The Apparel, Textiles & Merchandising major 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 well-rounded base knowledge about textile and apparel products, merchandising strategies, product development, production processes, trends, consumers, and sustainability.

Job Prospects

Buyer, merchandiser, trend analyst, product developer, merchandise planner, entrepreneur, brand/licensing manager, sales rep, visual communications, quality assurance.

Where our alumni work

Nordstrom, REI, zumiez, Amazon, Volcom, The North Face, Nike, H&M, Seattle Mariners, Tommy Bahama

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