What is the Home Products Industry?

FIT’s Home Products Development department offers a two-year Bachelor of Science degree program, designed by and for an industry that has grown steadily for the past decade. Home Products includes hard (furnishings and accessories) and soft (textiles) classifications.

With the world's only program in Home Products Development, FIT gives students a thorough understanding of the connection between fashion and business in the home furnishing industries. From Bedding and Bath, Tabletop and Kitchen, Soft Floor Coverings, Furniture and Upholstery, Housewares, Gift, and Decorative Accessories, to Small Electronics, students immerse themselves in the industry and prepare to work closely with product developers, designers, merchandisers, marketers, and salespeople.

Courses develop the student’s knowledge of product and materials, lifestyle dynamics, sourcing, distribution, target marketing, branding and licensing, packaging, and, international trade all the components of the product development process.  The student learns to work with a team and how to communicate their ideas utilizing oral, written, and visual and computer skills. Close ties with the industry are fostered through internships, mentoring, shadowing programs, industry sponsored workshops, field trips to companies and trade shows, and industry speakers.

 What do Home Products Graduates do?

The graduates of the Home Products Development program place as product managers, merchandisers, buyers, showroom and store managers, market specialists, public relations assistants, production and design assistants, and sales associates.  Other areas of opportunity include importer and mill representatives, converters, fabric librarians, stylists, media managers, and trade show specialists.  A vast variety of companies, including retailers, manufacturers, and support industries, hire graduates of the program.

 Who is Eligible for This Program?

All AAS degree graduates of Fashion Merchandising Management, Advertising and Marketing Communications, Production Management, and Textile Development and Marketing are eligible.  AAS degree graduates of the School of Art and Design (Interior design, Display and Exhibit, Accessories Design, Fashion Design, etc.) interested in earning BS in Home Products are welcome.  AAS degree holders from other schools qualify for this program.

 Application

 The application deadline is early February.

 What is the acceptance percentage?

 Each fall we admit 25 students, possessing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

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