Apparel Merchandising and Design Major at Central Michigan University
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 Design Concentration
(36 hours)
Core Courses
3
AMD 141 Apparel Design Analysis
3
AMD 155 Introduction to Textiles
3
AMD 246 Computer-Aided Design for Apparel
3
AMD 252 Dress and Culture
3
AMD 256 Introduction to Fashion Industry
2
AMD 330 Preprofessional Seminar in Apparel Merchandising and Design
3
AMD 346 Advanced CAD for Apparel
3
AMD 355 Textile Analysis
4
AMD 401 Internship in Apparel Merchandising and Design
3
AMD 457 Portfolio Techniques
3
AMD 550 Textiles and Apparel in a Global Economy
3
AMD 560 Apparel Product Development
(15 hours)
Required Courses
3
AMD 140 Introduction to Apparel Construction
3
AMD 240 Advanced Apparel Construction
3
AMD 241 Apparel Design: Illustration
3
AMD 345 Apparel Design Methods
3
AMD 547 Functional Apparel Design
(3 hours)
Electives
3
AMD 546 Experimental CAD for Apparel
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Related Programs
The Apparel, Merchandising, and Design sequence prepares students for employment in the product development, distribution and retail sectors of the textile and apparel business industries.
Students study the flow of apparel from production to sales with a focus on apparel design, merchandising, and product development and analysis, as well as business skills that employers find attractive.
In 2004, the College of Human Ecology was disbanded. The former Department of Human Environment and Design consisted of three majors
Apparel and Textile Design
Interior Design
Merchandising Management (now Retailing)
All three majors still exist but they are now located in three different colleges as follows:
Apparel and Textile Design is in the Department of Art and Art History and is in the College of Arts and Letters.
Interior Design is in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction and is in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Merchandising Management is now named Retailing and is in the Department of Advertising, Public Relations, and
Concentrations: Apparel Design and Production and Merchandising.
Apparel Design & Production students acquire expertise in computer-aided design, production processes, and line development. Merchandising students focus on the inter¬national apparel industry, utilize multi-million dollar Lectra industry software, produce a fashion show, and benefit from industry internships.
Graduates find employment in design, product development, and quality assurance, and as assistant buyers, trend analysts, and visual merchandisers.
Human Environment and Design - Redirect
In 2004, the College of Human Ecology was disbanded. The former Department of Human Environment and Design consisted of three majors
Apparel and Textile Design
Interior Design
Merchandising Management (now Retailing)
All three majors still exist but they are now located in three different colleges as follows:
Apparel and Textile Design is in the Department of Art and Art History and is in the College of Arts and Letters.
Interior Design is in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction and is in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Merchandising Management is now named Retailing and is in the Department
APPAREL AND TEXTILES (AT)
Major in apparel and textiles (AT). The AT major is planned for students interested in preparing for merchandising, management, design, and production careers in retailing and/or the textile and apparel industry. This major is also appropriate for students who are interested in pursuing a wide variety of entrepreneurial opportunities in fashion retailing, textiles, and/or apparel.
Required courses for all AT majors Hours
CTD 102 Applied Design 3
CTD 261 Textiles 3
CTD 281 Fashion Retailing I 3
CTD 447 Textiles and Apparel in International Trade (W) 3
CTD 448 History of Costume or CTD 415 History of Textile Design (W) 3
EC 110 Principles of Microeconomics (SB) 3
MKT 300 Marketing 3
___
Total: 21
Apparel, Textiles, and Design
The Apparel, Textiles, and Design major is a broad based program providing preparation for entry into the fashion industry, creative sewing and design careers, and graduate school. Core courses include clothing design and construction, textiles, costume history, and fashion merchandising. A senior internship is available in an ATD professional workplace. A minor in art or business is recommended.
This program prepares you to work in a variety of merchandising and design positions. While some graduates work in theatrical costume design or in museum curatorial work, most are employed in buying and merchandise management, visual merchandising, product development and design for large and small companies.
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