Curriculum Guide 2022 ⇒
Older Curriculum Guides ⇒

Fact Sheets
- Fashion Product Development/Interior Merchandising
- Fashion Entrepreneurship/Retail Merchandising

Four Year Plans
- Fashion Product Development
- Fashion Entrepreneurship
- Retail Merchandising
- Retail Merchandising+Marketing Double Major

Two Year Plans for Transferred Students
- Fashion Product Development
- Fashion Entrepreneurship
- Retail Merchandising

Apparel, Retail Merchandising & Design Minor ⇒
Apparel, Retail Merchandising & Design Certificate ⇒
Gen Ed Requirements ⇒

Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design Course Descriptions

ADHM 101 - Beginning Apparel Construction. 3 Credits.
Introduction to basic apparel assembly methods and use of a sewing machine. S.Su. Online option available.

ADHM 151 - Design Fundamentals. 3 Credits.
Study and application of elements and principles of design; two- and three-dimensional applications. Coreq: ADHM 160, ADHM 161. Prereq: Interior Design major. F. S.

ADHM 155. Apparel Construction and Fit. 3 Credits.
Principles of apparel construction and analysis. Construction of a fitting sloper and two fashion garments. Prereq: ADHM 101. S.

ADHM 171. Fashion Dynamics. 3 Credits.
Introductory course tracing the development of fashion and its industry that includes consumer demand and fashion change, the development, production, and marketing of goods from concept to consumer, and their interrelationships. F.

ADHM 181. Aesthetics and Visual Analysis of Apparel Products. 3 Credits.
Analysis of aesthetics and design principles and their application to apparel and textiles products, environment and oneself. S.

ADHM 280. Technology Applications for the Apparel Industry. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the basic digital techniques of Adobe Creative Suite to develop presentation skills necessary in textile and apparel industries. S.

ADHM 310. History of Fashion. 3 Credits.
Historic view of the evolution of fashion in the Western world through time as it relates to political/sociological/economic change. F.

ADHM 366. Textiles. 3 Credits.
Fibers, yarns, fabric construction, finishes, and dyestuffs related to selection, use, and maintenance of textile products. Coreq: ADHM 367. F. Online option available.

ADHM 373. Visual Merchandising and Promotion. 3 Credits.
Principles, procedures and sources of information essential for marketing and promoting retail merchandise sales. Experience in planning, executing and evaluating promotion plans. S. Prereq: ADHM 181. S.

ADHM 472. Product Development. 3 Credits.
Examination of issues and management strategies necessary to produce a competitively priced product. Understanding the role of technology in design, production, and marketing/sales of products. Prereq: ADHM 366, ADHM 367, ADHM 371, ADHM 385 or departmental approval. S.

ADHM 367. Textiles Laboratory. 1 Credit.
Textile product characterization through the analysis of yarn type, fabric, construction, finishes, and dyestuffs; care procedures; simple identification of fibers, yarns, and fabrics. Coreq: ADHM 366. F. Online option available.

ADHM 371. Fashion Trend Analysis and Forecasting. 3 Credits.
Study of techniques and processes of identifying past and present trends and methods for forecasting future trends, with applications in the apparel and home fashion, textiles and retail industries. Prereq: ADHM 280. F. Online option available.

ADHM 372. Global Retailing. 3 Credits.
Theoretical approach to management practices and marketing policies for retail soft goods in a complex and changing world market. Prereq: 2.5 cumulative GPA, junior standing and MRKT 320 or ADHM 171. Cross-listed with MRKT 372. F. Su. Online option available.

ADHM 375. Professional Development. 1 Credit.
Internship and career planning including professional expectations and responsibilities. Skills gained in resume and portfolio development, writing cover letters, interviewing techniques, and business etiquette. Prereq: At least junior standing. F.

ADHM 385. Global Fashion Economics. 3 Credits.
Study of factors affecting production, distribution, and consumption of products in domestic and foreign textile and apparel industries. Prereq: ADHM 171 and ECON 105, ECON 201, or ECON 202. Recommended: junior standing. F. Online option available.

ADHM 386. Merchandise Planning and Buying. 3 Credits.
This course intends to provide an overview of merchandise planning and buying. This course will introduce students to the principles, mathematical formulas and concepts of retail buying and assortment planning. Prereq: ADHM 171.

ADHM 410. Dress in World Cultures. 3 Credits.
Analysis of world dress as related to cultural, technological aesthetic, and social patterns. Concepts illustrated through comparative studies of selected world cultures. S.

ADHM 425. Experiential Retailing. 3 Credits.
Explore experiential retailing of products, services and experiences that encompass utilitarian and hedonic consumption. Apply strategies for planning, developing, and presenting products or services to create a total consumer experience. Prereq: ADHM 140 or ADHM 171 or MGMT 320 or MRKT 320.{Also offered for graduate credit - see ADHM 625.}. Online option available.

ADHM 455. Apparel Design and Assembly. 3 Credits.
Application of the principles and concepts of pattern design and apparel assembly to the creation of garments in a particular category of apparel: tailored jackets, dresses, formalwear and casual sportswear. May be repeated. Prereq: ADHM 155.

ADHM 470. Retail Financial Management and Control. 3 Credits.
Study of retail planning, buying, control, and analysis as it relates to decision-making using computer simulation packages. Prereq: CSCI 114 or TL 116, MRKT 320, MGMT 320 and ACCT 102. F.

ADHM 489. Study Tour. 1-3 Credits.
Faculty-directed tour to key fashion, design, tourism destinations, or business centers in the U.S. and abroad. Visits to off-campus destinations provide students contact with practicing professionals as they are exposed to the fast pace of a changing global industry. May be repeated. Prereq: ADHM 140 or ADHM 160, ADHM 171.

ADHM 496. Field Experience.  4-6 Credits. Su.

Graduates of this program are prepared to lead corporate social responsibility initiatives in the following areas:

• Buying and merchandising
• Market research and entrepreneurial initiatives
• Product development
• Retail and sales leadership
• Promotions and social media marketing
• Sourcing and supply chain management

Method of Delivery

The courses in this program are taught by the same instructors which teach on campus at the participating universities. Curriculum is specially adapted for the online environment to ensure students receive the same quality education as they would experience on campus.

Course schedules are determined by the teaching institution, but do not have set class times, allowing students to access course content when it is convenient for them. Students meet deadlines as outlined by the instructor, and interact with instructors and other students through e-mail, chats, discussion boards, and other interactive methods. Students must have access to a computer, e-mail, and the Internet.

What will I learn in this program that the retail industry needs?

You will learn to:

• Analyze data using a variety of techniques
• Research and implement effective business strategies
• Design customer-focused product development strategies
• Create flexible promotional campaigns
• Balance the sustainable interests of businesses, consumers and society
• Predict micro and mass market cost controls
• Navigate trade regulations and recognize cultural concerns
• Understand the evolving standards of corporate social responsibility

In addition to learning about the industry, you will create relationships with other students who work all over the world in various aspects of retail.