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Design, Merchandising and Textiles

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

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Student working on an outfit on a mannequin

Pursue your dream career with UW’s design, merchandising and textiles major

The worlds of fashion, interior design and retail are fast-paced, exciting places to be. The University of Wyoming has crafted a unique program to help you find your place in these exciting fields.

As part of the design, merchandising, and textiles major, students choose a specific focus — apparel design and product development, interior design or merchandising. Within their focus, students take unique courses and gain real-world experience.

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Program Details

Tuition and Fees

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Program Requirements

Curriculum & Courses

Department

College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

About the Design, Merchandising and Textiles Degree Program

All design, merchandising and textiles students take a variety of core courses to expose them to all sides of the design and textiles industries. Our students take charge of organizing the annual Kaleidoscope fashion show, managing various aspects like marketing, designer liaisons, facilities and music. They also actively engage in external competitions and exhibitions, enriching their educational experience beyond the campus boundaries.

Students additionally have the opportunity to choose between three concentrations: apparel design and product development, interior design and merchandising. Each focus provides students with hands-on learning experiences so they graduate ready to take on their dream careers.

Professor teaching interior design class

Every student gets to customize their degree by choosing one of the following concentrations:

  • Apparel Design and Product Development: In this concentration, students learn the technical and creative skills needed to develop apparel from an early concept to the finished product.
  • Merchandising: Students who choose this concentration learn the ins and outs of fashion and interior design business principles — including retailing, sourcing and marketing.
  • Interior Design: This concentration prepares students to creatively, effectively and sustainably solve design problems in residential and commercial interior design.
Student dying article of clothing

All design, merchandising and textiles majors are required to complete a three-credit-hour internship, international study tour or study abroad program.

A minor in entrepreneurship or professional and technical selling is also recommended for the students in this major.

Student pinning flower to outfit on a mannequin

 

What Can You Do With a Design, Merchandising and Textiles Degree?

Our graduates go on to pursue exciting careers in the worlds of merchandising, marketing, design and textiles.

Design, Merchandising and Textiles Careers

Here are some of the job titles our grads currently hold:

  • Director of Marketing
  • Graphic Designer
  • Visual Merchandising Manager
  • Director of Sales and Merchandising
  • Sample Process Manager
  • Director of Global Apparel Product Management and Merchandising

In addition to pursuing careers after graduation, some students receive additional education from prestigious graduate programs. Recent graduates have gone on to study at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.  

 

 

Student working on an outfit on a mannequin

Notable Alumni Employers:

  • Forever 21
  • Brooks Running Company
  • Denver Biscuit Company
  • Lululemon
  • Ralph Lauren
  • Lightsource Creative
  • Born Footwear
  • University of Wyoming
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Design, Merchandising and Textiles Highlights

The design, merchandising and textiles major is a customizable program that allows students to pursue their creative interests and ideal career path. In this program, every student has access to experiential learning opportunities, active student organizations and so much more. If you join this program, here are a few things you can expect:

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

At the University of Wyoming, we believe hands-on experience is crucial to every student’s education. That’s why all design, merchandising and textiles students are required to complete an internship, study abroad or study tour experience. All of these opportunities expand students’ worldviews while exposing them to relevant industries, both at home and abroad.

All design, merchandising and textiles students also have the opportunity to plan the annualKaleidoscope fashion show. Students may plan the marketing and promotions, designer liaisons, facilities planning or the music and sound for the show.

In addition to getting involved in UW’s programs, our students regularly participate in external interior design competitions, merchandising competitions and apparel design exhibitions.

Special Facilities

As part of the design, merchandising and textiles program you’ll have access to the following facilities and equipment:

  • A sewing lab with various sewing machines and sergers.
  • A textile science lab with a variety of textile testing equipment.
  • An apparel technology lab with a 3D body scanner, industrial sewing and embroidery machines and a digital textile printer.
  • A student computer lab featuring Adobe Creative Cloud, interior design software such as AutoCad, 3ds Max, Revit and Optitex pattern-making software.

Outstanding Faculty

The design, merchandising and textiles program is led by a team of experienced and dedicated faculty, including:

  • Erin Irick — Associate Professor and program coordinator, whose research areas include sustainable apparel design processes, slow fashion and fabric surface design
  • Treva Sprout Ahrenholtz — Lecturer and licensed interior designer
  • Jennifer Harmon — Associate Professor whose research areas include textile science and sustainability and dress and behavior

Student Organizations

The University of Wyoming is home to many thriving student-led organizations. The design, merchandising and textiles program currently houses two organizations, including:

The Fashion Club

The Interior Design Club

Students are also eligible to join Phi Upsilon Omicron, the honor society for the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. 

 

I will never get over the life-long relationships I've made with these people in my major as well as the professors. I feel like I belong in this tight-knit group of amazing and successful women. Treva has been the most amazing professor I have ever had and I will be so grateful for her for the rest of my life. Some of my favorite experiences include getting the Interior Design club up and running, spending late nights in the computer lab and getting together for drinks or dinner with the girls in design! I'll never forget the amazing moments I've had that truly shaped my college experience for the better.

- 2023 Graduate

Related Programs

Interested in a design, merchandising and textiles degree? These programs may also be of interest to you:

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Family and Consumer Sciences

Department 3354, 1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-4145

Email: fam-consci@uwyo.edu