Cody Martin (B.S. 2007) is the product development coordinator for Arteriors Home, Dallas, Texas.

The home furnishings industry is a dynamic, multi-billion-dollar business. A degree in home furnishings merchandising can lead to careers in this multi-faceted industry including product development, manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing. Additional career options include working with department and furniture stores, home centers and home builders, as manufacturers' sales representatives or as showroom managers.

Many graduates of UNT's program work in home centers for major national retailers. Other alumni own their own businesses or work in wholesale showrooms or at specialty companies such as Drexel Heritage, Peacock Alley, Ethan Allen Interiors and The Kitchen Source.

Merchandising faculty members work closely with Dallas-Fort Worth industry executives to ensure the UNT program meets the evolving needs of this fast-paced field. The J.C. Penney lecture series brings top level executives to campus and area experts are frequent guest lecturers in classrooms. In addition, professional development events, such as the Merchandising Expo, bring recruiters from major companies to highlight career opportunities.

The classroom is extended beyond the Denton campus when students enroll in academic courses to study the New York or Dallas market centers. Study abroad programs in Hong Kong and China offer a unique three-week living and learning experience.

To recognize students’ scholastic achievements, scholarships are available to UNT home furnishings majors based on academic excellence, articulation of professional goals, extracurricular involvement, and letters of recommendation.