Are you interested in career in a field that is ever changing and challenging? If so, a major in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising (TAM) may be right for you. Do you have the following qualities:

Good attitude
Dedication
Enthusiasm
Goal-oriented

Relevant educational background
High energy level
Leadership skills
Decision -making skills

Career Opportunities

Retail buyer or assistant buyer
Retail management
Management trainee programs with department stores, mass merchandisers, or specialty stores
Advertising, journalism, or photography as these areas relate to the fashion industry
Special events coordinator
Fashion promotion
Visual merchandiser
Showroom sales or sales representative for manufacturers of apparel or related goods
Personal shopper

To be Successful

Students learn about:

functions of retailing
cultural aspects of clothing
analysis of ready-to-wear quality
textiles
global marketing

trends in retailing
history of costume
family systems and nutrition
principles of design
consumers in the environment

Enhancement to Classroom Experiences:

attend retail conferences
participate in field trips
tour retail facilities
leadership opportunities in student organizations
guest speakers from retail industries
trips to major market centers
visit relevant museum exhibits
A work experience program is offered to provide hands-on experience in the retailing industry.

Course Requirements

FCS CORE - 9 hours
FCS107 - 1 hr. Contemporary and Historic Perspectives of Family and Consumer Sciences
FCS109 - 3 hrs. Lifespan Development and Nutrition
FCS301 - 3 hrs. Family Resource Management FCS407 - 2 hrs. Family and Consumer Sciences Professional Seminar

TAM REQUIREMENTS - 24 hours
FCS111 - 3 hrs. Clothing I or
FCS211 - 3 hrs. Intermediate Clothing
FCS212 - 3 hrs. Evaluation of Ready-to-Wear Apparel
FCS214 - 3 hrs. Perspectives of Dress I
FCS216 - 3 hrs. Introduction to Fashion Merchandising FCS217 - 3 hrs. Textiles I
FCS314 - 3 hrs. History of Costume
FCS316 - 3 hrs. Fashion Analysis
FCS419 - 3 hrs. Recent Trends in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising

TAM ELECTIVES - 15 hours
FCS211 - 3 hrs. Intermediate Clothing
FCS312 - 3 hrs. Weaving I
FCS313 - 3 hrs. Quantitative Analysis of Merchandising
FCS412 - 2 hrs. Apparel Market Experience
FCS414 - 3 hrs. Perspectives of Dress II
FCS416 - 3 hrs. Merchandise Buying and Assortment Planning
FCS417 - 3 hrs. Textiles II
FCS418 - 3hrs. Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising Work Experience
FCS419 - 3 hrs. Recent Trends in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising
FCS497 - 1-3 hrs. Special Problems in Textiles, Apparel, and Merchandising

For further information contact Dr. Peggy Engelbach, Coordinator