The Fashion and Beauty Communications milestone at Syracuse University offers a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the dynamic world of Fashion Beauty. This specialized program, a collaboration between the renowned Newhouse School of Public Communications and the College of Visual and Performing Arts, prepares students for careers as mass media or fashion design specialists. This interdisciplinary approach allows students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the fashion beauty landscape, encompassing communications, design, and cultural impact.
This collaborative program leverages the strengths of two leading schools to provide a rich and comprehensive educational experience. Students can specialize in either mass media or fashion design, gaining a deep understanding of their chosen field while also exploring the intersection of fashion and beauty communications. This cross-disciplinary approach allows students to develop a unique skillset that is highly valued in today’s competitive industries.
The curriculum comprises one required course, Beauty & Diversity in Fashion Media, which delves into the complex issues surrounding diversity and beauty ideals. Students then choose four electives from a range of courses, including History of Fashion, Visual Thinking, Fashion and Beauty Advertising, Interactive Fashion Communications, Producing the Fashion Video, Fashion and Beauty Journalism, and Sustainability and Fashion. This flexible curriculum allows students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals within the fashion beauty realm.
The program culminates in a practicum project during the senior year. Students propose and execute a project that showcases their acquired knowledge and skills. Past projects have included creating fashion publications, producing fashion shows, coordinating fashion film series, planning guest speaker events, curating gallery exhibits, developing social media content, and conducting research.
In addition to their major and minor, students earn a distinction in Fashion and Beauty Communications upon completion of the program. While not officially appearing on transcripts, this distinction serves as a valuable credential, demonstrating expertise in the field to potential employers. Students are encouraged to highlight this accomplishment on their resumes and during job interviews.
The program requires the completion of five courses from the approved Fashion and Beauty Communications list, a final practicum project, and attendance at the annual April Practicum Day, where seniors present their work. Prospective students are advised to consult with their academic advisor to ensure the program aligns with their academic requirements. Applications are accepted each semester, in late September/early October for fall admission (sophomores only) and in February for spring admission (freshmen and sophomores).
The program is led by co-directors Harriet Brown from the Newhouse School and ChaCha Hudson from the College of Visual and Performing Arts, with support from Anthony Ho of the Newhouse School. This leadership team ensures the program remains at the forefront of fashion beauty education and provides students with the guidance and mentorship needed to succeed in this exciting field. Interested students can contact [email protected] for more information.
