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Textile and Apparel Studies

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Undergraduate Professional Experience

The Professional Experience Program provides opportunities for experiential learning for textile and apparel studies majors. Students extend their academic work with on-the-job training in retailing, design and marketing firms. The program is supervised by WMU faculty in cooperation with management personnel in the field. Outcomes of experiential learning include an increased awareness of personal abilities, interests and goals and the opportunity to enhance decision making and problems solving skills.

FCS 2020 Field Experience (3 credits)

As part of the Textile and Apparel Studies program, majors earn three credits toward graduation by completing 300 hours of supervised field experience in apparel design and marketing firms. Field experience offers students the opportunity to apply theories and principles from their academic program to real world situations, as well as gain valuable work experience. Field experience may be completed during the fall, spring or summer sessions.

FCS 4290 Internship (3 to 6 credits)

Textile and Apparel Studies majors may elect to complete an internship as part of their program of study. Internships provide students with management-level training experience with leading industry firms during the late-junior or senior year. Completion of FCS 2020 and late-junior or senior standing are prerequisites for enrollment for Internship credit. In the past, students have completed internships with such firms as Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Marshall Field, The Gap, K Mart, Wal-Mart, Johnson Controls and Magna Interiors.

To plan a Field Experience or Internship, Textile and Apparel Studies majors should contact Dr. Barbara Frazier at barbara.frazier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3719.

Graduate Practicum

FCS 6220 Practicum in Family and Consumer Sciences (2 to 6 credits)

This practicum is designed to give the student an opportunity to apply knowledge and information acquired in the family and consumer sciences academic setting and further develop and refine professional skills with the guidance and assistance of professionals currently working in the field. The variation in credit hours allows the program to meet the individual needs of various students, some of whom may be fully employed. Each credit hour requires 100 hours of on-site experience. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.A. in Family and Consumer Sciences or the M.A. in Career and Technical Education. To plan a Practicum, contact at (269) 387-3704.