Graduate Program Mission & Outcomes

Mission Statement

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.