All 10 of the department's programs were reviewed during the accreditation process, which included an extensive self-study that took more than a year to complete. Once the study was complete, the council conducted a site visit and met with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, employers of alumni and more, said Alice Spangler, chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.

"The accreditation represents several years of planning and implementing a curriculum that addresses the integrative nature of the profession of family and consumer sciences as well as specific, relevant and current curriculum content of all of our areas," she said. "The report included many positive statements, and the visiting team was impressed with the immersion types of activities experienced by our students."

The accreditation, which lasts until 2017, places the department in good company. Spangler estimates only 20 percent of all college and university family and consumer science programs are able to earn the distinction.

"Taking the initiative to delve into the lengthy accreditation process is well worth the effort," she said. "The accreditation reflects a high commitment to quality by our faculty, our students and alumni, a distinction of which they should all be quite proud."