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Florida State University Graduate Bulletin 2007-2009

Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences

College of Human Sciences

Chair: Joe Nosari; Professors: Cloud, Goldsmith, Moore; Associate Professors: Fiorito, Grise, Heitmeyer, Sullivan; Assistant Professors: Black, E. Kim, S. Kim, Lee; Associate in Merchandising: McLaughlin; Assistant in Residential Science: Hattaway; Professors Emeriti: Adam, Avery, Davis, Edgeworth, Kittles, Kuehne, Warden; Eminent Scholar: Susan Watkins

Through advanced study and research, graduate programs in the Department of Textiles and Consumer Sciences contribute to meeting the needs of individuals, families, and communities for fashionable and functional apparel and textile products, profitable retail businesses, and successful residential environments.

The department offers graduate programs leading to the master of science (MS) degree with thesis and course work options in the following areas of emphasis: textiles, retail merchandising, apparel product development, creative design, global product development, and residential science. The department also participates in the doctor of philosophy (PhD) degree in human sciences with specializations in merchandising, apparel product development, and textile product performance.

Facilities for graduate study include: chemical and physical textile laboratories with a conditioning room and sensory evaluation laboratory, the Burdines Merchandising Technology Laboratory, the Lectra Computer-aided Design Laboratory, apparel assembly and design laboratory, general computer laboratories, an outstanding research and teaching collection of historic clothing dating from the 1800s, textiles dating from the 1400s, and a display gallery. The textiles collection includes the unique Carter Collection of pre-Columbian Peruvian Textiles.

The decision to accept a student for graduate study is made by the departmental graduate faculty, contingent upon meeting University and college admission requirements and is based on the quality of the applicant's credentials as compared to others in the graduate admissions pool. In addition to the application materials required by the University, the department requires three letters of recommendation and a one–two page statement of professional goals and research interests. Students who do not have previous course work in the field of study are encouraged to apply, although background courses will be required. These may be completed while in residence for the graduate degree, but do not apply toward degree credit.

Financial Aid

To allow qualified students to pursue graduate degrees, teaching and research assistantships and college and University fellowships are available on a competitive basis. Application materials should be submitted to the department by January 1st to ensure consideration for the Fall; forms are available upon request. Information concerning other types of financial aid may be obtained by contacting: Office of Financial Aid, A4474 University Center, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1046.

Master of Science Programs

Master of Science students receive professional preparation for careers in the textile, apparel, retail and housing industries. Two types of master's programs are available: thesis and non-thesis (course work only). The thesis master's degree provides a strong foundation for doctoral study.

Thesis Programs

A candidate for the master's of science (MS) thesis degree may select an emphasis in: textiles, retail merchandising, apparel product development, or residential environments.

Programs of study for the thesis master's degree require a minimum of thirty-three (33) semester hours, including six (6) semester hours of thesis, twelve (12) semester hours of foundational course work in research, theory and statistics, nine (9) semester hours in the area of emphasis, and six (6) semester hours of supporting course work from an appropriate field within or outside the department. Final approval of the program of study rests with the supervisory committee. Students without an undergraduate degree in the field will be required to take additional leveling courses.

Textiles

Graduate students in textiles focus their studies on the performance properties of textiles and the effect of these properties on product development and wear satisfaction. Research focuses on comfort and barrier performance of protective clothing fabrics, and light and laundry fastness of environmentally-improved textiles.

Retail Merchandising

The retail merchandising emphasis allows students to investigate business and consumer factors influencing the development, retail distribution, and use of consumer goods. Research may focus on planning and analysis of financial performance of small business, emerging technologies in retailing, patronage and shopping behavior, or factors influencing apparel consumption.

Apparel Product Development

Graduate students in apparel product development apply the theories and principles of design process to develop solutions for functional clothing issues. Research addresses needs assessment, prototype development, and evaluation of various types of functional apparel.

Residential Science

The emphasis in residential science addresses the effect of the housing environment on human health and well being and the application of business and human behavior principles to the development and management of single and multifamily housing. Research in this area addresses issues in residential property management, residential development, and satisfaction with housing choices.

