Graduate Studies in Design and the Near Environment - Emphasis in Apparel Design focuses on the development, production, history, theory and criticism of apparel. Research can focus on qualitative or quantitative analysis of design and manufacturing of sewn products. For a master’s, a B.A., B.S., or equivalent degree in Apparel Design or related areas with undergraduate course work that can demonstrate the ability to pursue graduate level study in apparel design is required. Undergraduate prerequisite coursework may be required for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree in apparel design. This undergraduate prerequisite coursework may be taken at OSU (Note: the need to take prerequisite coursework will increase the time to degree completion). A master’s degree in Apparel Design or related areas is required to pursue a doctoral degree.

What is the Near Environment?

The environment is all factors that impinge upon or influence an individual. The near environment or the immediate or personal environment is that part of the environment which is close to the individual and with which the individual interacts; our clothing, building interiors, and housing are all components of the near environment. The near environment includes the specific places and things with which an individual engages daily or regularly. The near environment has both tangible and intangible components. The focus of study for students in the School of Design and Human Environment is both the tangible products -- apparel and other textile products, interiors, housing -- and intangible aspects -- cultural and individual values and attitudes, social institutions, individual perceptions and motivations, and so forth -- of the near environment. Students in all areas of concentration study the tangible components as influenced by the intangible aspects.

The following courses are offered in support of the apparel design emphasis:

DHE 527 Draping (4 credits)
DHE 528 Apparel Production Processes (3 credits)
DHE 529 Advanced Design Processes (4 credits)
DHE 553 Product Quality Assurance (4 credits)
DHE 561 History of the Near Environment I (3 credits)
DHE 562 History of the Near Environment II (3 credits)
DHE 563 History of Contemporary Fashion (3 credits)
DHE 566 Research in the Cross Cultural Aspects in the Near Environment (3 credits)
DHE 575 Global Production and Trade in Textiles and Apparel (4 credits)
DHE 577 Fashion Theory (3 credits)
DHE 582 Aesthetic and Perceptual Theories of the Near Environment (2 credits)
DHE 665 Theories & Methods in Historical/Cultural Research of the Near Environment (3 credits)
DHE 685 Advanced Topics in Human Behavior and the Near Environment (3 credits)

Suggested Minor Areas:

Anthropology (courses such as):

ANTH 511-520 World Cultures (each course emphasizes a different region in the world) (4 credits)
ANTH 591 Ethnographic Methods (3 credits)
ANTH 575 Theory of Culture (3 credits)
ANTH 595 Anthropological Research Design (3 credits)

Business Administration (courses such as):

BA 550 Organization Management (3 credits)
BA 590 Building Customer Relationships (4 credits)
BA 592 Consumer Behavior (4 credits)
BA 594 Marketing Channels (4 credits)
BA 596 Marketing Research (4 credits)
BA 597 Global Marketing (4 credits)

Exercise and Sport Science (courses such as):

EXSS 523 Biomechanics of Motor Activities (3 credits) 
EXSS 525 Biomechanics of Skeletal System (3 credits) 
EXSS 533 Advanced Exercise Physiology (3 credits)
EXSS 573 Measurement of Human Movement (3 credits)
EXSS 575 Research in Human Movement (3 credits)

Sociology (courses such as):

SOC 513 Sociological Theory (3 credits)
SOC 515 Understanding Social Research (3 credits)
SOC 519 Applied Research Methods (3 credits)
SOC 524 Social Psychology (3 credits)
SOC 530 Gender and Society (3 credits)
SOC 532 Sociology of Aging (3 credits)
SOC 537 Race and Ethnic Relations (3 credits)
SOC 548 Law and Society (3 credits)
SOC 560 Comparative Societies (3 credits)