Tarlton is head, general reference services, and LaBrecque is dean, School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. Since 1988, home furnishings merchandising has emerged as a new field of study for students interested in retailing and other business applications related to residential interior design. This major is unique from traditional interior design programs in its strong emphasis on business and interpersonal skills in addition to design skills necessary for success. Home furnishings merchandising graduates have many career opportunities and are able to obtain relevant positions after they graduate with bachelor's degrees. This field offers varied career options for graduates with numerous job titles in wholesaling, retailing, real estate, or related areas. Retailing can be in department stores, furniture stores, home improvement stores, specialty stores, mass merchants, malls, and direct marketing. Wholesaling can be in market centers in sales, management, or marketing. Real estate can be in the area of model homes interior design and sales, in historic preservation, or in remodeling and refurbishing existing homes. Merchandising can be defined as that part of marketing which covers the selection, packaging, pricing, promotion, and display of goods, as well as the planning of quantities to be purchased and the timing of their delivery. 1 Home furnishings merchandising as a field of study depends on literature in furniture design and production, home accessories, textiles, space planning, history of furniture, principles of design and lighting, consumer behavior, merchandising, marketing, finance, and management.