Historical Clothing and Textile/Museum studies

Students in this program focus on the management, conservation, and display of historic clothing and textiles. Students completing this course work will also obtain a Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies.

Course Work Programs

Course work (non-thesis) programs require a minimum of thirty-nine (39) graduate semester hours. Students without appropriate background course work will be required to complete additional undergraduate or graduate courses. Detailed course requirements for each of the following areas are available from the department.

Professional Merchandising with Practicum

The professional merchandising emphasis includes a practicum with a retail firm or a merchandising research project. The program of study provides advanced course work in retail merchandising, supply chain management, consumer patronage and purchase behavior, and market analysis, as well as foundational courses in research, theory and statistics. Students without a previous degree in retail merchandising will be required to complete additional undergraduate or graduate courses. This program prepares students from varying backgrounds for careers in retail management or buying, or with firms providing retail analysis services.

Creative Design

In addition to courses focused on creativity, design process, product development theory, and problem solving, the emphasis in creative design includes advanced development of creative apparel designs for submission to juried competition and development of a themed collection for exhibition. Outstanding computer-aided design (CAD) facilities enable students to employ leading-edge technology in developing and presenting their designs. Students without previous course work or experience in apparel design will be required to complete additional undergraduate or graduate courses, extending the program by at least one additional year. Students with an apparel design background can typically complete the program in a year and a half. The added experience strengthens the student's design portfolio, increasing their employment opportunities in the apparel industry.

Global Product Development

The global product development emphasis prepares professionals to address consumer and technical issues involved in developing fashion products in and for the global marketplace. The program of study focuses on theoretical and technical aspects of color and color communication, product testing and evaluation for quality management, global consumer and market assessment, and international trade issues. Optional courses taught at international locations may also be included in the student's program. Students without appropriate background course work will be required to complete additional undergraduate or graduate courses.

Residential Science

Students in the residential science emphasis complete advanced course work in housing, including a Graduate Certificate in Residential Development. The program explores theories and trends regarding the overall housing industry from conception to construction. In addition, students are introduced to the development process with an in-depth look at how projects get started—the "due diligence" phase. Through the practicum, students also have an opportunity to get hands-on field experience.

Doctor of Philosophy with Specialization in Textiles and Consumer Sciences

The doctor of philosophy (PhD) is a research degree granted to students who have mastered a specific field of knowledge, demonstrated capacity to do original and scholarly investigation, and shown ability to think critically. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in university teaching and research as well as for research positions in business and industry. This professional degree focuses on the application of theory and scientific knowledge to the design, development, production, merchandising, and consumption of textile, apparel, and other consumer products. Areas of emphasis include: merchandising, apparel product development, and textile product performance.

Doctoral students conduct research under the mentorship of outstanding faculty who are known nationally and internationally for their scholarly contributions to technological advances in retail management/buying, innovative and sustainable retail strategies, emerging consumer purchase/shopping patterns, design/evaluation of innovative apparel products, and performance assessments of high-tech textiles.

The program of studies is planned in consultation with the major professor and supervisory committee, following departmental guidelines, to provide depth in the selected area of emphasis as well as competency in statistics and research methodology. College and department core courses, support courses from an appropriate field and a supervised teaching experience are also included in the program of studies. The diagnostic examination, taken by all doctoral students in the first semester of study, is used to help plan the program of studies.

The preliminary exam, taken when all but nine (9) semester hours of course work are complete, provides another opportunity for the committee to assess the student's preparation to enter the research phase of the program. Students who do not exhibit adequate preparation may have courses added to their program of study.

Doctoral students must successfully complete all course work listed in the program of studies with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, pass the written and oral preliminary examination formally admitting the student to candidacy, submit and obtain approval for a prospectus; and write and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation (at least twenty-four [24] semester hours).

