Lectures cover topics such as food science, nutrition, and child care, and much of the job beyond the classroom means grading lab work, papers, and assignments, and initiating and moderating classroom discussion. Professors also plan and revise curricula and course materials over time, and stay current in the field by reading new research, talking with colleagues, and attending conferences. The pace is often fast with real deadlines around grading and exam periods, though professors are expected to exercise significant independent judgment in how they run their own courses. A PhD is the standard credential for these roles, and the position often combines teaching with research.
Pros
Faster than average projected growth (3.4%) despite being a small, specialized field
Practical subject matter (nutrition, finance, child care) applies directly to everyday life
Combines lab-based and lecture-based teaching, adding variety to the role
Cons
Above-average hours, expect more than a standard 40-hour work week
Only about 200 positions nationwide, one of the smallest academic niches in this field
Requires a PhD, a long path through graduate school before qualifying to teach
A typical day
The morning lecture is on lifespan nutrition, and the professor has students calculating protein needs across ages rather than memorizing tables. Late morning is spent supervising a child development practicum, observing student teachers in the campus preschool lab and writing feedback. The afternoon splits between grading personal finance case studies and the professor's own research on family food insecurity, including a dataset that needs cleaning before Friday. Advising rounds out the day — a student wants to turn an FCS degree into a dietetics career, and mapping that path is exactly the job.
Tasks at the job
Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, projects, assignments, and papers.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as food science, nutrition, and child care.
Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures.
Education necessary or common
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the relevant field
Common college majors
Family and Consumer SciencesHuman Development and Family StudiesNutrition and Dietetics (then a PhD)
Licenses & certifications
PhD in an FCS field (the required credential)
Certified Family and Consumer Sciences (CFCS) professional credential