Program Overview

Program Overview

The Department of Design and Merchandising offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising, providing students with the knowledge and skills to start careers in fashion and product design, retail, market analysis, or quality assurance and production management.

Program Details

The program takes a multifaceted look at:

• Apparel and textile design
• Product development and sourcing
• Consumer goods retail promotion and distribution It prepares students to be socially responsible citizens, focusing on a deep understanding of the cultural and historical components of apparel and textile design, and challenging them to master their understanding of the economic, social, and scientific aspects shaping the textile and apparel industry.

Concentrations

The program offers three concentrations, all leading to a Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising:

Apparel Design and Production

In this concentration, students design and create textile, fashion, and apparel products with an emphasis on costing, sourcing, and production phases. Careers in Apparel Design and Production:

• Apparel and fashion designer
• Textile designer
• Creative or design director
• Fashion illustrator
• Pattern-maker and/or CAD
• Trend/fashion forecaster

Merchandising

This concentration challenges students to master knowledge and skills in identifying target markets, marketing, and retailing consumer goods. Careers in Merchandising:

• Market researcher or analyst
• Brand and product manager
• Merchandise buyer
• Retail manager
• Showroom merchandising coordinator or manager
• Communications, social media, or public relations specialist
• Merchandising stylist
• Visual merchandiser

Product Development

The Product Development Concentration challenges students to master knowledge and skills in developing and innovating consumer products. Careers in Product Development:

• Product developer
• Technical designer
• 3D digital product creator
• Product line manager
• Consumer or market researcher
• Sourcing agent and import/export specialist
• Product testing and quality control agent
• Prototype engineer

Accreditation

The Apparel and Merchandising Program is accredited by the Textile and Apparel Program Accreditation Commission of the International Textile Apparel Association. The Department of Design and Merchandising is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design.