The Homemaker’s Degree: The Education Behind a Well-Run Home

Too many people think that homemaking isn’t really a profession, job, or worthwhile end goal. I mean, all it takes to run a home is to do a few loads of laundry, cook meals, and do a bit of tidying up, right? But we as homemakers know better. There’s more to homemaking than stirring a pot or pushing a vacuum. There’s budgeting, problem-solving, time management, conflict resolution, meal planning, and so much more. Years ago, Home Economics was a real college degree. Today, our academic societies have all but dropped that curriculum. But if it was brought back, what would it look like? Listen in to this fun look at what you would sign up for if you decided to get your college degree in Homemaking!

Transcript

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a rocker, and settle in. Today I am going to act as if though I am your college recruiter. My goal? To encourage you to get your dream degree in Homemaking.

Too many people think that homemaking isn’t a real profession, job, or worthwhile end goal. I mean, all it takes to run a home is to do a few loads of laundry, cook meals, and do a bit of tidying up, right? We as homemakers know better. There’s more to homemaking than stirring a pot or pushing a vacuum. There’s budgeting, problem-solving, time management, conflict resolution, meal planning, and so much more. 

Years and years ago, Home Economics was a real college curriculum. In 1899 at the Lake Placid Conference, activists and educators met to create a college curriculum designed to teach young women the skills they needed to manage a home. The courses included cooking, sewing, home management, budgeting, and childcare.

In today’s age, you’ll more likely find it listed as either Family & Consumer Sciences or Human Development and Family Studies, and it leans less toward home management and more under the curriculum for teaching, social work, and advanced medical degrees. 

It took starting my own home and family to see that homemaking really should be a college degree again. So, I got to thinking…what if I recreated a curriculum for the unsung heroes of the home? It may not ever get back into college catalogs, but at least we, as homemakers, could see how smart we really are. 

Now, before you start worrying about tuition and student loans, don’t worry - this degree is paid for in patience, persistence, and a whole lot of love. So, let’s look deeper into what a Bachelor’s in Homemaking & Domestic Management might look like today.

Course 1: (HOM 101) - which in a college catalog you would see as the breakdown designation - Time Management & Productivity – If you’ve ever managed a home, you know that no two days look the same. One moment, you’re planning dinner, the next, you’re cleaning up a spilled drink while answering a phone call and trying to remember what you walked into the room for.

This course would teach the art of prioritization, list-making, and adjusting when things go off track. Let’s be real - no schedule survives first contact with real life, but flexibility is a homemaker’s best friend. I’ve had days where I planned to deep clean the house, only to spend the entire day playing nurse to a sick child and picking up after a destructive puppy. And that’s okay. Managing a home is less about perfection and more about progress.

Course 2: (HOM 102) - Budgeting & Financial Stewardship - Ah, the role of Chief Financial Officer of the home. (See? There are some business classes in this curriculum!) This class would focus on making every dollar stretch, from grocery budgeting to emergency funds. Have you ever found yourself halfway through the month, realizing that the grocery budget is looking thinner than you’d like? It takes skill to figure out creative meals using what’s already in the pantry.

On top of that there are utility bills, gasoline, and insurance payments due. And let’s talk about impulse buys. Oh, those “great deals” that somehow make their way into the cart! This course would help develop the discipline to stick to a budget while still allowing for little joys.

Course 3: (HOM 201) - Meal Planning & Nutrition - Cooking isn’t just about throwing ingredients together - it’s an act of care. This class would focus on planning meals that are nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly.

Have you ever had one of those days where dinner sneaks up on you? That’s where meal planning saves the day. I like to have a few “backup meals” for those nights—a quick soup, breakfast-for-dinner, a slow cooker meal that practically cooks itself, or a few casseroles tucked away in the freezer for nights like this.

Course 4: (HOM 202) - Home Maintenance & Repair - No homemaker gets through life without learning a thing or two about fixing stuff. This class would cover everything from unclogging a sink to basic sewing skills.

