Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies, Ph.D.

For those who imagine themselves as university professors sharing their passion for Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CARS) with future students, a PhD in the field is an outstanding course of study to pursue.

Program Distinctions

• An established and highly-regarded program, the CARS PhD is one of the oldest on the UNC Greensboro campus. 
• By delving deep into exciting topics ranging from marketing to consumer behavior, students will gain an expert’s understanding of the industry and how to apply that knowledge for success in the field. 
• Home to a diverse student body — at least 50% of our program’s PhD students are international — we offer a wide variety of perspectives that are reflected in engaging conversations inside and outside the classroom.

The Student Experience

Our PhD program is innovative in its emphasis on preparing doctoral students to publish and evaluate research on a diverse array of topics. Built on a rigorous series of core courses in consumer, apparel, and retail studies, our curriculum includes both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. As you develop your research skills, you will also engage in a mentored teaching experience — both with guidance from faculty who are top scholars in the field.

After Graduation

Students from our program who want to get an academic job can — and do. Our PhD program has a 100% placement rate. Graduates go on to secure tenure-track jobs at colleges and universities throughout the U.S. and abroad at schools like Iowa State University, Texas Tech University, Louisiana State University, and many others.