FCS 202

Field Experience

department of family & consumer sciences

college of education

Western Michigan University

Enrollment Guide

Field Experience provides opportunities for experiential learning for Family and Consumer Science majors. Students extend their academic work with on-the-job training in retailing, design and marketing firms. The program is supervised by WMU faculty in cooperation with employers.

FAQ’s

Who is eligible to enroll in FCS 202?

To enroll in FCS 202, students must:

Ø Be a declared FCS major. (FST students must take FCS 100 prior to enrolling in FCS 202).

Ø Have a job or volunteer position which meets the requirements of your major.

Ø Attend the orientation session for the course at the beginning of the semester for which you are registered.

What are the credit requirements for my major?

Major	Credits required for graduation	Volunteer/work hours required
Family Studies	2	120
Child Development	2	120
Food Service Administration	3	300
Interior Design	3	300
Textile & Apparel Studies: Merchandising	3	300
Vocational Certification	Determined by vocational certification officer

Course is offered Fall, Spring and Summer I & II. Students may elect to complete required hours over the Summer I & II sessions, with enrollment occurring in Summer II session. Students may register for 1, 2 or 3 credits in a given semester.

What types of jobs/volunteer positions qualify for Field Experience credit?

Ø Requirements vary by major. Please see Field Experience coordinator or a faculty member in your major for details.

How do I plan a Field Experience?

Ø Familiarize yourself with the requirements for your major.

Ø Examine your personal goals

o Which careers do you want to know more about?

o How much time do you have available?

o Where will you complete your field experience?

Ø Plan ahead. Begin planning your Field Experience at the beginning of the semester before you plan to enroll in the course.

How do I find a position that fits the course requirements?

Ø Discuss opportunities with faculty members in your major.

Ø Network with professionals (i.e. speakers in classes, job fairs).

Ø Use resources available from Field Experience Coordinator. Call Dr. Barbara Frazier at 269-387-3719 or email frazier@wmich.edu.

How do I enroll in the course?

Ø Obtain a position which fits your major’s requirements.

Ø Determine the number of credits you wish to earn for the semester.

o Family Studies and Child Development majors earn 1 credit for 60 hours of field work.

o Textile & Apparel Studies, Interior Design and Food Service Administration majors earn 1 credit for 100 hours of field work.

o Vocational certification hours are determined by the certification officer based on state certification guidelines. See Vocational Certification Registration Procedures for more information. Call Jane Kramer, WMU certification officer at 269-387-3476 or email at jane.kramer @wmich.edu.

Ø Complete a Department Approval Form (available in the FCS office, 3018 Kohrman). Be sure to get the correct form for the major and semester/session for which you intend to enroll.

Ø Return the completed form with your supervisor’s signature. The FCS administrative staff will register you for the course.

Please note that it is not possible to self-register via the telephone or web for this course. Registration deadlines are noted on the approval form, and must be strictly adhered to.

How do I earn credit for my work experience?

Ø Attend the orientation session* for the semester in which you are enrolled. Orientation session date/time/location are posted in the course listing for each semester/session (in Course Schedule and on line). Orientation dates are also listed on the registration form. Failure to attend the orientation session may result in cancellation of your enrollment in the course.

Ø Complete the required hours, based on the number of credits.

Ø Complete written assignments.

Ø Earn satisfactory evaluations from your supervisor.

*Details concerning written assignments, documentation of hours, and employer evaluations are discussed at the orientation session. It is important that you attend the orientation session so that you can receive these materials.