Programs
Get in Touch!
Andrea Eklund
509-963-2067
andrea.eklund@cwu.edu
The apparel, textiles and merchandising program cultivates tomorrow’s fashion leaders and develops industry-ready professionals who are forward-thinking, creative, innovative, relevant, and passionate. The program gives students a thorough background in the business aspects of the fashion industry, developing skills in fashion theory; creativity; merchandising; retail operations; buying strategies; technology; fashion forecasting; and target markets.
The apparel, textiles, and merchandising major prepares students for a wide range of careers in the international fields of buying, merchandising, fashion trend analysis, product development, merchandise planning, entrepreneurship, visual merchandising, fashion styling, product/brand/licensing management, quality assurance, and more.
The apparel, textiles, and merchandising major combines fashion, business and creativity to foster students personal goals. Students immerse themselves in chosen interest areas where they learn, understand and apply new knowledge to the many facets of the apparel industry.
Alex Lange
509-963-2766
Alex.Lange@cwu.edu
The Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, a specialization in Fashion Marketing, a minor in Apparel Design, and a minor in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising. Students gain a thorough knowledge of the business aspects of the fashion industry, developing skills in fashion theory; creativity; merchandising; retail operations; buying strategies; technology; fashion forecasting; and target markets depending on program choice. Students use a blend of both right and left-brain thinking to become industry leaders who are forward-thinking, creative, innovative, relevant, and passionate. Small class sizes with rigorous learning experiences supplemented with industry field trips and internships assures students are industry-ready.
The apparel, textiles, and merchandising major prepares students for a wide range of careers in the international fields of buying, merchandising, fashion trend analysis, product development, merchandise planning, entrepreneurship, visual merchandising, fashion styling, product/brand/licensing management, quality assurance, and more.
Graduates of the fashion marketing specialization are creative and business professionals working in social media management, editorial communications, fashion marketing, fashion promotions, photo styling, and fashion journalism.
Seattle is number four in the US apparel industry with vast opportunities to stay in the pacific northwest post-graduation or go nationally or internationally. The Central Washington University apparel, textiles, and merchandising program combines fashion, business, and creativity to foster students’ personal goals. Students immerse themselves in chosen interest areas where they learn, understand, and apply new knowledge to the many facets of the apparel industry while networking with industry professionals throughout their education.
Jodi Musser
509-963-2773
Jodi.Musser@cwu.edu
Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a relevant hands-on exploration of career options incorporating basic academic and life skills, leadership preparation, and advanced and continuing education offered in grades 7 to 12. CWU offers CTE teaching courses for current teachers and business and industry professionals.
Combining your career, industry, or teaching knowledge with a CTE certificate opens doors to teaching CTE programs in middle and high schools, as well as skill centers. Apply now and begin to build a teaching foundation that will propel you to unparalleled success in the classroom.
Central’s CTE Teacher Preparation program is uniquely designed for busy, working professionals and is approved by the Washington Professional Education Standards Board. Course requirements can be satisfied in as little as five weeks, for certificated teachers; two years for industry professionals.
Amy Claridge
509-963-2758
Amy.Claridge@cwu.edu
The Child Development and Family Science major prepares students with the knowledge and skills to work effectively with families and children in a dynamic world. Students choose from three specializations: Child Development, Family Science, or Child Life.
The Child Development and Family Science major prepares students to pursue careers in family social services, early intervention, child life, adoption, childcare, community youth programs, or other careers involving work with children and families. Students are also well-prepared to pursue graduate education in child life, mental health counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, human development and family studies, or related fields.
Students in the Child Development and Family Science program complete a multi-term internship at an agency suited to their professional goals and interests. Students also participate in research and often present at the university, regional, or national level. The Child Development and Family Science program offers two minors: Child Development and Family Science, as well as a graduate degree in Child Development and Family Science.
Jodi Musser
509-963-2773
Jodi.Musser@cwu.edu
Students in Family and Consumer Sciences can touch lives, focusing on areas such as child development, family relations, consumer economics, personal finance, fashion design, and business and marketing teacher preparation. They learn about issues that affect individuals, families and communities.
At CWU, students who wish to teach family and consumer sciences will learn about developing interpersonal communication, oral presentation skills, leadership, problem solving, and conflict resolution. Graduates can go on to teaching careers that help educate the next generation of students on issues that affect their lives and their communities.
CWU is definitley the school of choice if your dream is to become a teacher. CWU alumni have won five Washington State Teacher of the Year awards since 2005 and CWU is ranked eighth regionally (Washington, Oregon, and California) as a top teacher preparation institution, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality.
Jodi Musser
509-963-2773
jodi.musser@cwu.edu
Family and Consumer Sciences comprises a general introduction to the broad areas of family and consumer sciences and, with an appropriate minor, can provide students with a well-rounded preparation for life or for further advanced study. Subjects include fashion, nutrition, finance, child development, and housing.
Family and Consumer Sciences offers an amazingly broad spectrum of courses for students interested in studying the role of individuals within families and as consumers. Majors require a minor or double major.
