Fashion Merchandising Schools are your gateway to a thrilling career blending creativity and business savvy, especially if you are keen to make your mark on men’s fashion. On mens-fashion.net, you will find details of the best schools and the essential skills to conquer the industry. These schools prepare you to thrive in a field that blends artistic vision with market strategy.
Table of Contents
1. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), NY
2. Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), GA
3. Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), CA
4. Drexel University, PA
5. The New School Parsons, NY
6. LIM College, NY
7. Kent State University, OH
8. Marist College, NY
9. Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson University, PA
10. Colorado State University, CO
11. Cornell University, NY
12. Moore College of Art & Design, PA
13. New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, NY
14. Academy of Art University, CA
15. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
16. West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia
17. Miami International University of Art & Design, FL
18. North Carolina State University, NC
19. University of Delaware, DE
20. Auburn University, AL
21. Baylor University, TX
22. Berkeley College, NY
23. California State – Los Angeles, CA
24. Central Michigan University, MI
25. Delaware State University, DE
26. East Carolina University, NC
27. Indiana University, IN
28. Iowa State University, IA
29. Marymount University, VA
30. University of Georgia, GA
31. University of South Carolina, SC
32. Ball State University, IN
33. California College of the Arts, CA
34. Eastern Michigan University, MI
35. Florida State University, FL
36. Fontbonne University, MA
37. Georgia Southern University, GA
38. Illinois State University, IA
39. Immaculata University, PA
40. Massachusetts College of Art & Design, MA
41. Mercyhurst University, PA
42. Mississippi State University, MS
43. University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC
44. Oklahoma State University, OK
45. San Francisco State University, CA
46. University of North Texas, TX
47. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
48. Stephens College, MO
49. University of Minnesota, MN
50. University of Missouri, MO
51. FAQ
52. Conclusion
1. What is Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), NY?
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a leading institution for fashion education. Founded in 1944, FIT is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and boasts over 9,000 students. The college offers 37 majors and 12 certificate programs spread across five schools. These encompass the School of Art and Design, the Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology, the School of Liberal Arts, the School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Each of these schools offers programs for aspiring designers.
FIT’s School of Art and Design is particularly noted for its comprehensive fashion programs. In 2018, FIT gained accreditation for its business programs from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. Less than half of U.S. higher education institutions with business schools achieve this recognition. Within the Baker School of Business and Technology, programs in Marketing Communications, Cosmetics & Fragrance Marketing, Fashion Business Management, Home Products Development, International Trade and Marketing for Fashion Industries, Production Management: Fashion & Related Industries, and Textile Development & Marketing have all received accreditation.
Students at FIT can pursue various degree levels, including AAS, BFA, BS, MA, and MPS. The institute also offers one- and two-year options for AAS students, as well as credit and non-credit certificates. For fashion design students pursuing an AAS degree, there is an international option in Florence, while knitwear and sportswear students have access to an option in Milan/New York for their Baccalaureate degree.
AAS degree programs for aspiring fashion designers include Accessories Design, Fashion Design, Illustration – Fashion and General Illustration options, Jewelry Design, Menswear, Textile Development and Marketing, and Textile/Surface Design. Baccalaureate (BFA and BS) degree programs include Accessories Design, Fabric Styling, Fashion Design (Children’s Wear, Intimate Apparel, Knitwear, Special Occasion, and Sportswear, and Knitwear options), Technical Design, Textile Development and Marketing, and Textile/Surface Design.
Graduate programs for aspiring fashion designers include an MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice, and credit Certificate programs such as CAD for Fashion Design – Art, Draping, Gemology, Haute Couture, Ladies Tailoring, Leather Apparel, Millinery, and Patternmaking. Minors are available in Ethics and Sustainability, and Fashion Studies. Non-credit Certificates include Computer Essentials for Fashion Design, Fashion Styling, Wardrobe Technician and Costume Design Specialist, and Certified Technical Designer.
All FIT Fashion Design students have the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, London, Milan, Nottingham, England, Melbourne, Australia, or Hong Kong. Students can also intern at local, national, or international companies. Additionally, all students may participate in the Annual FIT Fashion Show.
2. What is Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), GA?
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a well-known institution for art and design education. Founded in 1978, SCAD has grown to host nearly 11,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The college offers 40 undergraduate degree programs, 61 graduate degree programs, and 77 minors. With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and Lacoste, France, SCAD provides a variety of programs for aspiring fashion designers.
SCAD offers degree programs in Accessory Design, Fashion, Fashion Marketing and Management, Fibers, Jewelry, Luxury and Fashion Management, and the newest offering, Business of Beauty and Fragrance. According to SCAD, the college offers the largest jewelry and fiber programs in the United States, the first MFA in accessory design in the world, the first graduate-level luxury and fashion management program, and the first business of beauty and fragrance program in the U.S. SCAD holds the record as the university with the most wins at the YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund awards, and SCAD students have been awarded multiple International Design Awards (IDA) bronze, silver, and gold awards.
