Graduate Program
Welcome to the graduate program in the Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising at LSU.
Requirements and procedures specific to each graduate program are discussed in the handbook. The handbook is a supplement to the LSU General Catalog, which is the authoritative source for academic regulation of the University.
It is the responsibility of graduate students to fulfill the requirements described in LSU’s current general catalog and these guidelines. Students are also responsible for being aware of and meeting the deadlines printed in the graduate calendar. Although the catalog states explicitly that LSU reserves the right to change requirements at any time, TAM tries to apply those regulations that are in effect in the year students enter their programs. Please note that due to changes in the university structure and the creation of the new Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, the former School of Human Ecology no longer exists.
Please note that due to the way our course schedule works, we only admit students for the fall semester. Applications are accepted year round with a deadline of March 1st for the following school year.
We begin reviewing applications at that time. Assistantship applications are reviewed later in the spring, usually in mid to late April. If you are in need of an assistantship, please indicate this as part of your application. Please note that we only admit for the Fall.
Due to a change in faculty, we are currently only able to admit graduate students for our Apparel Design, Historic Costume, and Merchandising programs. Admissions to our graduate level Textile Science program are on hold indefinitely. Please check with the graduate coordinator (Erica Woolard) before applying if you are interested in Textile Science.
TAM Forms
These documents are specific to the TAM Graduate Department. Forms required by the Graduate School can be located on their website and must be submitted through the TAM Graduate Coordinator, Erica Woolard.
Other Resources
The below links lead to several important resources that you may need to utilize through your graduate school career.
Please be sure to check them for updates from time to time.
LSU Accelerated Master’s Program
Textile, Apparel Design, & Merchandising (TAM)
Earn Your Master’s Degree Faster – Start Now!
The Department of Textiles, Apparel Design, and Merchandising offers an innovative Accelerated Master’s degree option designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who wish to accelerate their education and career in the fashion and retail industries. This program allows students to earn both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in just five years by integrating graduate-level coursework into the final year of undergraduate study. With a strong emphasis on research, creative exploration, and industry relevance, the Accelerated Master’s option is ideal for students looking to deepen their expertise in areas such as creative design, historic costume, consumer behavior, global supply chains, and brand management. Degrees can be earned in the areas of apparel design, historic/cultural dress, and merchandising.
Throughout the program, students benefit from close mentorship with faculty, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities for experiential learning and professional development. The streamlined curriculum prepares graduates for a range of advanced roles in fashion design, merchandising, museum collections management, product development, and academia. Whether aiming to lead in corporate fashion environments or pursue further research and teaching, the Accelerated Master’s degree equips students with the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to stand out in a competitive global market. If you would like to learn more about this program, please reach out to Accelerated Master’s Program Coordinator, Dr. Casey Stannard.
“ Fast-Track Your Future in Fashion & Merchandising! Join the LSU TAM Accelerated Master’s Program Today. ”
What is the Accelerated Master’s Program?
The LSU Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) allows high-achieving undergraduate students in Textile, Apparel Design & Merchandising (TAM) to earn graduate credit during their senior year—fast-tracking their path to a Master of Science in TAM. Degrees offered in the following concentrations, Apparel Design, Historic Costume, and Merchandising.
Program Highlights:
- Double Count Credits: Apply up to 9 hours of graduate coursework to both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees
- Save Time & Tuition: Complete your MS degree in just one additional year after earning your undergraduate degree
- Early Research Experience: Begin working with faculty on graduate-level research while still an undergrad
- Career Boost: Graduate with advanced skills in apparel design, historic costume curation, merchandising strategy, sustainability, and consumer behavior
Who is Eligible?
