Internships in museums, historical societies, and textile conservation labs are integral to this specialization. The department's Historic Textiles And Costume Collection of some 16,000 items, one of the best university collections in the country, is an outstanding resource for students. Textile science offers opportunities to study dyeing and finishing, color science, environmental issues, and quality control. Students use textile science laboratory facilities for coursework and research. Possibilities exist for cooperation with Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Fashion merchandising offers advanced study in retailing and consumer behavior.
Graduate coursework in Management and Marketing supports this option. The Graduate Record Examination and a bachelor's degree with adequate preparation for the proposed area of study are required. The undergraduate degree may be in textiles and clothing, or in a related field. Students with a degree from a related area may need to make up deficiencies without graduate credit. Financial Aid Graduate assistantships offer valuable experience in college-level teaching and research.