Design, Merchandising, and Consumer Sciences (DMCS)

Jane E. Hegland, Head
Department of Design, Merchandising, and Consumer Sciences
SNF 229
605-688-5196
e-mail: Jane.Hegland@sdstate.edu

Faculty

Professor Hegland, Head; Professors Enevoldsen, Isham, Nussbaumer; Professors Emeriti Kamstra, Semeniuk, Stoflet; Associate Professors Gorham, Lyons, Strickler; Associate Professor Emerita Yost; Assistant Professor McKillip; Assistant Professor Emerita Swedlund; Instructors Morrison, Trautman.

Programs

The Department of Design, Merchandising, & Consumer Sciences enhances the quality of life for consumers in each of the three programs, with particular emphasis on the sustainable management of resources in a global context. DMCS will be known for high quality, dynamic, and innovative teaching, scholarship, and outreach in its quest to develop successful professionals in the areas of Apparel Merchandising (AM), Consumer Affairs (CA), and Interior Design (ID) – and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in all three majors.

Three major themes underpin the DMCS vision and mission: commerce: DMCS students learn about design and production processes, and consumption patterns and behavior in the global marketplace; creativity: DMCS students engage in concept development and produce experimental work within project constraints that is a result of creative collaboration; and resource management: DMCS students understand the need for prioritization of resources to help consumers and businesses make optimal decisions.

In all our work, faculty and students commit themselves to fostering scholarship and outreach efforts that reflect local, regional, national, or global contexts; promoting careers in an ever-changing global marketplace; inspiring critical thinking and theory building; encouraging activities with socially responsible impacts on individuals, households, commerce, and the environment; and celebrating diversity.

While some courses are offered twice yearly (in CA), most are offered once a year, while a few are offered alternate years. Work experience is recommended before the Professional Practicum or Internship (AM 495, CA 494, ID 495). To enroll in the Professional Practicum for AM or ID students must have 90 semester credits and a 2.2 GPA. CA students must hold a 2.5 GPA in order to enroll in their internship. Consult your advisor for assistance and current information.

Apparel Merchandising (AM)

The Apparel Merchandising program at SDSU focuses on the process of delivering apparel products to the global consumer. It is broad based in its approach and provides students problem-solving experiences. The degree provides educational experiences and skill development to enable graduates to successfully obtain entry-level employment in any part of the nation. Local and regional retail professionals are involved in the educational process in order to enrich the program and maintain currency with regional practices. Courses include issues of national and global importance so that students will graduate with an awareness of the challenges and opportunities in their professional futures.

The apparel merchandising curriculum provides students with information and competencies applicable to careers in the fashion industry including production, wholesaling and retailing, and consumer acquisition and use of apparel and household textiles. Cultural and scientific aspects of apparel and textiles are examined with emphasis on aesthetic, economic, historic, sociological, and psychological factors. A 7-week (280-hour) full-time practicum compatible with career goals is a program requirement.

Fashion Institute of Technology
The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design is affiliated with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Students may enroll in a two-semester Visiting Scholar Program at FIT. Emphasis areas include Fashion Design (a portfolio is required), Fashion Merchandising, and several others. FIT courses transfer to SDSU and substitute for program requirements if approved prior to enrollment. Upon graduation from SDSU students receive an associate degree from FIT. Upper division status and a minimum 3.0 GPA(on a 4.0 scale) is required for FIT consideration. Acceptance into the FIT Visiting Scholar Program is competitive and planning should begin early in the first semester of the sophomore year. For more information, contact the apparel merchandising academic advisor.

Minors in Apparel Merchandising
Apparel Merchandising has two areas of study, apparel (the product) and merchandising (the business), and so offers two minors that focus on these areas: Apparel Studies and Merchandising. Both minors require eighteen credit hours. Plan your minor with an academic advisor early in your program.

Consumer Affairs (CA)

The Consumer Affairs program focuses on the development of abilities in management, planning, organizing, and problem-solving for students who will assist individuals and families to improve their economic well-being. The curriculum focuses on the interaction between consumers and the marketplace, the family financial planning process, the management of resources, public policy affecting individuals and families, and consumer behavior.

The consumer affairs curriculum prepares students to qualify for employment or graduate study in family financial planning, consumer behavior, consumer law, consumer product marketing, consumer economics, and business management. Career opportunities also exist in non-profit organizations and government. An 8-week (320-hour) full-time summer internship compatible with career goals is a program requirement.

Minor in Consumer Affairs
Eighteen credit hours are required for a minor in Consumer Affairs. Plan your minor with an academic advisor early in your program.

Interior Design (ID)

The Interior Design Program at SDSU focuses on designs that promote the health, safety, and well-being of people in the built environment with an emphasis on sustainability prepares graduates of the program to succeed in the profession throughout the region, nationally and internationally.

The Interior Design Program prepares graduates for practice in the interior design profession. The program educates students by enriching their personal and professional lives. This is accomplished by providing a broad-based education, travel studies, international travel opportunities, service learning experiences, opportunities for various minors, and collaboration among various disciplines. The curriculum infuses sustainability practices, develops and increases creativity through concept development, and offers various learning environments that use appropriate technologies.

Interior Design faculty will maintain currency in their fields of knowledge, uses of technology, and understanding of current issues to inform students, regional professionals, and the citizens of the state and region of the importance design plays in quality of life issues.

A 7-week (280-hour) summer practicum compatible with career goals is a program requirement. Students are also required to buy a laptop computer and software for use in the beginning of their sophomore year. Contact a member of the Interior design faculty to learn more about system specification before purchasing the computer.

Minor in Interior Design
Eighteen credit hours are required for a minor in Interior Design. Plan your minor with an academic adviser early in your program.

Field Trips and Travel Studies

Faculty in the Department of Design, Merchandising, & Consumer Sciences are committed to intensifying students’ comprehension of major areas of study through off-campus experiences. DMCS regularly schedules field trips to design studios, merchandising businesses, marketing and public relations firms, and financial organizations in the region, and travel study experiences to US and international metropolitan areas. Recent university and department-sponsored trips include Australia, China, England, France, Germany, India, New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, and St. Paul.