Students can also earn their MA in Luxury and Fashion Management and MA and MFA in Fashion online through SCAD eLearning. According to the school, “SCAD is the first art and design university to receive the Instructional Technology Council’s award for Outstanding Distance Education Program and the rank of Excellence in Institution-Wide Online Teaching and Learning from the Sloan Consortium.”
Other Fashion Program highlights include SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film on the Atlanta campus, the university’s annual shows and events including SCAD Fashion and SCAD Style, SCADpro industry design studios, master class series, and internship opportunities with national and global fashion brands and innovators. These offerings provide SCAD students with unparalleled industry access, enhancing their educational experience.
3. What is Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), CA?
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) is a prominent institution for fashion education. Founded in 1969, FIDM is home to 5,300 students and 300 faculty members. The school’s advisory board includes industry leaders such as Fred Segal, Diane von Furstenberg, Tim Gunn, and Emanuel Ungaro. With four Southern California campus locations in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and Irvine, the school is an attractive place to study fashion.
FIDM offers 26 creative majors leading to an AA, BA, or BS in fashion, graphics, interior design, or entertainment. Degree programs for aspiring fashion designers include a BA in Design, a BS in Apparel Technical Design, and AA degrees in Fashion Design, Fashion Knitwear Design, Jewelry Design, Merchandise Product Development, and Textile Design. Associate of Arts Advanced Study Programs (ADV) include Advanced Fashion Design, Film and TV Costume Design, Footwear Design, International Manufacturing & Product Development, Menswear, and Textile Production and Development.
Fashion students can collaborate on special ‘Industry Partner Projects’ with brands like Nike, Murad, Athleta, Signal Snowboards, Lacoste, GUESS, and TOMS. Part-time work and internships with companies like J Brand Jeans, Stila, Topshop, Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, and Adidas are an integral part of the curriculum. There are also annual study tours to fashion capitals such as New York, Paris, London, Rome, and Milan. Students may also participate in the annual DEBUT Runway Show.
4. What is Drexel University, PA?
Drexel University was founded in 1891 by Philadelphia financier and philanthropist Anthony J. Drexel. Originally named the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, the school now hosts 25,595 students. These students are enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools. The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design houses the Department of Fashion, Product and Design & Merchandising.
The Department offers several programs for aspiring fashion designers, including a BS and an MS in Fashion Design. Students can enhance their degree with a Minor in Retail, administered by the Design & Merchandising (D&M) program. According to Drexel, the Minor “provides basic foundations in retail operations, buying and merchandise planning and e-commerce.” A BS in D&M is also available.
Fashion design students have access to studios and specialized labs at the school’s URBN Center and the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection (FHCC). Students may also enroll in the study abroad program, which includes locations such as London (London College of Fashion), England, and Florence. Additionally, students can submit their creations to national and international competitions each year. Upon completion of the program, they have the opportunity to showcase their final collections in the Department’s Annual Fashion Show. The 2018 show was held at the headquarters for Urban Outfitters and featured designs from 34 separate designers in collaboration with several other Drexel University departments.
5. What is The New School Parsons, NY?
The New School was founded in 1896 by American Impressionist William Merritt Chase. Initially known as The Chase School, it later became the New York School of Fine and Applied Art. Today, The New School/Parsons is home to over 10,000 students. These students are enrolled in 138 degree programs, diploma programs and majors, and more than 50 minors across five colleges. These colleges include the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts, College of Performing Arts, Schools of Public Engagement, The New School for Social Research, and Parsons School of Design.
Located in New York City, a major world fashion hub, Parsons’ students have access to resources, events, and people that are unattainable in many other parts of the country. The Parsons School of Design consists of six separate schools: the School of Art & Design History and Theory, the School of Art, Media and Technology, the School of Design Strategies, the School of Constructed Environments, the School of Fashion, and Parsons Paris.
Options for aspiring fashion designers include a Certificate, AAS and BFA degrees in Fashion Design, an AAS in Fashion Marketing, a BFA Integrated Studies, an MA in Fashion Studies, and an MFA in Textiles or Fashion Design and Society. AAS students study Accessories Design, Drawing, Fashion, Materials and Fabrication, Sustainable Design, and Textiles. BFA students also study Accessories Design, Drawing, Fashion, and Sustainable Design, as well as Fashion History, Theory, and Criticism, Materials and Fabrication, and Textiles. BFA Fashion students have the opportunity to complete the program at Parsons Paris.
BFA in Integrated Studies students can study everything from Fashion and Textiles to Urban Design. MA in Fashion Studies students can study Branding, Fashion and Textiles, and Materials and Fabrication. The MFA in Fashion Design and Society highlights Fashion, Fashion History, Materials and Fabrication, Physical Computing/Wearable Technology, Sustainable Design, Textiles, and Design Research.
All programs offer the opportunity to study at Parsons Paris, participate in the Annual Fashion Show, and work with 560—the Parsons School of Design magazine. Notable program alumni include Anna Sui, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, Isaac Mizrahi, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, and Narciso Rodriguez.
6. What is LIM College, NY?
LIM College was founded by Maxwell F. Marcuse in 1939 as the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM). The school became LIM College in 2009 and currently has around 1,800 students. These students are enrolled in associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in fashion-focused majors.
