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Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
Requirements for the Master of Science in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
The Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Science degree with both a thesis and a non-thesis option. The thesis option requires a minimum of 30 hours with a minimum of 15 hours in 600- or 700-level courses. The non-thesis option requires 36-39 hours with at least 18 hours in 600- or 700-level courses.
THESIS OPTION (MINIMUM 30 HOURS)
The thesis option is focused on research in consumer, apparel, and retailing issues. It is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue careers in academics and business.
Required Core Courses (10 hours)
RCS 562 Behavior of Softlines Consumers (3)
CRS 563 Analysis of Apparel and Related Industries (3)
CRS 630 Economic Dynamics of the Retail Complex (3)
CRS 682 Graduate Seminar (1)
Required Research Techniques (9-11 hours)
CRS 605 Research Methodology in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (3)
and one of the following options:
STA 571, 571L Statistical Methods for Research I (4)
STA 572, 572L Statistical Methods for Research II (4)
or
ERM 680 Intermediate Statistical Methods in Education (3)
ERM 681 Design and Analysis of Education Experiments (3)
or
MBA 600 Business Statistics (1.5)
MBA 610 Advanced Business Statistics (1.5)
ERM 681 Design and Analysis of Educational Experiments (3)
Electives (6 hours)
The student will select 6 hours, as approved by the student’s chair in consultation with the committee, from available CRS 600- and 700-level courses.
Thesis (6 hours)
CRS 699 Thesis (6)
Thesis Advisory Committee
The student will select a graduate advisor and two other graduate faculty members to serve as a Thesis Advisory Committee. The graduate advisor must be from the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies. The committee must be chosen and a program of study approved no later than the second semester enrolled in graduate courses.
NON-THESIS OPTION (36-39 HOURS)
The non-thesis option prepares students for management, consultant, market analysis, and professional positions in the consumer, apparel, and retail industries. This option allows the student considerable flexibility to pursue areas of interest. An advisory committee must be chosen and a program of study approved no later than the second semester enrolled in graduate courses.
Required Core Courses (13 hours)
RCS 562 Behavior of Softlines Consumers (3)
CRS 563 Analysis of Apparel and Related Industries (3)
CRS 630 Economic Dynamics of the Retail Complex (3)
CRS 632 Supervised Industry Practicum (3)
CRS 682 Graduate Seminar (1)
Required Research Techniques (9-11 hours)
CRS 605 Research Methodology in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (3)
and one of the following options:
STA 571, 571L Statistical Methods for Research I (4)
STA 572, 572L Statistical Methods for Research II (4)
or
ERM 680 Intermediate Statistical Methods in Education (3)
ERM 681 Design and Analysis of Education Experiments (3)
or
MBA 600 Business Statistics (1.5)
MBA 610 Advanced Business Statistics (1.5)
ERM 681 Design and Analysis of Educational Experiments (3)
Electives (12-14 hours)
The student will select 12-14 hours, as approved by the student’s chair in consultation with the advisory committee, depending upon whether 11 or 9 research techniques hours were taken.
Culminating Experience (0-3 hours)
The culminating experience will consist of:
1. A written comprehensive examination or
2. A comprehensive project/paper, or a capstone, experiential, integrative course for 3 credit hours.
Consult the Director of Graduate Study for dates of the written comprehensive examination. For the comprehensive project/paper, the preferred course is either CRS 683, 684, or 685.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
The Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies offers a graduate program of study leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree requiring a minimum of 58 hours (minimum of 90 hours beyond the B.S.). At least 30 hours must be in 600- or 700-level courses.
Required Core Courses (19 hours)
CRS 700 Seminar in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (1)
CRS 701 Literature and Thought in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (3)
CRS 712 Theory Development in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (3)
CRS 713 Qualitative Methodology in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (3)
CRS 714 Methodology and Modeling in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (3)
CRS 720 Social Psychology of Consumption (3)
CRS 721 Consumer Behavior in Apparel and Retailing (3)
Research Techniques (9 hours)
STA 661 Advanced Statistics in Behavioral Science Research I (3)
STA 662 Advanced Statistics in Behavioral Science Research II (3)
STA 671 Multivariate Analysis (3) or ERM 682 Multivariate Analysis in Education (3)
Cognate Area (9 hours)
In consultation with the student’s chair and Advisory/Dissertation committee, the student will identify a supporting area that will enrich and expand his or her research interest. The student will take a minimum of 9 hours within this area.
Electives (3 hours)
The student will select 3 hours, as approved by the student’s chair in consultation with the Advisory/Dissertation committee, from available CRS 600- and 700-level courses.
Research and Dissertation (15 hours)
CRS 790 Independent Doctoral Research (3)
CRS 799 Dissertation Problem (12)
Teaching (3 hours)
CRS 765 College Teaching Practicum in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (3)
Preliminary and Final Oral Examination
Advisory/Dissertation Committee
The student should consult the Advisory/Dissertation Committee section of The Graduate School Bulletin. The graduate advisor must be from the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies and one member must be from outside the CARS Department. The committee must be chosen no later than upon the completion of the first 18 semester hours.