Why study apparel merchandising and design at CMU?

The apparel merchandising and design program at CMU prepares students for careers in the apparel and textile industries. Consider these key features distinguishing this program at CMU:

• Course work and hands-on experiences offered in state-of the-art facilities, including computer-aided design laboratories, textile testing laboratory, and apparel production laboratory
• The only university in Michigan to have a body scanner to custom design clothing and the only environmental chamber in the state that can test clothing in a climate-controlled environment
• Opportunities to receive credit for taking selected courses at New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology, the American College in London, the Paris American Academy, and other institutions
• Experienced faculty members who make teaching their top priority

Career outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, for all occupations through the year 2014:

• Employers seek designers with a two- or four-year degree who are knowledgeable about textiles, fabrics, ornamentation, and fashion trends.
• The best job opportunities will be in design firms that design mass market clothing sold in department stores and retail chain stores.
• As technologies and engineering advancements in textile production are implemented, the need will arise for more highly skilled workers who can work in an increasingly high-technology environment.

Career options

Graduates of the apparel merchandising and design program at CMU will find a variety of career opportunities. Some of these may require additional education.

• Apparel Designer
• Catalog Development Specialist
• Costume Designer
• Entrepreneur
• Fashion Illustrator
• Merchandise Coordinator
• Museum Curator
• Technical Designer
• Textile Designer
• Trend Forecaster

Program Overview

The course listings below are a representation of what this academic program requires. For a full review of this program in detail please see our official online academic bulletin AND consult with an academic advisor. This listing does not include the General Education courses required for all majors and may not include some program specific information, such as admissions, retention, and termination standards.

(Click on the course name or number for a complete course description.)

Apparel Merchandising and Design Major:Apparel Merchandising Concentration

(36 hours)

Core Courses

3

AMD 141 Apparel Design Analysis

The apparel design process. Emphasis on the aesthetic component, including application of art elements/principles to visual design. Fashion as a process and product.

3

AMD 155 Introduction to Textiles

Study of fiber, yarn, and fabric properties for fashion and functional garments; impact of various processes on end-use and serviceability; includes textile laboratory analysis. Credit may not be earned in both AMD 155 and IND 155.

3

AMD 246 Computer-Aided Design for Apparel

Development and production of textile and apparel designs and patterns via selected computer-software packages. Implications for use in the apparel industry. Prerequisites: Signed major in apparel merchandising & design with a concentration in apparel design or signed major in apparel merchandising & design with a concentration in apparel merchandising. For Apparel Design Concentration: AMD 140, 141, 155. For Apparel Merchandising Concentration: AMD 141, 155.

3

AMD 252 Dress and Culture

Appearance and dress as a reflection of social, psychological and cultural environments of humans; examination of dress as an aspect of culture and individual expression. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. (University Program Group IV-A)

3

AMD 256 Introduction to Fashion Industry

A study of the complex of enterprises concerned with the design, production, and distribution of men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories. Prerequisites: AMD 141.

2

AMD 330 Preprofessional Seminar in Apparel Merchandising and Design

Seminar prior to a supervised internship in an apparel merchandising/design firm or related business. Prerequisites: Signed major in apparel merchandising & design with a concentration in apparel design or signed major in apparel merchandising & design with a concentration in apparel merchandising. For Apparel Design Concentration: AMD 140, 155, 256. For Apparel Merchandising Concentration: AMD 155, 256. Pre/Co-requisites: For both Apparel Design Concentration and Apparel Merchandising concentration: AMD 246. Recommended: For Apparel Design Concentration: any art studio course or AMD 546. For Apparel Merchandising Concentration: BLR 325/WST 325 or MGT 320 or MGT 357 or ACC 201 or MKT 340.

3

AMD 346 Advanced CAD for Apparel

Apparel design and production techniques using computer systems and CAD software. Web site development, portfolio development, and CAD related career exploration. Prerequisites: AMD 246.

3

AMD 355 Textile Analysis

Use of standardized testing in quality control of textiles for end-use and serviceability. Prerequisite: AMD 155.

4

AMD 401 Internship in Apparel Merchandising and Design

A structured internship experience that fosters transfer of knowledge and skill into competencies required for successful performance in an apparel merchandising or design career. Prerequisites: AMD 330.

3

AMD 457 Portfolio Techniques

A Capstone course to develop a professional portfolio and an e-portfolio integrating knowledge across the curriculum, experiential learning, technical presentation and communication skills. Prerequisites: AMD 401; senior standing.

3

AMD 550 Textiles and Apparel in a Global Economy

Examination of issues related to the globalization of the textile/apparel industry, theories of international development and expansion, and the distribution of fashion goods. Prerequisites: 56 semester hours with at least 12 hours in apparel merchandising and design courses including AMD 401.

3

AMD 560 Apparel Product Development

Integration of merchandising and design functions through team-based and case-based study, and /or industry collaboration as a total process for apparel product development. Prerequisites: Signed major in Apparel Merchandising & Design with a concentration in Apparel Design or signed major in Apparel Merchandising & Design with a concentration in Apparel Merchandising. For Apparel Design concentration: AMD 246, 345, 355, 401; Pre/Co-requisite AMD 550. For Apparel Merchandising Concentration: AMD 246, 355, 358, 401; Pre/Co-requisite AMD 550. Or admission to College of Graduate Studies. Co-requisites: AMD 550.

(13 hours)

Required Courses

3

AMD 332 Fashion Buying

Fundamentals of the fashion buying function: practices, procedures, and techniques including merchandising calculations and buying simulation. Prerequisites: AMD 256, BIS/CPS 106, successful completion of math competency.

3

AMD 356 Visual Merchandising

Principles and practices of effective merchandise presentation and display including techniques, resources and evaluation. Prerequisite: AMD 256.

3

AMD 358 Multichannel Fashion Merchandising

In-depth examination of multichannel fashion merchandising including topics such as store locations, catalog and web merchandising, mobile commerce, TV home shopping, and virtual fashion. Prerequisites: AMD 246, 256.

3

AMD 410 Fashion Advertising and Promotion

A study of key fashion media, cutting-edge strategies, and techniques for branding, advertising and promoting fashion products. Prerequisites: AMD 256. Pre/Co-requisites: AMD 246, 330.

(3 hours)

Electives

Select one of the following:

3

ACC 201 Concepts of Financial Accounting

Students gain an understanding of the accounting system used to develop financial statements. The emphasis is on interpreting financial data used in business decision making. Recommended: completion of MTH 105. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format.

3

BLR 325/WST 325 Women and the Law

Examines perceptions and behavior toward women and their struggle for change so as to achieve gender equality through use of the law. Identical to WST 325. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group III-A)

3

MGT 320 Human Resource Management

Examines process for providing and maintaining productive human resources in an organization. Includes recruitment, selection, training, performance appraisal, compensation, labor relations, and health and safety. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisites: MGT 258 or MGT 312, 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.

3

MGT 357 Women in Management

Opportunities, challenges, and problems of women in pursuing a career in management. Considers changing roles, legal aspects, differences and effect on male-female relationships. This course is approved for offering in a distance learning format. Prerequisites: MGT 258 or MGT 312; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on signed major or minor.

3

MKT 340 Personal Selling

Analysis of the field of personal selling as a vital element of the promotional efforts of the firm. Prerequisites: MKT 300 or MKT 304; 56 semester hours completed; admission to Professional Business Studies or listed on a signed major or minor; or with approval from the Office of Undergraduate Business Studies.