Apparel Merchandising and Textiles Bachelor Degree

Apparel Merchandising and Textiles (AMTX)

The Apparel Merchandising and Textiles program provides a basic foundation for entry-level positions in manufacturing, retailing, and related industries, both domestically and globally. The program prepares students for challenging and promising careers as store managers, designers, buyers, product developers, textile scientists, fashion stylists, visual merchandisers, fashion coordinators, merchandise managers, and entrepreneurs, among numerous others. The curriculum also prepares students for graduate study in a merchandising and textiles program.

In addition to course work, students are encouraged to enhance their leadership skills by joining one of the organizations available to students in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. The student organization specifically for AMTX majors is Designers of Tomorrow (DoT). Numerous experiential learning opportunities are offered. These include field trips and study tours. Annually, students have the opportunity to participate in Career Days in New Orleans and Dallas, which are sponsored by the Fashion Group International. In addition, the AMTX program sponsors an annual extravaganza in which students showcase their own original designs.

All students in the major are required to complete a senior-level Internship. Two options are available: an Internal Internship in Southern Niche, the student-run, retail store-laboratory; or an External Internship in which the students work a minimum of 150 hours in a manufacturing or retail setting. The Internship enhances academic course work while providing "real world" experiences. In addition to Southern Niche, graduates have interned at companies such as Americas Mart in Atlanta, David's Bridal, Dillard's, Express Women's, Gap, Kenneth Cole, and Stein Mart.

The College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences embraces a mission consistent with the University's tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service.

The academic program prepares students for professional careers in food, fiber, natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and agricultural sciences using innovative strategies, up-to-date technologies, and current information. The program provides students with the fundamentals underlying their chosen disciplines, practical application and solutions to discipline-related problems, and opportunities to transfer knowledge to others in a variety of formal and informal settings.

The research program addresses problems that hold promise for enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability while protecting the environment. This research is valuable for improving the quality of life and well-being of the people of Louisiana and society in general.