Apparel and Merchandising Emphases

Major areas of emphasis for graduate study and research in apparel and merchandising (AM) include:
  • Apparel Design and Production
  • Historic Costume and Textiles
  • Merchandising
  • Social-Psychological and Cultural Aspects of Dress and Appearance
  • Textile Science
Although required background courses for students pursuing a master's degree in AM will vary according to the area of study selected, all AM students must have completed coursework in the following areas: textiles (e.g., DM 120) and fashion industries (AM 101). Additional requirements for the following areas of interest include
  • Apparel Design and Production: basic apparel production with lab (e.g., AM 241), basic apparel design (e.g., AM 143, AM 240)
  • Historic Costume and Textiles: historic costume (e.g., AM 363) or historic textiles (e.g., AM 460)
  • Merchandising: accounting, statistics, marketing, merchandising (e.g., AM 270)
  • Social Psychological and Cultural Aspects of Dress and Appearance: clothing and human behavior (e.g., AMCC 250)
  • Textile Science: chemistry with lab (e.g., CCC 103, CCC 104)


The apparel and merchandising program at Colorado State University has been recognized by The American Textile Manufacturers Institute as a Program of Excellence for its innovative curriculum. This curriculum and the support of faculty with expertise and experience in diverse areas afford graduate students in apparel and merchandising the opportunity to develop individualized programs of study that will assist them in meeting both professional and personal goals. Apparel and Merchandising graduate students have examined diverse topics for their thesis research, including

  • Quantifying the Effect of Textiles on Thermal Regulations
  • Japanese Aesthetics: Wabi-Sabi As Contemporary Women's Evening wear
  • The Effect of Teen Magazines on the Socialization, Identity, and Self-Esteem of African-American Teenage Girls
  • Apparel Consumption by White, Black, Asian-American, and Hispanic Women in Professional Occupations
  • Market Segmentation of Petite Catalog Shoppers: Satisfaction and Shopping Behaviors
  • Computer-Aided Design in Apparel Design and Production