About this Program

The textile industry went through tremendous changes during the past few years that included changes in technologies, business practices, offshore manufacturing, consumer expectations and globalization of businesses. The ATM program offers career-oriented training in basic textile science and manufacturing, textile and apparel design, as well as apparel manufacturing and merchandising to meet these new challenges in the industry.

Students have access to a wide range of facilities, including the textile laboratory, the apparel studio with computer aided systems, a state-of-the-art computerized cutter, the textile studio, and the costume collection. 

The courses in the program are evaluated constantly to keep students abreast of the advances in the industry. The required core curriculum within the Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising Program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation consisting of all three areas within the industry: design, textiles and merchandising. The multitude of electives available in each area, allow students to tailor their experience to meet their personal career interest. Students in the program supplement their math and science courses with business, finance, and language courses for well rounded development.

 

Industrial Fabric Cutting Demo by Dr. Becker

 

  • Alumni
    There is a history of respect for our students in the business environment. Employers repeatedly recruit our students because of their performance in the work place. There are unique features in our program, which other similar programs in Michigan do not have. These include CAD/CAM design training and training in textile science with laboratory practices. There is a real need for professionals who are trained in these areas due to the significant number of local and national textile and textile related industries. 

    Networking assistance is available to ATM students.

    Recent examples internships and professional positions obtained by students:

    • Sally, JC Penney, Assistant Buyer, Plano, Texas
    • Melissa, Macy's, Visual Merchandiser, Troy, Michigan
    • Tara, Guess Jeans, Retail Coordinator, Detroit, Michigan
    • Jaclyn, Dunham's, Assistant Buyer, Waterford, Michigan
    • Amanda, H&M, Visual Merchandiser, Novi, Michigan
    • Meredith, Abercrombie & Fitch, Home Office-Campus Store Manager, New Albany, Ohio
    • Pinki, Sears, Assistant Buyer, Hoffman Estates, Illinois
    • Tiffany, Fran Coy Salon, Beauty Supplies Buyer/Manager, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • Kristen, Aldo Group, Manager, Novi, Michigan
    • Gallayanee, University of Southern Mississippi, Assistant Professor, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
    • Lindsey, Pillar of Autumn, Wardrobe Stylist, Detroit, Michigan
    • Sheena, Vanity, Manager, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • Renuka, Faurecia, Textile Engineer, Troy, Michigan
    • Andrea, Marriott Vacation Club, Marketing Executive, Oahu, Hawaii
    • Jessica, Aldo Group, Manager, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • Nicole, Carhartt, Product Coordinator, Walled Lake, Michigan
    • Sonya, MGM Grand Casino, Supply Chain Management, Detroit, Michigan
    • Jamil, Parisian, Assistant Manager, Utica, Michigan
    • Steve, VF Corporation, Retail Analyst, New York, New York
    • Monika, Sales/Marketing Coordinator, Elmer's Products, Ann Arbor, Michigan
    • Zalina, Designer Shoe Warehouse, Asst. Manager, Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • Program Facilities

    The Apparel, Textiles and Merchandising department works tirelessly to stay abreast of the latest technology in the field. The department houses up-to-date laboratories throughout the building. The department has the following facilities: Computer-Aided Design Lab featuring Gerber Technology; Textile Testing Lab housing the latest in testing equipment; Weaving Lab with computerized looms; Fabric Design Lab; Garment Construction Lab; and Digital Design Lab with Adobe Design Software (Photoshop/Illustrator).

    • Computer-Aided Design Lab
    • Textile Design & Design Labs
    • Weaving Lab
  • Research

    Faculty Research

    • New developments in bulletproof vests for comfort and safety (Medical Research Grant) - Dr. Subhas Ghosh , Program Coordinator
    • Biological Agents/Distinctive Fabrics (DOD Grant) - Dr. Subhas Ghosh, assisted by graduate and undergraduate students working under his supervision
    • New developments in digital printing and Jacquard weaving for innovative fabric design- Cathryn Amidei, Assistant Professor

    Student Research

    • Characterizing the American Ecodesign Approach - Celeste Malvar – Stewart
    • Design for Disassembly - Dana Harder
    • Consumer needs in athletic women's wear - Penelope Frenette
    • Experiential Retailing: Extraordinary Store Environments and Purchase Behavior- Alana Garvin
    • Industry inconsistencies in women's apparel sizing and the effect on perceived body image - Nicole L. Weidner
    • Women's comfort intimate apparel made from nonwoven polyurethane - Peisy Alamsjah
    • Embedding Aromatherapy essential oils into various textiles using ß-cyclodextrin inclusion complex - Natalie Rae Reynolds
    • Ultrasonic seaming of spectra, PET, polyester/cotton blend fabrics – Renuka Reddy
    • A comparative study of polylactic (acid) and polyethylene terepthalate woven fabrics in women's apparel and garment analysis - Jocelyn Goodell
    • Etextiles/ Ecotextiles - Caroline Chiohh
    • Clothing to maintain comfort using thermo - regulating fabric - Prasad. S. Bhatkhande

    Student Achievements

    • Sangeetha Yadav received EMU Graduate Thesis Award for 2009.
  • Latest News

At a Glance

  • Number of credits: 21

Catalog

Resources

Request More Information

Julie Becker, Ph.D.
206H Roosevelt
734.487.2490 | [email protected]