Definition of Prefixes

COA—Home Economics: Consumer Economics

CTE—Home Economics: Clothing, Textiles and Merchandising

HEE—Home Economics Education

HHD—Housing and Home Design

HOE—Home Economics: General

Advanced Undergraduate Courses

COA 4131. Family Financial Analysis (3). Principles and problems of money management, credit, insurance, housing, transportation, taxes, and investments.

CTE 4421r. Advanced Topics in Textiles (3–9). Prerequisites: CTE 1401, 1401L.Topics of current technology and research in textile science. Specific topics will vary. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours when topics vary. (Spring semester only.)

CTE 4460. Textiles in the Global Economy (3). Prerequisites: CTE 1401; a course in economics. Economic factors of production, distribution, and consumption of textile products. The impact of legislation, regulations, and international trade on the global textile and apparel market. (Spring and Summer only.)

CTE 4752. Design Through Draping (3). Prerequisite: CTE 3341, 3734. The fundamentals of draping on the human form as a method of apparel design. (Fall semester only.)

Graduate Courses

COA 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

COA 5945r. Consumer Education Practicum (3–6). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

COA 5912r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

COA 5942r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

COA 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours is required for the master's degree.

COA 6936r. Special Topics: Consumer Economics or Resource Management (3–9). Topics vary. Each topic may be taken only once. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

COA 6980r. Dissertation (1–24). (S/U grade only.)

COA 8964r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

COA 8966r. Master's Comprehensive Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

COA 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

COA 8985r. Dissertation Defense Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

CTE 5426r. Recent Developments in Textiles (3). Prerequisite: previous textile course work. This course offers in-depth analysis of current, specialized topics in textiles with a focus on economics, environmental, and technological factors related to textiles and apparel production.

CTE 5535r. Advanced History of Costume (3). Prerequisite: History of costume, or textiles, or permission of the instructor. In-depth study of selected periods of costume history relating clothing to the artistic, social, religious, and economic conditions of the time; the use of primary and secondary resources, outstanding collections, and published research; analyze and solve specific conservation problems. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5536r. Selected Studies in Historic Textiles (3). Prerequisite: History of costume, or textiles, or permission of instructor. Western and non-Western textile developments and their relationships to technological, economic, political, social, religious, aesthetic, and cultural influences. Introduction to historic textiles conservation and research. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5538. Historic Textiles and Clothing Collection Management (1–4). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Practicum at Florida State University Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection. Students will learn proper textile preservation, conservation, storage and display techniques for flat textiles and garments. Other experiences may include museum education, informatics, and data base management. This course may be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5706. Creativity: Consumer Product Development (3–4). Processes and techniques to stimulate and develop creativity from a multidisciplinary approach for the development of new consumer products.

CTE 5709r. Apparel Design Concepts (2–4). This course provides graduate students with accelerated concepts and skill development In apparel design. Specifically, this course provides a customized plan for Individual students in apparel construction, Illustration and patternmaking concepts. Course Is repeated as needed to acquire all competencies. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 5729r. Experimental Clothing Design (3–4). Prerequisites: CTE 3341, 3734, 4752. A theoretical and practical approach to designing fashionable and functional clothing. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 5754r. Advanced Draping (3). Prerequisite: CTE 4752 or permission of instructor. Advanced interpretive skills of design through draping. Students using draping techniques to resolve complex problems in design development. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours with permission of instructor.

CTE 5768r. Creative Design: Exhibition and Competition (3). Prerequisite: Background in apparel design. Development of advanced interpretive skills of design through two and three-dimensional design forms. Students will create original designs for juried competitions and/or gallery exhibitions. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5769r. Functional Apparel Design (3-4). Prerequisite: apparel construction, illustration, patternmaking. Critical analysis and prototype development to meet the special demands of functional and special needs clothing. Students registered for four credits must submit a design to a functional design competition. May be repeated with Instructors permission to a maximum twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 5776. Advanced Computer Applications in Apparel Design (3–4). Prerequisites: CTE 3734, 3742. This course focuses on the use of the computer as a tool to conceptualize apparel design ideas and create original artwork, patterns, and markers.

CTE 5785. Apparel Manufacturing Issues (3–4). Analysis of clothing manufacturing and the decision-making involved in the production of apparel.

