The department’s programs encompass product and service knowledge; the study of people who produce and distribute products and services, as well as the study of the people who use them; and the processes involved from conception to consumption. Programs in the department focus on enhancing consumer, individual and family well-being.

The fashion and retail studies major will prepare you to manage and merchandise fashion apparel, textiles, beauty and accessory products that will be manufactured and sold around the world.

Students take a core of major courses and select supporting major choice courses. The major is designed to integrate knowledge of people and apparel with allocation and distribution processes and product acquisition. Emphasis is placed on product knowledge—performance characteristics, selection criteria, and design principles and trends; process skills—consumer behavior and business practices; and communication—visualization and interpretation.

The curriculum combines product-focused courses with courses in retailing, marketing, management and accounting. Other courses focus on the development and quality evaluation of textile and apparel products and on commercial production of apparel worldwide. Qualities and performance of fibers, fabrics and constructed apparel products are also studied.