In our Apparel Product Development and Merchandising Technology program, you will experience working on the cutting edge of fashion with high-tech learning that makes all the difference. Through a creative and collaborative approach to the study of apparel and textiles, our primary goal is to introduce you to real-world apparel and design from concept development to retail distribution using advanced knowledge and creativity in design, production, evaluation and technology.<br>Hands-on research is the core of our apparel product development and merchandising technology program. You won't just study developments after they happen you'll work with manufacturers and retailers to bring them to life.<br><br>That may mean working with Cotton Incorporated on a virtual selling space, or helping Lululemon test thermal fabrics with one of our sensor-equipped manikins, or putting Polartec fabric through its paces while filming runners with infrared cameras.<br><br>This collaborative approach is an integral part of our program. It means that when you graduate, you'll have the experiences that will make you competitive in the labor market.<br>You'll gain much of that experience in on-campus labs featuring technology you'll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. We're the only university in Michigan to have a 3D body scanner. And we're the first public university in the Midwest to have a MakerBot 3D Printing Innovation Center.<br>Yet as important as technology is, people are even more important. Our experienced faculty will prepare you for executive-level positions in apparel and textile development, merchandising or go on to pursue an advanced degree.