CTE 5805. Current Trends in Fashion Merchandising (3). Prerequisites: Economics, marketing, psychology. Provides an opportunity to research, discuss, and analyze concepts and current trends in merchandising.

CTE 5807. Retail Merchandising Concepts (2–4). Prerequisites: MAC 1105, MGF 1106, or MGF 1107. This course is designed to give graduate students an accelerated overview of basic concepts and principles in the merchandising field. Students who have taken CTE 3806 and CTE 4822 are not eligible to enroll in this course. Specifically, this course will (1) provide an overview of every aspect of the retailing industry including historical perspectives, analysis of the decades of the twentieth century, the various materials used by fashion innovators, the design process of apparel and accessories, the roles played by the ancillary arms of the industry, and the marketing of collections, and (2) examine the principles of effective quantitative merchandising management.

CTE 5815r. Retail Technologies (3). In-depth study of the principal retail technologies and systems currently being developed and used for internal retail management and for global supply chain management. May be repeated once as course content changes, with permission from the instructor.

CTE 5816. Merchandising Organization (3). Prerequisites: CTE 4822; MAR 3023, or their equivalents. Synthesis of knowledge concerning retail merchandising emphasizing organizational structure and operational methods.

CTE 5828. Merchandising Buying (3). Prerequisites: CTE 4822; MAR 3023, or their equivalents. Techniques and theories of retail buying with emphasis on the buyers retail management role.

CTE 5833. Family-Owned Businesses: Issues and Trends (3). Issues resulting from the interaction between a family and the business that is owned by that family. Guest speakers include family business owners, bankers, accountants, lawyers and government officials who deal with family businesses.

CTE 5834. Merchandising Theory and Research (3). Prerequisite: Merchandising or retailing course work. Course focuses on the theories utilized in merchandising, including evaluating the use of these theories in current research.

CTE 5884. Advanced Fashion Merchandising Practicum (4). (S/U grade only). Prerequisites: Graduate standing in merchandising; completion of fifteen (15) hours of graduate course work including CTE 5816, 5828 or equivalent. Professional development through practical experience in retail merchandising.

CTE 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5911. Research Analysis in Clothing and Textiles (3). Analysis and interpretation of research in textiles and consumer sciences. Principles of quantitative and qualitative research; methodologies used in survey, experimental, and historical research. Emphasis is placed on theory development and research design.

CTE 5912r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

CTE 5930r. Clothing and Textiles Seminar (1). Exploration of current research in textiles and consumer sciences. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 5942r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

CTE 5945r. Museum Studies Internship (1-6). Prerequisites: CTE 3515 or CTE 3516. Internship at an institution approved by the Museum Studies program. The emphasis must be on historic clothing, textiles, or accessories. The experience provides an opportunity to apply and expand knowledge in areas of museum studies such as storage, display, education, informatics, and management. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only.) The minimum number of thesis hours for completion of a master's degree is six (6).

CTE 6900r. Readings in Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CTE 6932r. Clothing and Textiles Seminar (1). Exploration of current research in textiles and consumer sciences. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 6936r. Special Topics in Clothing/Textiles/Merchandising (1–6). Advanced study of selected topics in textiles, merchandising, or apparel product development with emphasis on problem analysis and resolution. May be repeated when topics vary. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

CTE 6980r. Dissertation (1–24). (S/U grade only.)

CTE 8964r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

CTE 8966r. Master's Comprehensive Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

CTE 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

CTE 8985r. Dissertation Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

HHD 5251. Environment and Human Behavior (3). The interrelationship between the built environment and the behavior of people including physical, psychological and social needs.

HHD 5906r. Directed Individual Study (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

HHD 5915r. Supervised Research (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

HHD 5942r. Supervised Teaching (1–3). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of three (3) semester hours.

HHD 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours is required for the master's degree.

HHD 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

HOE 6938r. Proseminar in Home Economics (1). (S/U grade only.) Doctoral students only. Repeatable up to a maximum of two (2) semester hours.