COURSE CURRICULUM

The Apparel and Textiles (AT) major is structured around two concentrations, Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising, both built on a shared foundation of 21 credit hours in core courses. These required courses include subjects such as textiles, the fundamentals of the fashion industry, global trade in textiles and apparel, quality control, costume or textile history, microeconomics, and marketing, ensuring that all students gain a strong understanding of both the creative and business sides of fashion. Beyond this common base, students specialize by choosing one of the two concentrations. The Fashion Design concentration requires 45 additional credit hours and focuses on developing creative and technical skills. Students take courses in drawing, applied design, apparel construction, fashion illustration, textile design, and advanced design techniques such as flat pattern making and draping. The curriculum follows a strict sequence, especially for production and design courses, and emphasizes hands-on learning, creativity, and craftsmanship. Students also complete art history courses and may explore study abroad opportunities. The Fashion Merchandising concentration requires 53 additional credit hours and is more business-oriented, preparing students for careers in retail, marketing, and product management. Coursework includes subjects like product analysis, fashion forecasting, visual merchandising, digital commerce, retailing, and fashion marketing. Students also complete business-related courses such as accounting, management, and data analysis, along with electives in areas like consumer behavior or retail management. A key feature of this concentration is a required internship worth 9 credit hours, providing real-world industry experience. Overall, the program combines foundational knowledge with specialized training, allowing students to pursue either creative design roles or business-focused careers in the fashion industry.