The Fashion Merchandising program provides course emphasis in clothing and human behavior, apparel production and analysis, textiles and quality control, apparel distribution, merchandising and promotion, global diversity, historic textiles and apparel, color and aesthetics, and apparel construction. Communications, problem solving, group project organization, professional presentation, and analytical and critical thinking skills are incorporated in course content. The Eberly College of Business and Information Technology complements this major by providing study in one of three options: business administration, marketing, and small business management. A cooperative program between IUP and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City allows students to study either Fashion or Accessories Design.
Graduates of this program are being prepared for entry-level positions such as a manufacturer’s sales representative, production assistant, ready-to-wear quality control analyst, textile testing laboratory technician, management trainee leading to position of store manager, executive/merchandising trainee leading toward position of buyer/merchandise manager, museum curator assistant, personal color consultant, fashion entrepreneur, and personalized shopping specialist for an upscale retail firm.