May 02, 2024

Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22

Undergraduate Catalog 2021-22 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Fashion Merchandising and Design Concentrations (FMEJ, FDDJ)

The Fashion Merchandising and Design major has two concentrations: The Merchandising concentration and the Design and Development concentration. The Merchandising concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in retailing and related fields. The four-year program includes studies in merchandising, marketing, and management. A minor is optional, though many students select a general business, marketing or management minor. Other related fields can also be selected as minor studies, e.g., communication, journalism, or world language.

Students who graduate with a Merchandising concentration pursue careers in retail management, buying or marketing. Career opportunities also exist in the apparel and textile wholesaling fields.

The Design and Development concentration prepares students for careers in the design and manufacturing production cycle of the apparel/softlines industry, careers including design, pattern drafting, and quality control, or with textile-producing companies as technicians or fashion analysts. Individuals interested in the Design and Development concentration may complete up to 18 hours of design study at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Regent’s University in London, England, or Florence University of the Arts in Florence, Italy during their junior or senior year. A minor in business, communication or art is recommended.

Fashion Merchandising and Design: Merchandising (FMEJ)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree with the Merchandising concentration must complete the following program of 122 hours.

1. General Education Requirements (37 hours)

2. Required Core Courses (30 hours)

Students in the Merchandising concentration will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing requirement by successfully completing FCS 3300 Entrepreneurship in FCS.

FCS 1260 - The Fashion Industry Credits: 3 hours
FCS 1550 - Design Principles Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2020 - Field Experience Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(3 hours total are required)
FCS 3050 - Professional Job Search Strategies Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3260 - History of Fashion Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3300 - Entrepreneurship in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 3 hours
FCS 4220 - Product Development Credits: 3 hours
FCS 5240 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3 hours
OR
FCS 5340 - Consumer Behavior in the Fashion Environment Credits: 3 hours
OR
FCS 5440 - Global Aspects of the Fashion Industry Credits: 3 hours

Note:

FCS 5240, 5340 and 5440 can be taken as an elective if not used as a required core course.

Off campus study option:

Up to 18 credit hours may be applied toward the Fashion Merchandising and Design: Merchandising concentration by successful completion of 1-6 courses at one of our approved partner institutions. Students may enroll in pre-approved courses at Regents University Fashion School (London) or Florence University of the Arts (Florence), usually in the junior or senior year. Off campus study courses must be planned and approved in advance. Tuition and room and board rates of partner institution apply for off campus options. See your academic advisor or program faculty for more information.

6. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours.

Fashion Merchandising and Design: Design and Development Concentration (FDDJ)

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree with the Design and Development concentration must complete the following program of 122 semester hours.

1. General Education Requirements (37 hours)

2. Required Core Courses (33 hours)

Students in the Design and Development concentration will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing requirement by successfully completing FCS 3300 - Entrepreneurship in FCS.

FCS 1260 - The Fashion Industry Credits: 3 hours
FCS 1550 - Design Principles Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2020 - Field Experience Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(3 hours total are required)
FCS 2260 - Fashion/Retail Buying Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3050 - Professional Job Search Strategies Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3260 - History of Fashion Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3300 - Entrepreneurship in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 3 hours
FCS 4220 - Product Development Credits: 3 hours
FCS 5240 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3 hours
Or
FCS 5340 - Consumer Behavior in the Fashion Environment Credits: 3 hours
Or
FCS 5440 - Global Aspects of the Fashion Industry Credits: 3 hours

Required Core Cognate Courses

FCS 2200 - Textiles Credits: 3 hours
CIS 1020 - Introduction to Business Computing and Data Analysis Credits: 3 hours
OR
FCS 2250 - Computer Applications Credits: 3 hours

3. Required Courses (27 hours)

FCS 1240 - Apparel Construction I Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2220 - Fashion Design Studio I Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2240 - Apparel Construction II Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2300 - Computer Aided Design for Fashion Credits: 3 hours
FCS 4240 - Apparel Line Development Credits: 3 hours
FCS 2530 - Fashion Illustration Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3220 - Fashion Design Studio II Credits: 3 hours

Required Cognate Courses

BUS 1750 - Business Enterprise Credits: 3 hours
COM 1040 - Public Speaking Credits: 3 hours
OR
COM 1700 - Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3 hours

4. Related Electives (Choose 12 hours)

FCS 2090 - Family Resource Management Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3200 - Visual Merchandising Credits: 3 hours
FCS 3150 - Global Ecology of the Family Credits: 3 hours (This course satisfies WMU Essential Studies Level 3: Connections – Global Perspectives Category)
FCS 3290 - Promotion in the Merchandising Environment Credits: 3 hours
FCS 4300 - Merchandising Seminar Credits: 3 hours
FCS 5240 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3 hours
FCS 5340 - Consumer Behavior in the Fashion Environment Credits: 3 hours
FCS 5440 - Global Aspects of the Fashion Industry Credits: 3 hours
MGMT 2500 - Organizational Behavior Credits: 3 hours
MKTG 2500 - Marketing Principles Credits: 3 hours

Note:

FCS 5240, 5340, and 5440 can be taken as an elective if not used as a required core course.

5. Related Experiential Electives Choose (3 hours)

FCS 2050 - Topics in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(FMD related)
FCS 4290 - Internship Credits: 2 to 6 hours
FCS 5220 - Topics in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 1 to 3 hours
(FMD related)
FCS 5900 - Project/Problems in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 1 to 4 hours
FCS 5980 - Independent Study in Family and Consumer Sciences Credits: 1 to 6 hours

Note:

Off campus study option:

Up to 18 credit hours may be applied toward the Fashion Merchandising and Design: Design & Development concentration by successful completion of 1-6 courses at one of our approved partner institutions. Students may enroll in pre-approved courses at Regents University Fashion School (London), Florence University of the Arts (Florence) or Fashion Institute of Technology (New York City), usually in the junior or senior year. Off campus study courses must be planned and approved in advance. Tuition and room and board rates of partner institution apply for off campus options. See your academic advisor or program faculty for more information.

Fashion Merchandising and Design Concentrations (FMEJ, FDDJ)

Fashion Merchandising and Design: Merchandising (FMEJ)

1. General Education Requirements (37 hours)

2. Required Core Courses (30 hours)

Required Core Cognate Courses

3. Required Merchandising Courses (12 hours)

4. Required Related Courses (21 hours)

Required Related Cognate Courses

5. Related Electives (Choose 6 hours)

Note:

6. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours.

Fashion Merchandising and Design: Design and Development Concentration (FDDJ)

1. General Education Requirements (37 hours)

2. Required Core Courses (33 hours)

Required Core Cognate Courses

3. Required Courses (27 hours)

Required Cognate Courses

4. Related Electives (Choose 12 hours)

Note:

5. Related Experiential Electives Choose (3 hours)

Note:

6. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours.