The department includes four program options. The Apparel, Product Development, and Merchandising Management option prepares students for careers in the exciting world of fashion with skills in product development, forecasting, sourcing, and merchandising. Students use new technologies to learn how apparel products are made, what consumers’ buying habits are, and how international trade policies and economics affect the market place. In 2012, the program was ranked 15th in the world by fashion-schools.org. The Consumer Studies option prepares students to analyze issues and problems from the perspectives of consumers, business, and government. Students learn to advocate for consumer interests and to help consumers improve their well-being through personal financial management. Students also learn to track changing economic, social and political conditions and public policy. The Housing option focuses on the residential environment, especially the design, selection, and marketing of residential spaces and products. Graduates of the option are well prepared to become certified kitchen and bath designers, to work in manufacturing and marketing of housing products, such as appliances and home furnishings, and to support residential construction. The Property Management option prepares students in the operation, and oversight of residential and commercial real estate. Property management is a fast-growing career sector with positions in luxury apartment developments, innovative senior living communities, office and retail complexes. Graduates of Virginia Tech’s program are in great demand with skills that address the increased complexities of managing these multimillion-dollar assets.

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