Program Overview

Apparel and Merchandising Major

Design change. Create understanding. Discover how you can shape the fashion design, apparel, and products industries to impact the world.

At a glance

Throughout your studies in apparel and merchandising, you’ll gain a broad historical and cultural foundation in the apparel industry, along with opportunities to design and create, analyze consumer behavior, and discover how everything from textile design to product development to brand marketing can help shape cultural understanding and awareness. You’ll begin with hands-on learning, internships, and student-run shows; you’ll end with a degree that can take you almost anywhere.

This program is accredited by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission (TAPAC) and National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Students must meet additional requirements in order to continue in the Apparel Design and Production concentration from freshman to sophomore year.

Program Details

• Degree type: Bachelor of Science
• Format: On campus
• Part of: College of Health and Human Sciences and Department of Design and Merchandising
• Additional requirements: Yes, for some concentrations
• Accelerated option: No

Concentrations

A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.

Apparel Design and Production

Develop your creativity and STEM skills to engage in fashion design, from textile properties to apparel goods. You will complete coursework in aesthetics and design, illustration, pattern development, apparel construction techniques, and computer-aided design.

Merchandising

Prepare for careers in the fashion and retail industries. You’ll complete coursework in consumer behavior, merchandising processes, management, merchandise buying, retail store design, and the global industry.

Product Development

Develop innovative products to meet consumer needs. You’ll learn how to create sustainable and inclusive products through sourcing, trend forecasting, product line development and management, quality assurance, and supply chain management.

Career Options

Your career options with an Apparel and Merchandising degree can range from fashion-industry work to retail merchandising, outdoor apparel and gear design, marketing, fashion content creation, quality assurance, and beyond. Exploring your interests in the major’s three concentrations can help you find your ideal career path.

• Apparel/Fashion Designer
• Creative Director
• Fashion Illustrator
• Stylist
  • Merchandise Buyer
  • Retail Analyst
  • Advertising/Promotions Manager
  • Brand/Product Manager
• Product Developer
• Prototype Engineer
• Import/Export Specialist
• Content Creator

Related Majors and Graduate Programs

• Art, B.F.A.
• Business Administration, B.S.
• Interior Architecture and Design, B.S.
• Theatre Major, Costume Design and Technology Concentration, B.A.
• Design and Merchandising, M.S.
• Business Administration, M.B.A.