The Department of Textile, Apparel Design & Merchandising is designed to prepare students for professional careers in the textile and apparel industries, which are interconnected and global in nature, this curriculum provides an integrated, multi-functional academic experience. Students focus on the design, development, and marketing of textile and apparel products and are encouraged to develop a broad based problem solving perspective through synthesis of concepts, course work, and work experiences. Students concentrate on a component of the textile/apparel industry complex by selecting textile science, apparel design, or merchandising as a program area. Graduates pursue careers with textile and apparel manufacturers, retailers, testing laboratories, government agencies, media firms, or they may open their own businesses.