The Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program is designed to help you gain the knowledge you need 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 a well-rounded base of knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers and sustainability. Field experiences allow students to network with industry professionals and study abroad opportunities are highly encouraged. Students gain additional hands-on professional experience during summer internships.   

Students receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising.  Quarterly meetings with the faculty advisor assures the student is academically on track to achieve their professional goals.  An Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising minor is also available.

Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising Program includes courses in:

• Socio-Cultural Aspects of Apparel
• Consumer Textiles
• Fashion Trend Analysis
• History of Fashion
• Retail Buying
• Clothing Construction
• Fashion Show Production
• And Many More...

Besides extensive coursework in apparel and textiles, students study accounting, promotions & advertising, applied research, leadership and computing.

Annual Fashion Show, Wild & Free Preview

Employment Opportunities for Apparel Majors include:

• Buyer
• Merchandiser
• Stylist
• Trend Analyst
• Visual Merchandising
• Merchandise Planner
• Corporate Management
• Fashion Advertising and Promotion
• Store Manager
• Manufacturer's Representative
• Operations Manager
• Product/Brand Manager
• Personal Shopper
• Sourcing Assistant
• Quality Assurance
• Sales Representation
• Showroom Manager

Apparel Design Minor

A minor in Apparel Design is administered jointly by the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising Program and Theatre Arts department. It is designed to enable students with career interests in this field to gain experience in the competency areas expected of apparel designers. This minor allows the student to learn to apply the basic principles of design and creativity in developing apparel. Students will study the application of artistic and creative design elements, selection, and use of fabrics and textiles, and the techniques for transforming design concepts into garments in order to create a final saleable product for a target market.

For additional information please contact Professor Andrea Eklund in Family and Consumer Sciences at aeklund@cwu.edu. All course requirements and information can be found in the CWU catalog.

Admission Policy:

• Students must have a university-level cumulative GPA of at least 2.3 for full admission to the major
• The major application form must be completed, and then signed by the program advisor and chair
• Complete the entry assessment survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Apparel_Entry_Assessment and attach it to the major application when submitting

Apparel, Textiles & Merchandising Resources

• Program Facebook page, Like it!
• Program and Club Events
• Program of Study
• Brochure
• Student 2-Year Planning Form
• Course Rotations
• Course Check-Off/Advising Form
• Internship Requirements
• Major Application Form
• Minor Application Form
• Online Resources

To be admitted as a major to the Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising major the following process is required:   There are no courses prerequisites for admission to the ATM major. 

• Meet with a program advisor
• Complete the FCS Major Application Form (see above)
• Freshmen are encouraged to apply however all students must hold a 2.3 cumulative GPA upon attaining Sophomore standing (45 credits)
• Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising  applicants please complete this survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Apparel_Entry_Assessment