Curriculum

The following are the required courses for this major. Students who attend Orientation and meet with the Education Department can obtain personalized academic counseling to complete the program. Transfer credits, changes in curriculum, and other factors may affect the academic plan for individual students. The FIDM Education Department can provide additional information.

Prerequisite:

FIDM degree in Apparel Industry Management, Fashion Design, or Merchandise Product Development; or an associate’s degree in a related field from another accredited college or university. Additional requirements may apply.

One-on-one advisement is available to students from other FIDM Majors to consider eligibility for special admissions to this program. Contact the appropriate department chairperson.

Associate of Arts, Advanced Study (A.A.)

IMPD 3100

Strategies for Import/Export

UNITS: 3

An in-depth overview of marketing strategies for both foreign and domestic environments. This course covers aspects including cultural, political, and economic differences, as well as government and trade regulations affecting the international marketer. Prerequisites: 3150, IMPD 3580n

IMPD 3120

Construction & Technical Product Applications

UNITS: 3

An advanced studio course that synthesizes the students sketching skills with construction and technical knowledge to develop and present product ideations. Students analyze current market trends for construction methods by product category and price and use advanced sketching techniques to accurately communicate product silhouette, fit, details, and construction. Prerequisite: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

IMPD 3150

Global Relations & Negotiations

UNITS: 3

This comprehensive course focuses on negotiation tactics in the context of global business transactions. Students use skill building exercises to negotiate and communicate with an emphasis on cross-cultural conflicts. This course is designed to enhance students ability to identify problems, create solutions, innovate, and improve current practices and resolutions in a constantly changing global environment. Prerequisite: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

IMPD 3300

International Merchandising Strategies

UNITS: 9

Students research current fabric, color, retail, and style trends to forecast timely commercial conclusions for specific consumer markets. The students analyze potentials of global markets, and understand and identify consumer competition and brand positioning. Course includes a directed study tour to Europe to complete this research. Prerequisites: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

IMPD 3350

Management Concepts & Global Entrepreneurship

UNITS: 3

An advanced class in global management concepts and entrepreneurship that focuses on business management techniques, financing, long range strategic planning, budgeting, organizational structure, legal, and labor issues. This course also provides exposure to global management strategies. Prerequisites: IMPD 3150, IMPD 3580

IMPD 3420

Advanced Technology Applications

UNITS: 3

Students learn efficient, effective techniques for developing digital concepts and gain proficiency in using Adobe Creative Cloud applications to create industry presentations and digital communications for the international marketplace.

IMPD 3480

Garment Construction & Cost

UNITS: 3

This course evaluates the correlation between garment construction and garment cost. Students construct and deconstruct a garment. Through a hands-on simulation students determine the appropriate product price. Prerequisites: IMPD 3120, IMPD 3300

IMPD 3580

Sourcing Textiles for Import/Export

UNITS: 3

The course examines the process of sourcing textiles in the global marketplace. Emphasis is placed on methods used to research new fabric trends and their development. Prerequisite: A.A. in Apparel Industry Management, Merchandise Product Development, or Fashion Design

IMPD 3650

Product Development Marketing Research Strategies

UNITS: 6

International merchandising strategies are used to develop an exclusive product line geared toward the lifestyles of the target market. Students meet with the industry partner for initial product line presentation, critique, and approval. This course requires technical research to understand Product Life Cycle Management & Product Data Management. Advanced training on browser based PDM where technical specification packages are created and applied. Prerequisites: IMPD 3120, IMPD 3300

IMPD 3820

Consumer Fit & Sample Analysis

UNITS: 2

An in-depth study of preproduction samples with an emphasis placed on fit for individual body types. Samples assessed to identify appropriate modifications for global manufacturing. Prerequisites: IMPD 3480, IMPD 3650

IMPD 3850

Merchandise Sourcing & Production

UNITS: 9

This thesis course examines global sourcing strategies with emphasis on full value cost, labor issues, assembly procedures, fit evaluations, quality control, customs clearance, and warehousing and shipping of finished products. This program includes field research in Asia to gain understanding of the global production cycle from the raw material stage to the finished product. Emphasis is placed on the sourcing and manufacturing of goods for a specific market. Final project is comprised of a global sourcing and manufacturing strategy with completed samples and an industry thesis presentation. Prerequisites: IMPD 3100, IMPD 3120, IMPD 3150, IMPD 3300, IMPD 3350, IMPD 3480, IMPD 3580, IMPD 3650

IMPD 3880

Global Finance & Business Planning

UNITS: 1

International business and finance strategies are evaluated through an investigation of financial documentation and contractual agreements. Students identify business planning techniques and determine appropriate international practices for the apparel industry. Prerequisite: IMPD 3100, IMPD 3150, IMPD 3300

IMPD 3980

Internship (Recommended)

UNITS: 0

Students gain practical experience with applications of classroom skills to actual work situations in the area of International Manufacturing & Product Development.

Total Units of Credit: 48