The Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising Program is designed to help you gain the knowledge you need to recognize industry trends, analyze market and consumer behavior, and evaluate retail needs in the diverse, fast-paced, and ever-changing fashion industry. Students will build a well-rounded base knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers, and sustainability. Field experiences allow students to network with industry professionals and study abroad opportunities are highly encouraged. Students gain additional hands-on professional experience during summer internships. Quarterly meetings with the faculty advisors assure students are academically on track to achieve their professional goals.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to a major in the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising Program, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.3 (or be a first-year or transfer).
Graduation Requirements
A minimum grade of C- must be earned in each course counted toward fulfilling major requirements.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
Content and Process Knowledge
1. Knowledge of Industry Processes
1a. Roles and functions of various industry sectors
1b. Needs and wants of consumers and how applied to product lines
1c. Product quality, serviceability, and regulatory compliance standards
1d. Use industry terminology appropriately
2. Appearance and Human Behavior
2a. Apply theories, concepts, and research regarding appearance and human behavior to industry and societal problems
2b. Apply knowledge about the role of dress as related to cultural interactions
2c. Apply knowledge of historic, socio-cultural, and psychological factors of dress and their impact on human behavior
3. Aesthetics and the Design Process
3a. Apply knowledge about aesthetics& design process in relation to dress and appearance management
3b. Understand aesthetics and design impact on quality of life, social responsibility, and sustainability
3c. Understand influence of historical, socio-cultural, and psychological factors in aesthetic expression
4. Global Interdependence
4a. Understand how political, cultural, and economic systems impact industry processes
Professional Attitudes and Skills
5. Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability
5a. Evaluate issues of social responsibility, professional behavior, and ethics related to decision making
5b. Evaluate issues of environmental sustainability and impact of industry
6. Critical and Creative Thinking
6a. Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills including diverse perspectives
6b. Identify social, cultural, economic, technological, ethical, political, educational, and individual influences on industry issues
6c. Apply quantitative and qualitative skills to problem solving
6d. Use appropriate technology to facilitate critical, creative, quantitative, and qualitative thinking
7. Professional Development
7a. Communicate ideas in written, oral, and visual forms using appropriate technology
7b. Function as team members and leaders within diverse environments
7c. Apply career planning concepts and job search strategies to diverse industry opportunities