Curriculum
THE FASHION DESIGN MAJOR
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Fashion Design integrate conceptual, technical and production design knowledge and skills, leading to a synthesis of the design process from concept to production. These processes include color, design and trend research; technical sketching and rendered illustration; pattern-making and garment construction; analysis of appropriate fit and fabric selection; and the ability to communicate specifications for production using industry standards appropriate to specific markets.
The B.A. and B.F.A. degrees in Fashion Design prepare students for professional careers by developing technical competency, creative/independent problem solving and conceptual understanding necessary for the challenges of a career in the creative industries. Students in both degree programs will be required to develop portfolios for presentation at industry interviews and are prepared to be strongly competitive for an entry-level design position in the industry.
Prior to senior year, fashion design students will select to complete either the B.A. or B.F.A. degree.
B.A. Degree in Fashion Design
The B.A. degree in fashion design promotes an emphasis on the diversity of studio practice and liberal art experiences. Students have the option to select coursework offerings to gain expertise in a variety of specialties that connect directly to fashion design, such as wearable technology applications, garment knitting, illustration and/or accessory design.
View the Fashion Design, B.A. Catalog
B.F.A. DEGREE IN FASHION DESIGN
In the B.F.A. degree in fashion design, students engage in a focused-study thesis project (collection development) as a capstone experience that results in submitting their collection for formal review by faculty and industry designer-critics, followed by public presentation in a fashion venue.
View the Fashion Design, B.F.A. Catalog
THE FASHION MERCHANDISING MAJOR
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in fashion merchandising gives students a thorough background in the business aspects of the fashion industry, whereby they develop competencies in fashion theory; retail operations; management and buying; fashion forecasting and promotion; merchandising for apparel manufacturing; and the development and marketing of fashion goods.
Combined Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising(B.S)/Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Students in the Fashion Merchandising major have the opportunity to enroll in the combined degree program with the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree. The combined B.S./M.B.A. degree program allows high-achieving undergraduate students early admission into graduate school. Students enrolled in the combined degree program will complete a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate-level coursework for the M.B.A. degree during their senior year. This allows students to accelerate their completion of the M.B.A. degree after being awarded their undergraduate degree. Students complete a minimum of 150 credit hours (120 representing the B.S. degree in fashion merchandising and at least an additional 30 representing the M.B.A. degree). To be eligible for the combined program, students must first complete a minimum of 90 credit hours in the fashion merchandising degree with at least a 3.300 overall grade point average. Upon achieving these requirements, students submit an admissions application to the M.B.A. program by the set application deadline. Students need to satisfy all requirements for the admissions application, including the GMAT exam.
View the Fashion Merchandising, B.S. Catalog
The Fashion Media Minor
The Fashion Media Minor is open to Fashion Merchandising and majors from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Fashion students complete the media track in the minor to gain a better understanding of the media and publishing industry. Journalism and Mass Communication students complete the fashion track to gain a better understanding of the fashion industry and prepare for work in fashion publishing. As part of the fashion track, Journalism and Mass Communication students are required to participate in a study-away experience in New York City through the School of Fashion.