º£½ÇÍø these programs
Clothing choices are shaped by social, ethical, cultural, economic, and political influences. SPU’s majors in Apparel Design (BA) and Apparel Merchandising (BA), along with the minor in Apparel Design and Merchandising, provide a strong interdisciplinary foundation, integrating fashion marketing, textile training, business, psychology, the arts, and sustainable design principles.
When you choose one of these comprehensive fashion programs, you’ll gain critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and industry expertise — highly valued skills in apparel design, merchandising, and textile careers.
Benefits
Located just minutes from downtown º£½ÇÍø, where many apparel companies are headquartered (such as Nordstrom Product Group, REI, Eddie Bauer, Union Bay, Amazon Fashion, Tommy Bahama, Filson, Outdoor Resources, and Zulily), SPU’s Apparel Design and Merchandising program has strong connections with the apparel industry.
As the only comprehensive apparel design and merchandising program at a Christian university in the Pacific Northwest, we are committed to providing an education founded on biblical principles. We aim to grow the whole person through many opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom:
- Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) dual-degree program
- Design exhibition
- Apparel design and merchandising internships
- Network opportunities with professionals in the apparel industry
- Student fashion group
- Creative apparel design and merchandising education and application
- Critical and creative problem-solving and application in apparel design, production, and merchandising
- Diversity of classroom experiences
- Global perspective of apparel design, production, and merchandising
- Clear understanding of ethical decision making, social responsibility, and sustainability
- Strong communication skills and professional development
Career preparation
Apparel Design and Merchandising program graduates are prepared for a wide range of careers. Their knowledge and understanding of the total apparel/textile/retail complex, along with their unique insights into the consumer-driven market, make º£½ÇÍø students highly marketable. In addition, the global perspective of the curriculum opens many national and international career opportunities. Students in all options may increase their marketability by pursuing double majors of both specializations and minors in other areas.
Career options
Apparel Merchandising
- Buyer/ Merchandiser
- Merchandise Planner/Allocator
- Sourcing Specialist
- Brand Manager
- Fashion Journalist/Stylist
Apparel Design
- Apparel and Accessory Designer
- Technical Designer
- Apparel Product Developer
- Creative Art Director
- Apparel/Textiles Quality
- Control Manager
Career opportunities
The broad academic base provided by this program allows you and other graduates to be flexible in career choices, allowing for greater opportunities in career changes or to continue educational pursuits. A considerable overlap among jobs in the industry and a broad educational base make it easier to transform career positions as opportunities and interests arise. For example, some graduates have worked as buyers for several years, then accepted positions as designers or in product development.
The fashion industry is a dynamic field, fast paced, global in scope, and complex. It is exciting working in a profession that deals with º£½ÇÍø’s physical and aesthetic clothing needs and is influenced by social, cultural, political, and economic developments. You are trained to succeed in a wide variety of career opportunities.
Entering the Apparel Design or Apparel Merchandising Major or Minor
You may enter the Apparel Design major during your first quarter at SPU. Entrance after your first quarter requires only good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA). Consult the
for complete information on how and when to enter and what you must do to complete the program.