CONSUMER, APPAREL, AND RETAIL STUDIES Concentration

PhD in Business Administration | Fully Online

Earn your PhD

For those who imagine themselves as university professors sharing their passion for Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies with future students, a PhD is an outstanding course of study to pursue. By delving deep into exciting topics ranging from marketing to consumer behavior, you will gain an expert understanding of the industry and how to apply your knowledge for success in the field.

The Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies concentration is designed to provide a strong foundation in the development and dissemination of research to prepare students for successful academic and industry careers. Courses focus on primary concepts in the study of consumer, apparel, and retailing, integrating perspectives from the social sciences, business, and humanities. Through the broad range of research expertise among faculty members, students will learn to apply relevant theories and methods to address topics of importance to the field.

This program of study leading up to the Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a minimum of 45 hours (75 beyond the bachelor’s) and the completion of a dissertation.

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Have you ever thought about teaching at the college level?

Do you think you could make a career out of mentoring others and helping them achieve their career goals? Do you want to research topics of interest to consumers and industry? If you already have a master’s degree, this PhD program will give you exactly the preparation you need to pursue a rewarding, lifelong career in academia. In fact, most accredited colleges and universities expect job applicants to have a PhD. Position yourself as a leading candidate for excellent positions in higher education.

An established and highly-regarded program, the CARS concentration of the PhD in Business Administration is one of the oldest doctoral offerings on the UNCG campus. Students from our program who want to get an academic job can — and do. Our graduates have gone on to secure competitive, tenure-track positions in apparel programs at schools like Iowa State University, Texas Tech University, Louisiana State University, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, University of Missouri, Columbia, and many other attractive flagship universities.

Curriculum

The CARS concentration is innovative in its emphasis on preparing doctoral students to publish and evaluate research on a diverse array of topics. Built on a rigorous series of core courses in consumer, apparel, and retail studies, our curriculum includes both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. As you develop your research skills, you can also engage in a mentored teaching experience — both with guidance from faculty who are top scholars in the field.

Sample courses:

CRS-712: Theory Development in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies

Examination of business-related marketing theories. Analysis of marketing theories, models, and conceptual frameworks. Includes business-to-business, consumer, customer relationship and economic theories.

CRS-713: Qualitative Methodology in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies

Exploration of development and use of qualitative research methodology. Focus on application of the qualitative methodology to diverse research problems, data collection procedures, and analysis approaches.

CRS-721: Consumer Behavior in Apparel and Retailing

Current theories and research in consumer behavior. Application of consumer behavior models to apparel, apparel-related products and retailing through individualized research projects.

Preparing You To Be both a teacher and a scholar

While the program is versatile and many avenues will be open to you, if you imagine yourself as a university professor sharing your passion with future students, this Phd program is an outstanding course of study.

  • REPUTATION
    Take part in one of the oldest, most established PhD programs in the field.
  • SCHOLARSHIP
    Learn to conduct cutting-edge research alongside top scholars in the field.
  • PLACEMENT RATE
    Our PhD program has a 100% placement rate. Graduates go on to secure tenure-track jobs at colleges and universities throughout the US and abroad.
  • SUPPORT
    We are known for our supportive, accessible faculty as well as numerous peer mentoring opportunities such as our active Graduate Student Association.

Admission Requirements

The required documents for the application process include:

  • A completed master’s degree in Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies, a business field or a related area with superior performance in graduate coursework.
  • A current resume.
  • A one to two-page Goals Statement that should clearly:
    • Outline career goals, relevant work experience, and reason for pursuing a graduate degree.
    • Address why the Consumer, Apparel, and Retail Studies program is of interest, and include specific areas of research interest related to the department’s graduate program emphasis.
  • Three letters of reference, one should be written by a former instructor or academic contact.
  • If you received your master’s at an accredited institution in the U.S., English scores are not required.
  • *The requirements listed above are in addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School

Application Deadline

All applications are for fall admission and are due by April 1.

Priority Deadline is January 15.

Have Questions?

To learn more about this program please contact Dr. Jin Su at j_su@uncg.edu.

Jin Su
Dr. Jin Su

Associate Professor
Stone 214
j_su@uncg.edu

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