The department participates in the Ph.D. degree program awarded from the College of Human Ecology  with a specialization in Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design . The degree is designed to enable students to combine knowledge of apparel and textiles with an understanding of its application to a broader human perspective. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 90 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree—including 60 hours of course work and 30 hours of dissertation research. A master’s degree is required and up to 30 hours from the student’s Master’s degree may be applied toward the course work requirement. A program of study will be individually planned to capitalize on the interests, goals, and disciplinary backgrounds of the student and faculty. A preliminary written examination and oral defense are required upon completing two-thirds of the program of study. A dissertation and oral defense of the dissertation are required.