About the School of Human Ecology
The School of Human Ecology has a rich history at Tennessee Tech. Over the years we have evolved from a School of Home Economics to the name of “Human Ecology”.
The School of Human Ecology (founded in 1916 as the Domestic Science Department) has 1,800-plus alumni. We seek to promote a strong academic environment so that our graduates are prepared for careers in one or more of the diverse fields of human ecology.
Mission and Vision of the School of Human Ecology
› Mission
The School of Human Ecology provides education, research, service, resources and leadership in order to foster creativity, tenacity and analytical problem solving in our students as well as facilitating career ready graduates to empower individuals, families and communities to achieve optimal quality of life.
› Vision
The School of Human Ecology will be recognized as a premier program in Human Ecology and as an agent for advancing quality of life and fostering leadership in individuals, families and communities.
The Profession of Human Ecology
Human Ecology is the study of the relationship between individuals, families and communities and the environments in which they live. The field represents many content areas including: child development and family relations; child life; food, nutrition and dietetics; housing and design; and merchandising and design. Students learn, through theory and practice, how to provide a better quality of life for individuals throughout the life span. Students majoring in Human Ecology and Design Studies at Tennessee Tech receive practical experience in professional settings such as practicum, field experiences, and/or internships.
Facts about the School of Human Ecology
Licensing and Credentialing
- Didactic Program In Dietetics (DPD)
Application Rate: Within the most recent three-year time frame 2022 - May 2024; 24 students graduated with a Verification statement and 18 applied to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation for an application rate of 75%. The Tennessee Tech DPD Benchmark for this measure is 60% of graduates will apply to a supervised practice program.
Admission Rates: Within the most recent time period, May 2022 - May 2024, 18 students applied to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation and 17 students were accepted for a graduate acceptance rate of 94%. The Tennessee Tech DPD Benchmark for this measure is 50% of graduates are admitted to a supervised practice program within 12 months of graduation.
The 2023 national average for acceptance into a dietetic supervised practice program is 85%.
Registered Dietitian Exam Results*
Testing Year #Taking Exam # Passed %Passed National Avg 2023 3 2 67% 2022 4 2 50% 88% 2021 12 9 75% 90% Totals 19 13 68.4% *Exam testers within one year of first attempt; Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required Benchmark for this measure is one year pass rate must be at least 80%.
- Human Ecology Graduation Rate
Graduation Rate of First Time Freshman, 6-year Rate
Fall 2014 Cohort Fall 2015 Cohort Fall 2016 Cohort Fall 2017 Cohort # Enrolled in HEC 31 25 23 20 # Grad from TN Tech 22 18 12 17 HEC Grad Rate 71% 72% 52.2% 85% TN Tech 6 Yr Rate 52% 52% 60.2% 90% - Human Ecology Enrollment
Undergraduate Enrollment
Total 216 216 192 213 218 Concentration F2019 F2020 F2021 F2022 F2023 Human Development
& Family Science73 57 39 44 30 Child Life 30 33 44 44 29 Nut/Dietetics 35 46 38 38 39 Architecture
& Interior Design36 42 36 54 92 Fashion Merchandising
& Design29 29 30 29 27 FACS Educ. 9 8 5 4 1 Graduate Enrollment
Total 13 21 20 Concentration F2021 F2022 F2023 F2024 F2025 F2026 MS Community Health & Nutrition 13 21 20 - Human Ecology Retention Rates
Retention Rates for First Time Freshmen
Cohort 2018 Cohort 2019 Cohort 2020 Cohort 2021 Cohort 2022 # Enrolled HEC 29 28 27 33 28 # Cont to 2nd Fall 25 23 23 33 21 HEC Retention Rate 86% 82.1% 85.2% 81.8% 75% TN Tech Retention Rate 77% 77.5% 72.9% 78.5% 77.3%
