The Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles degree program blends creativity with business components to develop graduates who are consumer and technology focused and equipped with the business skills needed to succeed in the global consumer marketplace. Students study concepts and develop skills needed to interpret and forecast consumer and market trends, develop retailing and buying strategies, and communicate cross-culturally.
The project-based curriculum challenges students to exercise resourceful thinking in business operations, brand management, visual merchandising, buying and sourcing materials, retail management, and much more. Course work is designed to match industry expectations and intended to provide students with the knowledge and experience they will need to understand trends and applications in the merchandising, apparel, and textiles industries. Students will be challenged to exercise creative thinking in business operations, merchandising strategies, and consumer issues.
Internships are a required component of the program, which can lead to permanent professional placement. The internship provides students with first-hand experience in merchandising, apparel, and textiles related fields, allowing them to exercise classroom knowledge in a realworld setting.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will be prepared for careers in domestic or international markets in the merchandising, apparel, and textile fields. Career opportunities include brand manager, digital merchandiser/social media specialist, entrepreneur, fashion merchandiser, fashion marketing communications specialist, product developer, retail manager and merchandiser, stylist, textile lab supervisor, and visual merchandiser. Students will also be prepared to enter a variety of professional and graduate programs.
Graduation Requirements
To earn the Bachelor of Science in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles, students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours with a 2.0 grade-point average. A minimum of 45 credit hours must be from upper division courses (300 level and above). Remedial courses may not be counted toward the total hours required for the degree.
Suggested Four-Year Plan for the B.S. in Merchandising, Apparel, and Textiles