The NDSU Office of Distance and Continuing Education and the Department of Apparel, Design and Hospitality Management recently developed a 16-credit, online apparel, retail merchandising and design undergraduate certificate. The new program is accepting students for fall semester.
The program is designed to provide a distinct knowledge base and specific skill set for junior high and high school teachers who teach or would like to teach apparel, design, garment construction, retail merchandising and textiles.
Students in the program will obtain these skills sets:
- Construct apparel as required for teaching construction at the secondary level.
- Identify fashion merchandising practices within a store setting.
- Create a trend forecast for a specified apparel retailer or brand.
- Identify fibers, textiles, their characteristics, production processes and source appropriate fabrications for apparel products.
- Summarize factors that contribute to the development of cultural dress.
- Assess the impact of consumerism on global cultures.
- Summarize the development of dress norms, recognize violations and compare sanctions, according to societal dress standards.
- Analyze consumer trends and market environments as contributors to experiential retailing.
- Examine product and service transformations in response to total consumer experience.
While this program is geared toward junior high and high school family and consumer science teachers, it may also be a useful certificate for individuals who work in or own retail shops or have a general interest in fashion.
Undergraduate certificate programs are highly targeted learning opportunities for individuals who either already have a bachelor’s degree but would like to enhance their skills in an area or for individuals who do not have a degree but would like to obtain a credential in their area of interest. This program marks the first online undergraduate certificate offered through NDSU Distance and Continuing Education.
To learn more about the program, visit http://www.ndsu.edu/dce/degrees/undergraduate/cert_apparel_design or call 701-231-7015.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.