Current LSU TAM undergraduates with:
- A minimum GPA of 3.50
- Junior or senior standing
- Approval from your academic advisor and graduate faculty
Coursework Examples:
- TAM 7030: Creativity in Product Development
- TAM 7031: Social-Psychological Theories of Dress, Appearance, and Fashion
- TAM 7038: Apparel Merchandising Trends
- TAM 7044: Curation and Exhibition
- TAM 7056: Fashion, Luxury, and Lifestyle Brands
How to Apply:
- Talk to your academic advisor about your eligibility
- Complete the AMP application via the LSU Graduate School
- Plan your coursework to include eligible graduate-level classes
We understand that funding is a huge consideration when applying for graduate school. You have a few options for scholarships and assistantships within LSU.
TAM Assistantships
Applying for an assistantship with the TAM graduate program is very informal. On your application for graduate school, there is a question regarding the need for an assistantship. If you answer this question "yes" then you will be added to our pool of assistantship candidates.
Funding within the department is limited however, so it can be very competitive. You will want to make sure your application is as stunning as possible.
You may be admitted to the program prior to funding decisions being made. If you are awarded a TAM assistantship, the graduate coordinator, Erica Woolard, will be reaching out to you directly with the specific information.
LSU Funding
The Graduate School has several fellowship opportunities that you may be eligible to apply for.
There will also be funding opportunities that you can apply for with the LSU Olinde Career Center. They can be reached at career@lsu.edu or 225-578-2162. They will set you up with a log-in for the Handshake LSU Job portal where you will be able to see assistantships being offered from other departments. We recommend that you apply to as many as possible to find one that is a good fit for you.
General Scholarships are available and can be applied for on the Scholarship Application Portal
Contact Information
Chuanlan Liu
Professor and Graduate Advisor
145 Human Ecology Building
225-578-2400
clliu@lsu.edu
Erica Woolard
Graduate and Departmental Administrative Coordinator
125 Human Ecology Building
225-578-2448
ericaw1@lsu.edu
Casey Stannard
Beverly Griffin Shea Associate Professor and Accelerated Master’s Program Coordinator
147 Human Ecology Building
225-578-2404
stannard@lsu.edu
Requirements for Admission
This program allows a student to pursue graduate studies in the areas of Textile Science, Apparel Design, Merchandising or Historical/Cultural Textiles and Apparel. Entering students will choose research programs and will work with faculty members from the appropriate curricula. It is recommended that entering students have a strong background in the textile sciences. Students may be required to complete certain course work in this general area if not previously acquired. All students must fulfill graduate student entry requirements of Louisiana State University.
Please access the Louisiana State University webpage for potential graduate students for information on housing, cost of attendance, and other important details.
The following are the minimum requirements for graduate study in Textiles, Apparel Design, & Merchandising:
- A bachelor degree based on a four-year curriculum from an institution accredited by one of the regional associates of the Commission on Institution of Higher Education or equivalent. A masters degree is required for Ph.D.
- A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher in the previous degree.
- A minimum composite score of 300 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not waive this requirement. Official scores must be sent to the LSU Admissions office directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS.) Our institution score is 6373.
- To comply with Louisiana state mandate, the Graduate School requires an oral proficiency
evaluation and certification of international graduate students* on TA2 or TA3 assistantships.
- Includes those from all countries, including Canada, Great Britain, Australia, Puerto Rico, Viet Nam, etc., as well as naturalized citizens, U.S. residents, and those whose first language is not English.
- In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, a TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based test or 79 on the Internet-based test, an IELTS score of at least 6.5, or a PTE score of at least 59 must be received before an international student’s application is evaluated for admission. We do not waive this requirement.
- Three Letters of recommendation from persons knowledgeable about your preparation and/or qualifications for your desired graduate degree program.
- Evidence of adequate financial resources to pay the cost of your education.
- A Current Resume.
- A statement of purpose (also known as a letter of intent) that includes: (1) research interest, (2) faculty members(s) the applicant is interested in working with, (3) future goals related to the program of interest, (4) reason for seeking this degree, and (5) prior work-related experience.
You must apply electronically. You will be prompted to upload all supporting documents, including your official transcripts from all institutions attended, GRE and TOEFL scores, resume, and statement of purpose. You will also be prompted to provide information for your recommenders.