Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology, M.S.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30-36 hours

This program is designed to prepare graduates for positions in apparel and textile product design and development, CAD technology, industry research and development, as well as for careers in higher education and government. Creative solutions, cutting edge technology and real world applications are emphasized at all instructional levels.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 3.0 (in the last 60 hours undergraduate course work)

Entrance Exam: N/A

Application Deadline: March 1 (Fall Admission)

August 1 (Spring Admission)

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Note: Complete application materials must be received by the date indicated. Applicants interested in being considered for a graduate assistantship should apply for admission by the deadline. Late applications may not be considered for a graduate assistantship.

Students applying for the M.S. degree should have a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate coursework in fashion merchandising and design or closely related area.

Students accepted for the M.S. program who lack supporting course work generally are required to make up these deficiencies by taking undergraduate course work in fashion merchandising and design. Equivalent work experience in the field may be counted as supporting coursework toward minimum admission requirements.

Admission to the graduate program in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology includes meeting the following criteria:

1. Submission of the CMU application form for admission to the Graduate School, found at https://apply.cmich.edu/.
2. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
3. Three letters of recommendation, including two from faculty. If it is not possible to obtain faculty references, references should be from professionals who can address your capacity to succeed as a graduate student.
4. One official transcript (with institution's seal) sent directly from each institution attended.
5. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work.
6. A 2-4 page, typed, double-spaced essay that (Part I) describes how previous experiences and training have prepared and led the applicant to pursue a Master of Science degree in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology (APDMT) and (Part II) identifies likely professional goals and how graduate training can help accomplish these goals.
7. Non-refundable application fee.

Program Requirements

Foundational Course (3 hours)

FMD 604

Scholarship in Textiles and Clothing

3(3-0)

Plan Options

Note: In order to be eligible to apply for graduate assistantships, students must choose Plan A option.

Select from the following options:

Plan A - Thesis/Creative Scholarship (27 hours)

• 6 hours of graduate courses related to Research Methods and/or Statistics.
• 12 hours of FMD graduate level courses
• 3 hours of supporting courses outside FMD
• Select one of the following for 6 hours:

FMD 796	Creative Scholarship	1-6(Spec)
FMD 798	Thesis	1-6(Spec)

Plan B - Internship (33 hours)

• 15 hours of FMD graduate level courses
• 12 hours of supporting courses outside of FMD
• 6 hours of the following:

FMD 635

Advanced Internship in Textiles & Apparel

1-6(Spec)

Plan C - Course Work (33 hours)

• 18 hours of FMD graduate level courses
• 15 hours of supporting courses outside FMD

Plus written and oral examination over course work administered by the student’s advisor and committee members.

The comprehensive exam will be designed to measure outcomes related to the student's program rather than outcomes which are limited to particular courses. The component, format and time set for the comprehensive examination will be determined by the major advisor in consultation with other faculty on the student’s committee. The exam may require the student to answer a detailed question, write a research proposal on a particular topic, describe a process for developing a product, complete a case analysis, provide a critical review of a manuscript, or solve a particular problem. Students may use their course materials and other sources of information in answering the exam question.

The comprehensive examination will be administered during the fall (First full week of November) or spring semester (First full week of April) in which the student plans to complete the courses required on their program of study. Students are responsible for notifying their advisor during the first week of their final semester indicating their intent to take the comprehensive written examination that semester.

The faculty comprising the student's supervisory committee will have two weeks to review the exam responses. The student will be notified of the outcome shortly thereafter. An oral defense of the written exam may be scheduled if deemed necessary by the major professor or committee members. Plagiarism of any kind or other violations of academic integrity will result in failure of the exam and possible dismissal from the program. Students who do not receive a passing grade will retake the written exam the next semester.

Total: 30-36 semester hours

Accelerated Master of Science in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology

Advanced undergraduate students majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Design who would like to pursue advanced studies in design, merchandising, product development, and technology relating to the textiles and apparel industry complex may consider an option whereby they can complete their bachelor's degree and a Master of Science in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology in five years. The program requirements on the Accelerated Master's Degree Program are identical to those of the Master of Science in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology, but allow the student to apply 12 credit hours of graduate coursework toward both their bachelor's degree and their Master of Science in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology.

Admission Requirements:

• Be within 30 credit hours of graduation
• Have completed 15 credit hours in Fashion Merchandising and Design
• Have an overall GPA of 3.3, or a 3.3 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework
• Complete all university requirements
• Have a signed Fashion Merchandising and Design major on a B.S., B.A. or B.A.A. degree

Program of Study

Students must be fully admitted to the accelerated program prior to beginning classes that are expected to be counted towards both degrees. During their first semester of enrollment, students may take one 600-level course and one 500-level course to be counted towards both degrees. During the second semester of enrollment, students may take one 600-level course and one 500-level course OR two 600-level courses to be counted towards both degrees. Students may not take more than 6 hours per semester for dual credit.

Application Process:

Undergraduate students seeking admission to the Accelerated Masters Degree Program must submit the application for admission to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies no later than March 15 of the year prior to graduation from their undergraduate program. This application should be accompanied by the student’s transcripts and the applicant must also present a 2-4 page, typed, double-spaced essay that (Part I) describes how previous experiences and training have prepared and led the applicant to pursue a Master of Science degree in Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology (APDMT) and (Part II) identifies likely professional goals and how graduate training can help accomplish these goals. This essay replaces the written statement requested as part of the application to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Three (3) letters of recommendation are also required, including two letters from faculty members. The third letter may be from another faculty member or from a professional who can address the student's capacity to succeed as a graduate student.

Retention Standards

Upon admittance into the Accelerated Masters Degree Program (AMDP), students have the responsibility of continuing the completion of all course requirements for the university program and for their majors and minors on their bachelor's degree. Upon matriculation into the AMDP, an overall GPA of at least 3.0 is required throughout the graduate curriculum.

Sample Dual-Degree Curriculum (Plan A Thesis Option)

Year Four (Fall)

FMD 604	Scholarship in Textiles and Clothing	3(3-0)
	*One 500-level required on the APDMT program	3
	Undergraduate Courses	9

FMD 604: may be counted on the undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Year Four (Spring)

	*Two 500-level courses required on the APDMT program	6
	OR
	*One 500-level required on the APDMT program and one 600-level required on the APDMT program	6
	Undergraduate Courses	9

Year Five (Fall)

	One 600-level required on the APDMT program	3
	Graduate course in Research Methods	3
FMD 798	Thesis	1-6(Spec)

Year Five (Spring)

	Graduate Course in Statistics	3
	One Graduate Elective	3
FMD 798	Thesis	1-6(Spec)

*Courses that may be counted on the undergraduate and graduate degrees.