Apparel and Textiles/Apparel Studies

Students interested in the apparel and textiles industry find opportunities in design, product development, marketing, sales, product quality assurance, consulting, business ownership and research. Apparel studies graduates develop and deliver products to the global market place. They create innovative and sensitive solutions to meet consumer and societal needs. Apparel studies at North Dakota State University provides students a theoretically-based education with practical application.

Background Information

The U.S. textile and apparel industries are made up of companies that produce fibers, yarns, textiles and apparel and accessory products for industrial, wholesale and individual consumers around the world. These industries are some of the largest and most productive in the world. Because of the size and nature of the industry, the career opportunities within the apparel and textile industries are nearly limitless.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are able to choose challenging careers that build on their particular interests. For example, graduates have accepted positions in production management, visual merchandising, fashion writing and editing, quality control, museum collection management, theatrical costume designing and store management. Other graduates have used their skills to successfully run their own businesses.

The Program

An option in apparel studies focuses on developing, designing and marketing materials and products within the market and industry. The curriculum incorporates an international and historical focus. Students pursuing a B.S. degree in apparel and textiles with the apparel studies option have flexibility in their program of study. They can combine apparel and textiles with a minor in communication, public history, visual arts, theater arts or other areas based on their planned career path. Those with well-defined career goals can combine an apparel studies major with a minor or second major that builds upon their interests. (The apparel and textiles/retail merchandising focus allows students to prepare themselves for a career in retailing; see the Apparel and Textiles/Retail Merchandising Fact Sheet).

Our Contacts Beyond College Walls

The Department of Apparel, Design, Facility and Hospitality Management regularly plans travel and study programs to fashion, design and/or business centers. Off-campus study provides students contact with practicing professionals. Study tours to national and international destinations expose students to the fast pace of the changing global apparel textile industry and allow them to earn college credit. The department's affiliation with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City permits NDSU students who qualify to earn credits as visiting students and to gain experience in the heart of the fashion and textiles business world. Students study at NDSU for their first three years and attend FIT their fourth year of study, if accepted by FIT into the visiting student program. NDSU students earn associate degrees at FIT and bachelor’s degrees from NDSU. North Dakota students pay out of state tuition (based on FIT’s tuition structure) for this program. Through the Tri-College University, students may take advantage of course offerings and facilities provided by Minnesota State University Moorhead and Concordia College. In addition, NDSU offers many study abroad programs in which students are encouraged to participate.

The Facilities

The Department of Apparel, Design, Facility and Hospitality Management is housed in the Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall and the Family Life Center on the NDSU campus. Facilities provide well-equipped classrooms as well as one of the few textiles testing laboratories in the region. The Emily P. Reynolds Historic Costume Collection provides an excellent resource for students’ projects and reports. Clusters of microcomputers are located in the Family Life Center and E. Morrow Lebedeff Hall for students’ convenience.

Co-Curricular Activities

The Fashion, Apparel and Business Organization (FABO) allows interested students additional contacts with professionals and opportunities for leadership. Other organizations in the college and University provide further opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Apparel and Textiles Research

Recent research of benefit to North Dakota and the region includes adolescent issues related to dress and behavior, bison wool as a textile product, and historic clothing as evidence of the social history of the Upper Great Plains. Studies in fashion awareness, country of origin as a criterion for apparel selection and rural economic development provide needed information for the region. A computer-based cataloging system for historic apparel and material culture is available at NDSU for the growing historic clothing/textiles collection. A special focus of the collection includes items from the Germans from Russia ethnic group. Linkages with culturally diverse populations through exchanges of apparel and textiles information has been a recent theme of research.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are designated for students majoring in the department; additional scholarships are available to all college majors. For further information on scholarships, contact the Director of Student Services and Development.

Transfer Students

A suggested curriculum is provided; other combinations are possible. Students who plan to transfer to NDSU should contact the Department of Apparel, Design, Facility and Hospitality Management for guidance in selecting courses before or during the first year.

Contact Information

Director of Student Services and Advancement
College of Human Development and Education

North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 255D
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-7071
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email:Nancy.Gress@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/hde

or

Department of Apparel, Design, Facility and Hospitality Management
College of Human Development and Education
North Dakota State University
Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall 178
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8604 or 231-7351
Fax: (701) 231-7174
Email: Holly.Bastow-Shoop@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/adfhm

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
124 Ceres Hall
Fargo, ND 58105

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/prospective/students/

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