Family and Consumer Sciences majors learn tangible skills about concreate subjects that easily translate into opportunities in the real world. Our graduates learn about concerns that relate to basic needs such as housing, nutrition, apparel, finance, life management and relationships
Alex Lange
509-963-2766
Alex.Lange@cwu.edu
The Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising program offers a Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising, a specialization in Fashion Marketing, a minor in Apparel Design, and a minor in Apparel, Textiles, and Merchandising. Students gain a thorough knowledge of the business aspects of the fashion industry, developing skills in fashion theory; creativity; merchandising; retail operations; buying strategies; technology; fashion forecasting; and target markets depending on program choice. Students use a blend of both right and left-brain thinking to become industry leaders who are forward-thinking, creative, innovative, relevant, and passionate. Small class sizes with rigorous learning experiences supplemented with industry field trips and internships assures students are industry-ready.
The apparel, textiles, and merchandising major prepares students for a wide range of careers in the international fields of buying, merchandising, fashion trend analysis, product development, merchandise planning, entrepreneurship, visual merchandising, fashion styling, product/brand/licensing management, quality assurance, and more.
Graduates of the fashion marketing specialization are creative and business professionals working in social media management, editorial communications, fashion marketing, fashion promotions, photo styling, and fashion journalism.
Seattle is number four in the US apparel industry with vast opportunities to stay in the pacific northwest post-graduation or go nationally or internationally. The Central Washington University apparel, textiles, and merchandising program combines fashion, business, and creativity to foster students’ personal goals. Students immerse themselves in chosen interest areas where they learn, understand, and apply new knowledge to the many facets of the apparel industry while networking with industry professionals throughout their education.
Carla Jellum
509-963-2568
carla.jellum@cwu.edu
CWU’s Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management (HTE) program offers opportunities to focus on managerial and supervisory roles in the fields of hospitality, tourism and event management. Degrees from this program lead to creative and dynamic careers, which focus on business operations, marketing, organizational management, communications, planning and sustainability skill sets within HTE.
Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management graduates pursue careers in the world's largest industry. Professional positions are plentiful and diverse.
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Hospitality: Hotel owner, restaurant manager, resort recreation director, sales and marketing professional, entrepreneur and more!
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Tourism: Tour operator, destination marketing manager, visitor service provider, marketing manager, business owner, online travel provider, airline industry professional and more!
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Events: Convention center manager, event planner, recreation and sports programming coordinator, non-profit fundraising professional, wedding planner and more!
Established in 1947, this degree program at CWU was the first at a college or university in Washington state. We aim to offer small class sizes, hands-on education, field trip experiences and practical applications within our academic courses. CWU is in a wonderful location, which offers opportunities to engage in HTE programming in both rural and urban environments – such as visiting a busy international airport and then a boutique rural hotel! Our friendly faculty have practical, real-world HTE industry experience and will share local to global perspectives and experiences with you.
Kristine Miller
509-963-1169
kristine.miller@cwu.edu
This interdisciplinary program provides students with a broad understanding of the wine industry. The curriculum focuses on the development of core wine knowledge consisting of sensory analysis, wine regions and grape varietals, viticulture and enology, pairing wine with food, and professional wine service.
Students completing the Global Wine Studies specialization focus on international wine production, wine tourism, wine program development, wine and food pairing, and receive specialized training in the critical analysis of wines. The Wine Industry Management specialization prepares students to participate in wine business professions by developing expertise in wine distribution, wine business management, legal compliance, and marketing and branding.
This degree is for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry and is open to students 18 and older. Graduates are prepared for a wide variety of exciting roles including wine marketing, tasting room management, direct-to-consumer sales, wine club management, professional sommelier, wine program development and management, compliance, consulting, and more. With over 1,000 bonded wineries in Washington State alone, opportunities abound!
The CWU Wine Studies degree is one of the few programs in the nation that emphasizes the business side of the wine industry. Students learn from wine industry professionals whose current expertise and connections serve as a bridge to career opportunities. Our classes emphasize theory and practice, with fun, engaging hands-on learning activities. Classroom-based instruction is integrated with real-world experiences through internships, a faculty-led study abroad trip to Europe, as well as tasting room and winery visits. Wine Studies students also benefit from CWU’s prime location within the Columbia Valley AVA. This region is home to over 99% of all of Washington’s vinifera acreage, placing students in close proximity to a myriad of exciting career and job opportunities.
Why family and consumer sciences at CWU?
Seattle is number four in the US apparel industry with vast opportunities to stay in the pacific northwest post-graduation or go nationally or internationally. The Central Washington University apparel, textiles, and merchandising program combines fashion, business, and creativity to foster students’ personal goals. Students immerse themselves in chosen interest areas where they learn, understand, and apply new knowledge to the many facets of the apparel industry while networking with industry professionals throughout their education.
Connect with CWU family and consumer sciences.
Career Opportunities
Government agencies
Social service organizations
Church or religious organizations
Hospitality industry
Fashion industry
City parks
Winery manager
Cruise manager
Experience Family and Consumer Sciences at CWU
Points of Pride
CWU’s family and consumer sciences is ranked as one of the top Great Value Colleges for Family and Consumer Sciences in the United States.
CWU is the only university in the United States. offering a bachelor’s degree that prepares graduates for the business side of the wine industry, which accounts for 75 percent of wine-industry careers.
Megan West, who graduated from CWU with a major in apparel, textiles, and merchandising was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Washington State Main Street Program. West owns Claim Clothing of Ellensburg.
CWU is one of only two universities in the state of Washington offering business and marketing teacher preparation programs.
CWU is one of only two universities in the state of Washington to offer an undergraduate degree in child life, and the only program in the Northwest to offer a graduate program in child life.