Undergraduate Bulletin > Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies

Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies

Effective July 1, 2011, the Department of Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies (CRS) has joined the Bryan School of Business and Economics (BSBE). The CRS curriculum will be enforced as it was prior to joining the BSBE until the curriculum is reviewed to determine the impact of this change in the organizational structure; therefore, for the 2011–12 academic year, Bryan School-wide course requirements will not apply to students pursuing the CARS major, concentrations, or minor.

The Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies Department offers three major concentrations: Apparel Product Design, Global Apparel and Related Industries, and Retailing and Consumer Studies. These concentrations prepare students for positions with companies that focus on the process of concept to consumer for apparel and consumer-related products. Graduates may take positions in product design, product development, fashion trend forecasting and analysis, quality control, sourcing, merchandising, buying, and retail management.

During the first two years of study, students will complete the majority of their general education requirements and begin introductory consumer, apparel, and retailing courses. Because many students change majors early in their academic careers, the majority of consumer, apparel, and retailing courses are offered during the junior and senior years.

An apparel product construction proficiency exam must be passed to progress in the concentration. An alternative to taking the proficiency exam, which focuses on sewing and apparel construction skills, is to enroll in a basic sewing course at another institution. Note: All basic sewing courses must be approved by an APD faculty member. Students who choose to enroll in a basic sewing course can take the course for at least two (2) semester hours credit, earn a grade of C (2.0) or better, and transfer the credit to UNCG as a free elective. Students must provide to the University Registrar an official transcript that documents the grade received in the course. If a student takes a noncredit course in basic sewing, he or she must still take the APD apparel product construction (sewing) proficiency exam. All noncredit courses build construction skills and cannot be transferred for credit.

A grade of C (2.0) or better must be earned in all courses in the major.

International exposure is built into the curriculum. Study of foreign languages is encouraged and international study experiences are possible. All majors take supporting courses in the Bryan School of Business and Economics. All students in the Retailing and Consumer Studies concentration automatically earn a business minor by fulfilling their major and concentration requirements.

Internship experiences are required of all CARS students through a structured two-course sequence that includes a professional development class that prepares them both to find internships and to achieve successful internship experiences. The CARS Internship Program Coordinator structures and supervises internships to ensure quality experiences. Because of the proximity to North Carolina's strong apparel and retailing industries, the majority of students have internships within the state; however, the long-standing relationships between CARS and the apparel, fashion, and retailing industries link students to opportunities for out-of-state internships in such exciting places as New York City, Atlanta, and the West Coast.