What you will study
Fashion merchandising and textile courses help undergraduate students in UCM’s Fashion
program qualify to earn a competitive apparel merchandising salary. Our one-of-a-kind
program curriculum emphasizes the emerging value and importance of sustainability
in fashion. Our program courses also focus on innovative industry technology and field-based
skills necessary to be successful in apparel merchandising jobs. You’ll learn how
to use digital tools for trend forecasting, product development, store planning, visual
merchandising and branding.
Textile courses you may take to earn your Apparel and Merchandising Certificate from
UCM’s Fashion program include:
- Apparel Quality Analysis and Product Development
- Fashion Buying
- Visual Merchandising and Promotion
- Sustainability for Consumer Products
Excellence in Apparel and Textiles Merchandising
- The University of Central Missouri’s Fashion program, including the Apparel and Textiles
Merchandising Certificate, is accredited by the American Association of Family and
Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).
- Ranked: Best Value College for Fashion Merchandising (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in apparel and textiles merchandising
What is apparel merchandising preparing you for in your career? Find out in our hands-on
Fashion program, which takes you beyond textbooks and includes real-world learning
opportunities unique to the University of Central Missouri.
- Professional guest speakers: Hear from industry experts in a variety of apparel merchandising jobs representing
different industry perspectives.
- Dedicated sewing machines: Access your own machine and master sergers with capabilities in overlock, vinyl cutting
and embroidery.
- Latest technology: Learn sublimation and 3D printing for advanced, high-tech ways to get more creative
with your designs. Employ WGSN for trend forecasting and fashion industry information
— the same digital tool Adidas, Levi and Coach use. Our textile courses also provide
opportunities for computer lab time, so you can master programs you’ll need to use
in apparel merchandising jobs, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Chief Architect.
- Digital portfolio: Develop your own website that showcases your talents for prospective employers.
- Central location: Ideally situated just 45 minutes from Kansas City, the University of Central Missouri’s
location means you can participate in exclusive fashion industry experiences, such
as KC Fashion Week. You’ll also have access to internships that may lead to apparel
merchandising jobs in this blossoming fashion hub.
What can you do with an undergraduate certificate in Apparel and Textiles Merchandising
from UCM?
UCM’s undergraduate Fashion program focuses on helping students learn first-hand the
answer to the question, what is apparel merchandising in the real world? Our approach
ensures you graduate with knowledge about the latest fashion industry trends and technology.
UCM’s Fashion program and Career and Life Design Center advisors are readily available
to talk with you about the best apparel merchandising jobs for your interests and
skills. We want you to succeed and feel supported in every step of your Fashion program
journey, from your first fashion and textile courses to understanding what apparel
merchandising salary to expect in your first job.
The University of Central Missouri boasts a 95% job placement rate for Fashion program
graduates within six months. Examples of companies where alumni work include Walmart,
Target, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Dillard’s and Nordstrom. Students have also created
or founded their own businesses, such as Ivory and Lace and The Babe Standard.
What is apparel merchandising as a career?
Upon earning your undergraduate certificate from UCM’s Fashion program, so many apparel
merchandising jobs await. Find out where the job opportunities are, how your skills
align with potential careers and what an apparel merchandising salary looks like using
our interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Apparel and Textiles Merchandising Certificate
The University of Central Missouri’s undergraduate certificate from the Fashion program
provides key equipment, supplies and technology to students while keeping tuition
and fees affordable. Explore the many ways you can also finance your college education at UCM.
In our Fashion program, you may also qualify for undergraduate student scholarships,
including:
- Jenkins Scholarship
- MAGIC Trade Show Scholarship
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Our Faculty
Experienced advisors with leading research and publications in fashion
The team teaching UCM’s fashion and textile courses have worked in the fashion industry
in areas such as product development, buying, management, visual merchandising and
marketing. With advanced degrees in Education and Fashion Merchandising and Design,
our faculty serve as mentors for undergraduate students in the Fashion program. They’ll
help guide you toward the right apparel merchandising job for you.
Meet Our Professors
Meet Cyndi S.
Apparel and Textiles Undergraduate Certificate ’22
Cyndi showed off her latest designs at Kansas City Fashion Week 2021. Her collection
paid tribute to the victims of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921. She is now the CEO of sustainable
fashion company De’calage.
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