Bachelor of Science - Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising

The Apparel, Textiles & Merchandising major is designed to help students gain the knowledge needed to recognize industry trends, analyze market and consumer behavior, and evaluate retail needs in the diverse, fast-paced, and ever-changing fashion industry. Students will build well-rounded base knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers, and sustainability.

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

Content and Process Knowledge

• 1. Knowledge of Industry Processes
  • 1a. Roles and functions of various industry sectors
  • 1b. Needs and wants of consumers and how applied to product lines
  • 1c. Product quality, serviceability, and regulatory compliance standards
  • 1d. Use industry terminology appropriately
• 2. Appearance and Human Behavior
  
  • 2a. Apply theories, concepts, and research regarding appearance and human behavior to industry and societal problems
  • 2b. Apply knowledge about the role of dress as related to cultural interactions
  • 2c. Apply knowledge of historic, socio-cultural, and psychological factors of dress and their impact on human behavior
• 3. Aesthetics and the Design Process
  • 3a. Apply knowledge about aesthetics& design process in relation to dress and appearance management
  • 3b. Understand aesthetics and design impact on quality of life, social responsibility, and sustainability
  • 3c. Understand influence of historical, socio-cultural, and psychological factors in aesthetic expression
• 4. Global Interdependence
  • 4a. Understand how political, cultural, and economic systems impact industry processes

Professional Attitudes and Skills

• 5. Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability
  
  • 5a. Evaluate issues of social responsibility, professional behavior, and ethics related to decision making
  • 5b. Evaluate issues of environmental sustainability and impact of industry
• 6. Critical and Creative Thinking
  • 6a. Demonstrate critical and creative thinking skills including diverse perspectives
  • 6b. Identify social, cultural, economic, technological, ethical, political, educational, and individual influences on industry issues
  • 6c. Apply quantitative and qualitative skills to problem solving
  • 6d. Use appropriate technology to facilitate critical, creative, quantitative, and qualitative thinking
• 7. Professional Development
  
  • 7a. Communicate ideas in written, oral, and visual forms using appropriate technology
  • 7b. Function as team members and leaders within diverse environments
  • 7c. Apply career planning concepts and job search strategies to diverse industry opportunities