Program Overview

Apparel and Textiles, BS

The Apparel and Textiles program offers two distinct yet interrelated pathways of study within the dynamic world of fashion: Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. These concentrations are meticulously crafted to provide students with a comprehensive and structured education that prepares them for the multifaceted and ever-evolving fashion industry.

Fashion Design Concentration

In the Fashion Design concentration, we emphasize the critical importance of addressing the multifaceted challenges of universal design, inclusive design, sustainability, and cultivating strong design thinking skills. We immerse students in the foundational principles of design, including color theory, and guide them in the practical application of these principles. As part of our comprehensive curriculum, we also emphasize the development of design thinking skills. Through various projects and coursework, students learn to approach design challenges with a creative and problem-solving mindset.

• Students engage in both two- and three-dimensional design work, actively applying color principles and design thinking to their creations.
• By the completion of their sophomore year, students possess the creative and technical skillsets necessary to execute original garments for our annual sustainability fashion show.
• They also undergo our annual sophomore portfolio review, where their design thinking and problem-solving abilities are assessed and further refined.

Fashion Merchandising Concentration

The Fashion Merchandising concentration is a meticulously structured pathway, strategically designed to prepare students for a diverse array of fashion-related careers. These encompass vital roles in the realm of merchandising, marketing, buying, product development, retail management, and the ever-evolving domain of e-retailing. It is committed to nurturing key competencies and attributes that are pivotal for thriving within the dynamic and competitive landscape of the fashion industry.

• Critical Thinking: Throughout their coursework, students are systematically challenged to engage in critical thinking and strategic analysis.
• Technical Competency: A firm foundation in the technical facets of fashion merchandising is essential.
• Communication Effectiveness: Effective communication lies at the heart of success in the fashion arena.
• Creativity and Innovation: Creativity and innovation are values we actively cultivate.

Required Courses for all AT Majors

• CTD 261: Textiles (3 hours)
• CTD 281: Fundamentals of Fashion Indust (3 hours)
• CTD 447: Textiles & Apparel Intl. Trade (3 hours)
• CTD 461: Quality Control for Textiles (3 hours)
• CTD 448 or CTD 415: History Of Costume or History Textile Design (3 hours)
• EC 110: Principles of Microeconomics (3 hours)
• MKT 300: Marketing (3 hours) Total Hours: 21

Fashion Design Concentration for AT Majors

• ART 110: Drawing I (3 hours)
• CTD 102: Applied Design (3 hours)
• CTD 141: Intro to Apparel Design (3 hours)
• CTD 217: Fashion Illustration (3 hours)
• CTD 241: Apparel Construction (3 hours)
• CTD 245: Apparel Production (3 hours)
• CTD 319: Textile Design (3 hours)
• CTD 349: Computer Aided Apparel Design (3 hours)
• CTD 350: Flat Pattern Design (4 hours)
• CTD 351: Apparel Design: Draping (4 hours)
• CTD 446 or CTD 387: Cult Dynam Apparel Text or Fashion Marketing (3 hours)
• CTD 302: Fashion Capitals Study Abroad (optional)
• CTD 450: Advanced Apparel Design (4 hours)
• Art history (Fine Arts) (6 hours) Total Hours: 45

Fashion Merchandising Concentration for AT Majors

• CTD 231: Sewn Products Analysis (3 hours)
• CTD 292: Analysis & Fashion Forecastin (3 hours)
• CTD 320: Visual Merchandising (3 hours)
• CTD 361: Fashion Merchandising I (3 hours)
• CTD 374: Digital Commerce (3 hours)
• CTD 381: Fashion Retailing Seminar (1 hour)
• CTD 387: Fashion Marketing (3 hours)
• CTD 446: Cult Dynam Apparel Text (3 hours)
• CTD 302: Fashion Capitals Study Abroad (optional)
• CTD 481: Fashion Merchandising II (3 hours)
• CTD 485: Intern Fashion Retailing (9 hours)
• AC 210 or AC 211: Intro To Accounting 1 or Honors Intro To Accounting (4 hours)
• CS 285: Spreadsheet Applications (3 hours)
• MGT 300 or CSM 461: Org Theory & Behavior or Manag in High Perf Org (3 hours)
• Select two of the following: (6 hours)
  • CTD 474: Fashion Entrepreneurship
  • MKT 313: Consumer Behavior
  • MKT 321: Retail Management
  • MKT 337: Personal Selling
  • MKT 376: Services Marketing
  • MKT 344: Promotional Management
  • MKT 410: Managing Innovation
• Select one of the following: (3 hours)
  • CSM 441: Consumer Communications
  • CSM 445: Applied Digital Tools
  • CSM 447: Advanced Digital Tools
  • CSM 458: Spreadsheets in Fin. Decisions
  • ST 260: Statistical Data Analysis
  • CS 102: Computer Applications Total Hours: 53

Career Opportunities

Our graduates in Fashion Design possess a versatile skill set that enables them to create original fashion lines, whether through manual or digital means, tailored to specific target markets. They are adept at articulating the design philosophy underpinning their creations, executing pattern work, and preparing comprehensive technical documentation for their line items.

• Many embark on entrepreneurial journeys, establishing their clothing lines and businesses.
• Others join established designers, contributing their skills to the corporate side of the fashion world.

Within the broad landscape of the fashion industry, diverse career opportunities await our Fashion Merchandising graduates. Some choose conventional paths in corporate buying and sales, merchandise management, human resource management, store management, product development, and wholesale management. Others opt for non-traditional roles in areas like public relations, entrepreneurial ventures, or as sales representatives, extending their influence beyond the apparel industry.

• Recent Fashion Merchandising graduates have secured positions with wholesale apparel companies, buying offices, fashion magazines, and various retail establishments.
• This diversity of opportunities reflects the comprehensive education and practical experience our graduates acquire, equipping them for success in various sectors of the dynamic fashion industry.