Let me tell you about the time I tried to fix a leaky faucet on my own. I read a step-by-step book, bought the parts, and was feeling confident—until water sprayed everywhere! (This class will also tell you how to find the water shut-off valve – and the importance of turning it off first!). But, after a bit of trial and error, I got it right. That’s homemaking: a mix of confidence, learning, and maybe a few mistakes along the way.

Course 5: (HOM 203) Cleaning Science & Organization - Cleaning isn’t just about appearances - it’s about efficiency. This class would teach the best ways to clean quickly and effectively, using the right tools and methods.

And let’s talk about organization. If you’ve ever spent twenty minutes looking for that one missing shoe, you know the value of a well-placed basket or labeled container!

Now, every college curriculum requires you to take a few electives. These courses were designed to be different from your main focus, in order to help you become a more ‘well-rounded’ person and be able to apply reasoning and critical thinking. While I was in college, I took Racquetball and swimming, as they gave me a physical outlet for all the brainwork I had to do.  But other electives could have been in psychology, writing, and the arts. 

So, as we work towards our Bachelor’s in Homemaking & Domestic Management, let’s explore what electives are available (even though some of these should probably be degree-focused classes): 

Course 6: (HOM 301) - Child Development & Education - Whether it’s homeschooling or just helping with homework, homemakers are also teachers. This course would cover the different ways kids learn and how to turn everyday moments into teaching opportunities.

Course 7: (HOM 302) - The Art of Hospitality - Hospitality isn’t just about having a Pinterest-perfect home (trust me – mine is NOT!) - it’s about making people feel welcome. Some of my favorite memories are from spontaneous visits, where friends and family dropped by, and we made do with whatever was in the pantry. This class would teach how to create a warm and inviting space, no matter the circumstances.

Course 8: (HOM 303) - Conflict Resolution & Family Dynamics - Let’s be honest - family life isn’t always peaceful. This course would help develop the skills to manage sibling squabbles (just ask my kids about ‘Couch Time’), household disagreements, and the fine art of knowing when to step in and when to let things work themselves out.

Course 9: (HOM 304) - Gardening & Sustainable Living - Nothing beats the joy of growing your own food, even if it’s just a few herbs on the windowsill. This course would teach the basics of gardening, composting, and sustainable practices, and how to take that delicious produce and preserve it for winter meals.

Course 10: (HOM 305) - Textiles & Home Crafting - From sewing a button to quilting, these skills are practical and rewarding. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about making something with your own hands.

Course 11: (HOM 306) - Faith & Homemaking - A home isn’t just a structure - it’s a place of faith, comfort, and love. This course would explore how faith plays a role in homemaking, from praying over meals to creating a peaceful, faith-centered environment.

Some college degrees, especially in teaching, business, and the medical field, require some form of internship. This is when you actually go to work within your field of study with a company, school, or office that has the same focus as your degree. This gives you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and learn more from those who are skilled within that profession. 

For your degree in Homemaking & Domestic Management, the internship for this program is Life itself. Every meal cooked, every budget stretched, every scraped knee kissed is a lesson in the making. And the best mentors? Grandmothers, mothers, friends who have walked this path before us.

I’ve learned more from conversations at kitchen tables than any textbook could ever teach. Homemaking is a hands-on, learn-as-you-go kind of role.

So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re learning on the job—congratulations, you’re earning your degree in homemaking every single day. It’s not about perfection; it’s about love, patience, and showing up.

Until next time, take a deep breath, enjoy the simple moments, and if no one else notices and tells you, I will - you’re doing a wonderful job as a homemaker!

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Thanks again for stopping in. I will see you next week on Living a Simple Life with a Back Porch View. And while you are waiting for the next episode, grab that glass of refreshment, pull up a rocker, and sit back for a while. It’s time to relax and enjoy.