News
Sewing Proficiency Exam Application
Congratulations Award Winning CARS Faculty
Salvation Army Design Challenge
Study Trips
NEW - Fall 2009 Seattle Study Trip
ECOuture - Spring 2009 Threads Fashion Show
Spring 2009 Las Vegas Study Trip
Summer 2008 Thailand Study Tour
CARS Alumni Network --(by clicking this link you will leave UNCG's website)
Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
About the Department
The Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CARS) is one of five departments in the School of Human Environmental Sciences (HES): Interior Architecture, Human Development and Family Studies, Nutrition, Social Work, and Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies.
We believe that the route to excellence is to focus the course of study under the close supervision of qualified faculty. Faculty are involved in teaching, research, and service where they spend a significant amount of time advising and mentoring students. Faculty serve related professional organizations in leadership capacities and contribute their expertise on editorial boards of professional journals.
The Department offers Bachelor of Science (BS), Master of Science (MS), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
Three undergraduate concentrations are offered:
- Apparel Product Design – prepares students for careers in apparel and textile products design and production.
- Retailing and Consumer Studies – prepares students for careers in apparel marketing, distribution, and retailing.
- Global Apparel and Related Industry Studies - prepares students for apparel and related industry careers in the global arena.
Practical learning experiences complement academic programs. The student internship program prepares students for the real world and provides the industry with well-trained employees. Students begin preparation for their internship during their junior year with a professional development course. This course helps them to become aware of current trends and developments in the industry as well as prepare professionally.
The Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies Department was one of the first [departments] of its kind to establish an Industry Advisory Board which provides a link between the Department and the industries that will employ our graduates. Made up of 20 members who represent major companies in the Southeast, the Board provides advice relative to curricular offerings, technological developments, job placement and industry trends.
The Department is home to an Historic Costume Collection with garments and artifacts dating from 1776-2003.
In 2003, the Department's Apparel Product Design concentration met the educational competencies and laboratory standards for approval by the American Apparel and Footwear Association. One of only 16 programs nationally recognized by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), CARS students receive AAFA scholarships.
Financial support through various Scholarships is available to both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the CARS program. In addition to scholarships offered by the CARS department, students may compete for scholarships from the School of Human Environmental Sciences, the Young Menswear Association and the Graduate School. Fellowships and assistantships are also awarded annually to graduate students.