Program Overview

Overview of the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles

The Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles is part of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University.

Academics

The department offers various academic programs, including:

• Bachelor of Arts
  • Apparel Design
  • Merchandising
  • Learning Outcomes
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• MS in Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles
  • Mission & Outcomes
  • MS Program Requirements

Student Learning Outcomes – Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts program has several learning outcomes, which include:

Technological Skills

• Demonstrate proficiency with tools and industry-relevant software and technology.
• Understand key technology and software used within contemporary industry.
• Demonstrate proficiency in applying technologies to design/merchandising/textiles.

Knowledge of Merchandising, Design and Textiles

• Display knowledge of the modern functional product life cycle.
• Describe the aspects of their chosen specialty of design/merchandising/textiles.
• Explain the cross-functionality of design/merchandising/textiles.

Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking

• Implement effective creative thinking, problem solving, and critical thinking skills in a design/merchandising/textiles context.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply creative elements to situations.
• Demonstrate the ability to accurately identify a problem.
• Demonstrate the ability to locate relevant information, evaluate this information, and generate viable solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate solution and implement that solution.
• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate the outcome of the solution and adjust accordingly.

Communication

• Communicate effectively across the apparel industry to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally, visually, and in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate current and emerging media.

Sustainability

• Demonstrate an understanding of the role that sustainability plays in the textile and apparel complex.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify trends on sustainability in the textile and apparel industry.
• Analyze the impact these trends have on business strategies and practices.

Societal Knowledge

• Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural/historical/societal/economic forces and their influence on textile and apparel product development.
• Analyze these forces to determine appropriate influences on product development within sub-disciplinary areas.
• Analyze these forces to better understand the consumer who uses these products.
• Marry the knowledge of influences and consumers to develop profitable products.

Professionalism

• Students will demonstrate the ability to conduct themselves in a professional manner.
• Demonstrate individual professionalism, which may include but is not exclusive to the following:
  • Reliable and organized, self-motivated, seek and be receptive to feedback, self-presentation, and communication appropriately.
• Demonstrate team professionalism, which may include but is not exclusive to the following:
  • Gives and receives feedback, acknowledges and accepts differences, fulfills individual responsibilities outside and during team meetings, communicates effectively, respectfully, and collaboratively works in multiple disciplinary teams, accepts responsibility for team outcomes.