The fashion studies program includes two areas of specialization: fashion business and fashion design. The program prepares students for professional careers in fashion design, fashion business, product development, merchandising, and retail management. The U.S. fashion market is one of the largest in the world and maintains high employment growth. The U.S. has nearly two million retail firms, many of which sell apparel and textiles products. The apparel manufacturing industry, which includes the design and manufacture of apparel is a global enterprise that takes advantage of highly sophisticated technologies.<br><br>Fashion Studies students develop technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and leadership abilities while being challenged to excel in the specialization they have selected. Students learn about all aspects of the fashion industry from the manufacture of fibers to fashion design, production, distribution, marketing and retail management. The fashion studies program at K-State emphasizes the importance of environmental, economic, and social sustainability throughout the industry.<br><br>The goals of the fashion studies program are to develop individuals with creative and analytical thinking abilities and to develop competent, resourceful, business leaders who have a liberal and general education. Course work for fashion studies students includes written and oral communications, mathematics, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, and computer applications.