Graduate Studies

Mission Statement for the Graduate Program

The mission of graduate education in the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design, and Textiles (AMDT) is to educate professionals for whom the master’s degree may or may not be a terminal degree and who will leave the program with research expertise in one or more areas in the design/development, production, distribution and consumption of textile and apparel products. Specifically, the graduate program is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and development of theory related to textiles, apparel and merchandising. We emphasize multiple methods of inquiry. Our interdisciplinary program assists students in understanding the integrated nature of the field. Students become scholars capable of contributing in a global domain through study of specialized topics related to consumers, producers, and distributors. In an atmosphere of collegiality, faculty and students assimilate, evaluate, develop and implement theoretical and applied research that addresses relevant issues of the textile/apparel/retail industry, consumers and individuals. Our aim is to recruit and serve students from diverse backgrounds that exhibit both analytical and verbal skills and show a high degree of motivation. Graduates enter positions in business and industry, higher education, and public and private agencies.

AMDT MS Program-level Graduate Student Learning Outcomes

All students will demonstrate the ability to work in teams, design and conduct a research, and communicate in writing and orally. In addition, all students are expected to be aware of societal, professional, and ethical issues related to the discipline. The Master’s degree program is designed to prepare individuals with state-of-the-art knowledge for managerial and leadership positions in industry, business, and non-profit organizations; teaching careers; or continued graduate study.

Upon successful completion of the graduate program, AMDT graduates will:

Assimilate, integrate, and evaluate SCHOLARSHIP in OUR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY FIELD.
Understand basic research design, AND VARIED RESEARCH METHODS AND ANALYSIS.
Develop expertise AND CONDUCT RESEARCH in one or more specific areas of the discipline.
Describe the impact of current trends and FORECAST FOR OUR FIELD.
Expand CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING skills.
Make STRATEGIC AND ETHICAL decisions and develop EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS for organizations.

Contact Information

AMDT Department
Washington State University
P.O. Box 6406
Pullman, WA 99164-2020
Telephone: 509-335-1233
Fax: 509-335-7299
Email: amdt@wsu.edu

Program Level Graduate Student Learning Outcomes 2020-2021

Washington State University offers a dynamic Master of Science Program in Apparel, Merchandising, and Textiles.

Opportunities available with the AMDT master’s program include:

Individualized, in-depth programs of study
Nationally and internationally recognized faculty
Faculty research grants to support students
Publications in refereed research journals
Designs and creative work in juried exhibits
Competitive assistantships
Graduate internships

The master’s program provides students with opportunities to pursue research through the completion of a thesis or project. Research areas for a thesis or project include:

Apparel/Textile product development
Medical textiles
Smart textiles
Sustainable material development
Fit and function
Consumer behavior
Creative scholarship and design
Merchandising
International trade
Sustainable supply chain management
Economic development
Omni-channel retailing
Mobile commerce

Besides the graduate courses offered in AMDT, students are encouraged to take courses from related disciplines such as business, psychology, sociology, anthropology, history, women’s studies, statistics, and engineering. By branching out to other areas of study students are provided opportunities to expand their knowledge, theory, skills, and methodologies. Faculty members from other disciplines may also act as mentors and serve on graduate committees