial planning and resource management.  The financial planning emphasis provides a foundation to work directly with consumers in their personal and family financial planning.  Resource management provides a broad foundation from which graduates can pursue consumer and public relations, event planning, promotional positions, or other careers facilitating consumer/business interface.  The Family Financial Planning emphasis is available at University Center.

Consumer affairs students develop knowledge of consumer behavior, decision-making, resource management, and strategies to achieve consumer satisfaction.  Professional behavior and workplace leadership is developed throughout the major and culminates in an approved internship.

Graduates may be involved in analyzing business and consumer trends, identifying and reporting individual and family concerns, designing public relations/marketing strategies, identifying needs for new products, promoting products, or planning meetings and conventions.  They may also conduct financial planning, counseling, and education for individuals or families.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

General Education 

Written Communication (6 cr.)

SPCM 101 Fundamentals of Speech

ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics

Social Sciences/Diversity (3 cr)

Humanities and Arts/Diversity (6 cr)

Mathematics (3 cr)

Natural Sciences (6 cr)

Land & Natural Resources (3 cr)

Personal Wellness (2-3 cr)

Social Responsibility (3 cr)

Required of all Consumer Affairs Majors 

CA 150 Early Experience in Consumer Affairs

CA 230 Consumer Behavior

CA 289 Consumers and the Market

CA 340 Work Family Interface

CA 345 Foundations of Financial Planning for Individuals and Families

CA 412 Strategies for Consumer Affairs Professionals

CA 487 Transition to the Professional World

CA 494 Internship

Required for Family Financial Planning Emphasis 

CA 350 FFP:  Theory and Practices

CA 450 FFP:  Applications

ECON 201 Microeconomics

ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I

15 additional credits from an approved list of courses.

Must take 15 credits from the following list:

BADM 310 Business Finance

BADM 330 Money and Banking

BADM 334 Small Business Management

BADM 360 Organization and Management

ACCT 210  Principles of Accounting II

ACCT 430 Income Tax Accounting 

Total required credits:   128
 

CAREER POSSIBILITIES 

Account Executive

Accounts Payable Specialist

Business Office Manager

Business Owner

Business Systems Team Leader

Claim Service Representative

Client Relationship Manager

Compensation Analyst

Consumer Affairs Association Examiner

Communications Specialist

Director of Field Support

Director of Public Relations and Research

Employment Recruiter

Extension Education

Finance Director

Human Resources Manager

In Home Family Counselor

Insurance Agent

Leadership Programs Manager

Leasing Agent

Long Term Care Economic Assistance Caseworker

Marketing Manager

Mortgage Loan Officer

National Account Executive

National Account Support Specialist

Office Manager

Personal Banker

Productions and Logistics Manager

Program Director

Promotions and Advertising Manager

Recruitment Associate

Retention Sales Associate

Sales Coordinator

Travel Consultant

WHAT OUR STUDENTS & GRADUATES SAY 

There are several courses in the Consumer Affairs program that dealt with financial planning and these courses were vital in helping me to make my decision to go into the financial planning field. 

Not only did consumer affairs teach me about consumer issues, I learned the meaning of teamwork and organization. 

As a direct mail catalog marketing and merchandising manager, my Consumer Affairs background helps me better merchandise the catalog, evaluate buyer and prospecting performance, and gives me better insight for customer retention.