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Wilson College of Textiles

Graduate Certificate in Textile Brand Management and Marketing

The Graduate Certificate in Textile Brand Management and Marketing provides students the opportunity to build their knowledge and update their skills for application in the global textiles and apparel market. The 15-hour program provides participants with-up-to date insights into the dynamic market environment for textiles and apparel with an emphasis on brand management and marketing. The coursework is designed to increase participants’ awareness and skill levels for selecting and using evolving analytics in the industry marketing environment. This program is ideal for students with undergraduate backgrounds outside of textile- and apparel-based programs who work in the industry, professionals seeking updated skills and those interested in potentially pursuing a master’s degree in textiles.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Be a graduate of an accredited four-year college or university and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.
  • Be a degree student in good standing in a graduate program at NC State University.
  • Have a master’s degree.

Applicants who do not meet the GPA requirements may be admitted provisionally based on case-by-case basis. Students who are admitted provisionally must earn at least a “B” average in the first three courses of the certificate program in order to obtain full admission into the certificate program.

Admission is rolling, and students may begin taking courses for the certificate in summer, fall or spring terms.

Curriculum (15 hours)

Students must take a minimum of 15 credit hours to fulfill the certificate requirements, including:

  1. The following two core courses (6 hours)
    • TTM 582 – Global Textile Brand Management and Marketing (3 hours)
      • The course provides an understanding of the global textile brand management and marketing environments, global markets, and marketing programs and organizations. Specific topics include a] the economic, social, political/legal, and cultural environments; b] global textile market opportunities and challenges; c] global textile and apparel marketing strategies, and d] creation and management of global textile and apparel marketing programs.
    • TTM 585 – Market Research in Textiles (3 hours)
      • A study and analysis of quantitative methods employed in market research in the textile industry. Function of market research and its proper orientation to management and decision making.
  2. Three of the following discretionary courses (9 hours)
    • TTM 561 – Strategic Technology Management in the Textile Complex (3 hours)
      • Management approaches and strategies for forecasting, planning, creating, and implementing technology changes in textile industry complex undergoing rapid market place and global competitive changes.
    • TTM 573 – Management of Textile Product Development (3 hours)
      • The course focuses on an integrated approach to new product design, development and marketing of textile products. This integrated approach includes a] innovation strategy and opportunity identification, b] the design process for textile products, c] market launch, and d] managing innovation. The course includes diverse textile end-uses, including apparel, home textiles, transportation textiles, and medical textiles. Trends in textile product development are reviewed. The dynamics of business analysis and strategy, design prototypes, and product analysis and recommendation are analyzed.
    • TTM 583 – Strategic Planning for Textile Firms (3 hours)
      • Elements of competitive strategy and planning methods within the textile complex with emphasis on the concepts of strategy in a mature industry, defining business in a global industry, resource allocation through strategic planning methods and implementing strategy in a single business and multi-business firms.
    • TTM 588 – Global Perspectives in Textiles Supply Chain Management (3 hours)
      • Study and analysis of global textile supply chains. Field trips to textile related companies and organizations are required. Students will conduct a research project on global supply chain issues. Course taught off campus for non-U.S. global perspectives.
    • TTM 630 – Independent Study in Textile Technology Management (1-3 hours)
      • Problems of specific interest in textile and apparel technology. Preparation of report, in a format suitable for publication required. One-page outline signed by advisor must be submitted within first week of semester.

Note: One NC State University course (400 level or higher) can be substituted for a discretionary course, based on approval from the certificate coordinator.

Examples of approved course options:

  • TTM 581 – Global Textile and Apparel Business Dynamics (3 hours)
    • An overview of the economic, competitive, technological and market dynamics of the international textile and apparel industries. Trends in demand, output and trade are reviewed. The dynamic forces shaping and transforming the industry internationally are analyzed. Patterns of change at the global, regional, national and company level are explained and the outlook for the industries is considered.
  • TTM 591 – Special Studies in Textile Technology Management (1-4 hours)
    • Special Studies in Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management to fulfill needs not covered by current offerings. Student and faculty required to submit topics to be covered to director of graduate programs within first week of semester.

Applying

New students that are pursuing a certificate only, should apply online. A new application fee is required.

Existing students can apply directly through the certificate coordinator for each individual certificate and not pay an application fee. Applicants will submit a Program Application, a resume identifying educational preparation and work experiences, and official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work.

Prior to completing the first course after being accepted into the program, all students must prepare and submit a Certificate Contract Application. The contract includes a statement of career goals, a rationale for completing the certificate program and a timeline for certificate completion. When completed, students must sign the Certificate Contract Application and submit two copies of all materials to the certificate coordinator. Students can always elect to review their application with the certificate coordinator prior to contract preparation.

Program Restrictions

Award of a Graduate Certificate in Textile Brand Management and Marketing requires a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. None of the required 15 hours may be taken for S/U or “credit only”. No transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for the certificate. All students must be registered through NC State University. All requirements must be completed within the first four (4) calendar years beginning with the date the student begins the course work for the certificate. All certificate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment every semester (excluding summer sessions) until all course work is completed. Under unusual circumstances, a one-semester leave of absence will be granted if the student is unable to enroll in a course. Written approval from the certificate coordinator must be obtained before the beginning of the semester.

Certificate Coordinator

Dr. Ellie Jin 
bejin@ncsu.edu