Current News and Events
Thailand Study Tour 2008 (pdf)
Spring 2008 Southeastern Consortium
- Visiting Scholar Lecture (pdf)
- Bio (pdf)
Spring 2008 Advising Day
- Advising for Fall 2008
- Proposed Plan of Study
New York Fashion Trip 2008
- Photo Gallery
Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies
Undergraduate Program
The Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies undergraduate program offers two concentrations for majors and minors: Apparel Products Design and Retailing and Consumer Studies. These concentrations prepare students for positions with companies that focus on product development, retailing, or marketing strategies in the soft goods chain and textile-related industries.
During the first 2 years of study, students complete the majority of their general education requirements (GEC) and begin introductory consumer, apparel, and retail studies. Because many students frequently change majors early in their academic careers, the majority of CRS courses are offered during the junior and senior years, so students begin in-depth study in their junior year. Both apparel product and retailing and consumer studies students take supporting course work in the Bryan School of Business and Economics. Retailing and consumer studies students complete sufficient courses (21 hours) to complete a minor in Business.
Internship experiences are completed in a student's junior or senior year. Students prepare for this opportunity by completing a pre-internship class (CRS 331). Internships are structured and supervised to ensure that students have a quality experience. Because of the proximity to North Carolina's textile and apparel industry, many students remain in North Carolina; however, students complete internships in major metropolitan cities across the US and abroad.
International exposure is built into the total curriculum beginning in the freshman year with a non-western course, CRS 121, "Culture, Human Behavior and Clothing" and continues throughout the program. Study of foreign languages and international study experiences are encouraged.
CARS Undergraduates at the 2006 Pre-Internship Portfolio Review