Apparel and Merchandising

The Major in Apparel and Merchandising emphasizes the study of apparel and textile design, product development and sourcing, and the promotion, distribution, and retailing of consumer goods in the global environment, while fostering awareness of cultural diversity and a commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. The program encompasses the study of the cultural/historical, economic, social/psychological, and scientific aspects of the textile and apparel industry. There are three concentrations in the major: Apparel Design and Production, Merchandising, and Product Development.

Students will demonstrate mastery of core knowledge and skills specific to their program/concentration areas. The three concentration areas include:

• Apparel Design and Production: core knowledge and skills include use of industry-related technology for sketching, pattern drafting, marker making, constructing; and cross-discipline knowledge and skills in conceptual design, technical production specifications communication, materials sourcing, and marketing.
• Merchandising: core knowledge and skills include consumer behavior and market research, retailing, assortment planning, merchandise buying, sales and customer service, advertising and promotion, and cross-discipline knowledge and skills in accounting/budgeting, purchasing, management, and marketing. 
• Product Development: core knowledge and skills include market research, product design and development, prototypes, specification sheets, global sourcing, and supply chain management. Skills in this concentration are enhanced through industry-related technology. Students will be able to assess and synthesize multiple factors in creating/producing quality products, services, and design solutions. The factors will address human, design, industry and business, global, science, and technology sensitivities.

Students will demonstrate an understanding of professional practices, processes, and skills utilized in the areas of apparel design and production, merchandising, and product development. These practices, processes, and skills include critical and creative thinking, communication, ethics, social responsibility and sustainability, collaborative problem-solving, and interdisciplinary learning.

Students also will demonstrate professional behaviors and ethical business practices that enhance the well-being of others and contribute to the advancement of the global industry.

Students may enroll in the 12-credit internship one to two semesters prior to graduation. Student internship placement with businesses and organizations in national and international settings is designed to facilitate the depth and integration of knowledge in the study of apparel and merchandising and to enhance professional development and career opportunities. Students with a 2.500 GPA are eligible to participate in department-facilitated internships.

Students who are interested in co-curricular learning experiences have the opportunity to visit apparel and fashion companies and trade shows, network with industry professionals, participate in department-led study tours, engage in project-based learning experiences, assist with department recruiting events and new student orientations, and participate in a variety of leadership events.

Career options for Apparel Design and Production graduates include, but are not limited to: apparel and fashion designer, computer-aided design (CAD) manager, creative director, design director, fashion illustrator, fashion magazine editorial contributor, fashion stylist, pattern-maker, technical designer, and trend/fashion forecaster.

Career options for Merchandising graduates include, but are not limited to: consumer or market researcher, brand/product merchandise manager, merchandise buyer, retail analyst, retail manager, retail store/website planner, resident buying office administrator, sales representative, showroom coordinator/manager, inventory control agent, consumer or market researcher, product trend analyst, advertising and promotions coordinator/manager, public relations specialist, social media specialist, and visual merchandiser.

Career options for Product Development graduates include, but are not limited to: consumer or market researcher, product designer/developer, prototype engineer, production manager, sourcing agent, product testing specialist, quality control agent, and import/export specialist.

Application Materials

All applicants for admission must submit an online application, $50 application fee or fee waiver request, and academic transcripts. Freshman/first-year applicants are required to submit a personal statement. The application includes an optional Academic Explanation section for applicants to provide more context for their performance and/or enrollment history. Recommendations and ACT/SAT scores are not required. The Office of Admissions may request additional information before completing a full review of an applicant’s application file.

Refer to the appropriate application guides for details.

Application Fee or Fee Waiver

An application fee is required as part of a complete application; a decision cannot be rendered without it. If payment of the application fee presents a financial hardship, applicants can request a fee waiver.

Refer to the Office of Admissions website for the application fee refund policy.

High School Transcript and proof of graduation (or equivalent)

High school performance, as reflected on a student's transcript(s), is an essential component of the admission decision for all freshman/first-year applicants and for transfer applicants with fewer than 30 post-high school credits.

High school transcripts for transfer applicants with more than 30 post-high school credits are considered only when needed to satisfy the admission requirement in mathematics.

All freshman/first year applicants and all transfers with fewer than 60 post-high school college credits must submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent prior to the start of their first semester of enrollment.

ACT/SAT results

ACT or SAT test scores are not required. Our review process is individualized, includes a range of academic and personal factors and emphasizes students’ efforts and achievement demonstrated over 3-4 years. Test scores are not given much weight in the admission decision and are not considered at all for scholarships. Students who wish to have their scores considered in the admission decision should email [email protected] with this request.

ACT or SAT results can be used for composition placement purposes and thus can be helpful to submit by any incoming student before orientation/registration.

College Transcript(s)

Freshman/first-year applicants typically are required to submit an official college transcript at the point of application only if college enrollment is being used as their full-time high school curriculum (such as early college, ASCENT and fifth-year programs, and some homeschool curricula). Refer to College-Level Courses Completed by High School Students for additional information.

Transfer applicants must submit an official college transcript from each college attended, regardless of the type of institution, amount or type of credit earned, and age of the credential, even if the work will be reflected in transfer on another transcript. No part of the previous collegiate record may be disregarded. Failure to include all institutions previously attended may result in the rescinding of admission, loss of credit, or disenrollment. Transcripts reflecting courses taken at vocational-technical institutes or colleges that are not regionally accredited can be helpful documentation and may be required, though they do not qualify an applicant for transfer applicant status or advanced-standing credit. 

Second Bachelor applicants are only required to submit an official transcript from the college/university from which they earned their first (or most recent) bachelor's degree. Official transcripts from other colleges/universities attended (if applicable) are encouraged if an applicant is seeking a competitive major or to demonstrate explicit pre-requisites for their new degree program.

Advanced standing credit (transfer credit) is only awarded from an official transcript.

International Applicants: Additional Requirements

In addition to the documents outlined above, applicants who have completed part or all of their education outside of the US also may be prompted to submit the following:

• A certified English translation of any academic credentials not in English
• Evidence of English Proficiency to be considered for direct admission
• An Immigration Information Form, financial support documentation and a copy of the passport identification page for immigration documentation

Application Timelines 

Students can begin their enrollment during fall semester (August start), spring semester (January start) or summer term (May/June start; not recommended for freshman/first-year students).

Applicants are encouraged to apply 6-12 months prior to the start of the term. Freshman/first-year applicants must have completed at least 75% of their high school curriculum (through junior year equivalent) before a decision can be rendered; transfer applicants must have no more than one academic term in progress when a decision is rendered. Second bachelor’s/post-bachelor candidates must be finished with their first degree or in their final term of enrollment with degree pending for a decision to be rendered.

Refer to the appropriate application guides for more detail about application dates and timelines.