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Studies & Degrees in Home Science

Home science applies the natural and social sciences to everyday life in the home and the community: what people eat, how children grow up, how families manage money and other resources, what they wear and how they live. The name is used mainly in India. In other countries the same field is called home economics, and in the United States it is known as family and consumer sciences.

The International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) describes home economics as the original field of research on economic, social and ecological aspects of everyday living. It adds that the field is known under many names today and spans several academic disciplines that deal with life skills and responsible resource management at home. According to the IFHE, home economics was in the 19th century one of the first subjects that allowed women to pursue an academic education.

What students learn

The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) lists the main content areas of the field. They include:

  • food science and nutrition
  • human and child development and family relations
  • personal and family finance
  • housing and interior design
  • textiles, apparel and retailing
  • health management and wellness
  • education and training

Indian colleges organise the subject in a similar way. The Institute of Home Economics, a college of the University of Delhi, has departments of Food and Nutrition and Food Technology, Human Development and Childhood Studies, Fabric and Apparel Science, Resource Management and Design Application, and Development Communication, Extension and Journalism.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree. At the Institute of Home Economics, both the B.Sc. (Honours) Home Science and the B.Sc. (Prog.) Home Science last 4 years.
  • Master's degree. Master's programmes are specialised. The same college offers an M.Sc. in Food and Nutrition and an M.Sc. in Fabric and Apparel Science, and its history describes them as two-year programmes.
  • Doctorate. The college also lists doctoral (PhD) programmes for those who want to do research or teach at a university.
  • Diplomas and short courses. Shorter qualifications exist next to the degrees. The Institute of Home Economics began in 1961 with a two-year diploma in home science, and today it lists short-term courses as well. Ask the school what recognition a diploma or certificate has.

Where to study home science

SpainExchange lists 3 active schools for home science: 2 in India and 1 in Ghana.

The University of Delhi, established in 1922, has a Department of Home Science in its Faculty of Science. The department is based at Lady Irwin College in New Delhi. The Institute of Home Economics has been a constituent college of the university since 1969. The University of Calcutta in Kolkata, founded in 1857, is the second Indian university on the list.

In Ghana, the University of Ghana in Legon teaches the subject under the American name: its School of Agriculture has a Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, next to departments such as Animal Science, Crop Science and Soil Science.

The subject is not offered under this name everywhere. Students who want to continue in another country should ask the receiving university how it recognises a degree in home science, and whether it gives access to its master's programmes in nutrition, education or textiles.

Careers

The career depends on the specialisation. According to the AAFCS, professionals in the field work in education at every level from early childhood to higher education, in community education for adults and young people, in business and industry, in government and in health and human services. In practice this means jobs such as teacher, dietetics or nutrition worker, early childhood educator, textile and garment specialist, or community development worker. Some of these professions are regulated and require a further qualification or registration, which differs from country to country.

Frequently asked questions

Is home science the same as home economics?

Yes, they are names for the same field. Home science is the usual name in India, home economics is used internationally, and family and consumer sciences is the name in the United States.

How long does a degree in home science take?

At the Institute of Home Economics of the University of Delhi, the B.Sc. in Home Science lasts 4 years. Durations in other countries differ, so check with each school.

What can I specialise in?

The usual areas are food and nutrition, human development, textiles and clothing, resource management, and communication and extension.

Where do home science graduates work?

In schools and colleges, community education, business and industry, government and health and human services, according to the AAFCS.