There are a variety of programs for aspiring fashion merchandisers, including Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS), Associate in Occupational Studies (AOS), Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS), and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degrees in Fashion Merchandising. Bachelor of Science degrees (BS) are available in International Business & Fashion Media. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBAs) in Visual Studies, Marketing, Management, & the Business of Fashion are also offered.
Graduate offerings include Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degrees in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management, Fashion Marketing, the Business of Fashion, and Global Fashion Supply Chain Management.
Among the minors offered are Beauty, Digital Business, Event Planning, Fashion Styling, Interior & Home Concepts, Photo Styling & Set Design, Digital Design & Photography, Global Studies, and Sustainability.
Program highlights include participation in the Annual Fashion Show, optional membership in the Fashion Show Production Club, the Fashion Styling Club and other organizations, and study abroad opportunities on four continents.
7. What is Kent State University, OH?
Kent State University (KSU), founded in 1910, hosts more than 23,000 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The school offers 300 degree programs across 11 colleges and the School of Digital Sciences. The College of the Arts is home to the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising, also known as “The Fashion School.”
The school offers BA and BFA degrees in Fashion Design, a BFA in Crafts (Jewelry and Metals or Textile Arts), an MA in Fine Arts (Fashion), and an MFA in Design/Technology – Costume Design. Minors in Accessories, Textiles, Costume Design Technology, and Fashion Media are also available. The College of Business Administration offers an MBA with a Concentration in Fashion Design and Merchandising.
All fashion students can participate in The Fashion School’s Annual Fashion Show—FS2: Alchemy, which recently featured 96 single garments and 27 total collections. A total crew of nearly 300 people worked to put on the show. Students also participate in a variety of international programs. According to the school, “study tours to Europe and Asia are offered on a regular basis.” Fashion capitals such as Florence, Paris, London, and Hong Kong are often included.
The Fashion School has a studio located in New York’s Fashion District. According to the School, the NYC Studio “provides full-semester academic programs for Kent State fashion students in the Fall, Spring, or Summer terms. Guest students, studying fashion at their home school, may also attend the program during Summer Session.”
8. What is Marist College, NY?
Marist College was founded in 1929 and hosts more than 6,500 students. These students are enrolled in over 140 degree programs and minors across seven schools. The School of Communication and the Arts offers several programs for aspiring fashion designers, including a BFA in Fashion Design and a BS in Fashion Merchandising with a Product Development Concentration. Marist College Fashion Program offers a Masters of Science degree in Global Fashion Merchandising in collaboration with Mod-Spe Paris, the Fashion Business School.
Short-term studies to Europe and Asia and full semester abroad studies in London, Paris, Florence, and Hong Kong enhance the students’ education. Fashion Design majors can also earn their degree in Florence, Italy, or choose a Minor in Merchandising or Product Development.
Marist’s strength in internship placement and depth of internship opportunities comes from its proximity to New York City. In the fashion capital of the world, students have access to various work environments. Fashion students have completed internships at companies such as Michael Kors, BCBG, Chanel, Harper’s Bazaar, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Ross Stores, and Ralph Lauren and the Silver Needle Runway Show.
The School of Communication and the Arts encourages all students to complete two internships, giving them a strong advantage in job opportunities. Fashion Program alumni have been hired by companies such as Ann Taylor, BCBG, Chanel, Donna Karan, GAP, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, MTV, Perry Ellis, Saks Fifth Avenue, Tahari, and Tory Burch.
9. What is Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson University, PA?
In 2017, Philadelphia University merged with Thomas Jefferson University (PhilaU), another local Philadelphia, Pennsylvania institution. The new combined school is called Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson University was founded in 1824, and Philadelphia University was founded in 1884. Both focused on the importance of experiential learning. The new Jefferson was established on July 1, 2017.
Within Jefferson, the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce remains. Kanbar was retained as a legacy college from the days of PhilaU and still houses the School of Design and Engineering and the School of Business. The School of Design and Engineering offers several undergraduate and advanced degree programs for aspiring fashion designers, including BS degrees in Fashion Design, Textile Design, and Textile Materials Technology. MS degrees are available in Global Fashion Enterprise, Textile Design, and Textile Engineering, as well as a PhD in Textile Engineering and Sciences.
Program highlights include internships with companies such as Vogue, Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, Urban Outfitters and Abercrombie & Fitch, and study abroad opportunities in London, Rome, Hong Kong, Seoul, Melbourne, Dominican Republic, Scotland, New Zealand, and Denmark. Students also have access to PhilaU’s Historic Textile and Costume Collection and specialized spaces for individual programs, including engineering labs, fashion design studios, textile studios with state-of-the-art machinery, and industrial design studios. The Textile and Costume Collection features museum-quality garments, accessories, and textiles as sources of design inspiration for the modern-day design and product-development process.
10. What is Colorado State University, CO?
Colorado State University (CSU), founded in 1870 and located in Fort Collins, hosts over 33,000 students. These students are enrolled in over 150 degree programs across 14 colleges and schools. The College of Health and Human Sciences houses the Design and Merchandising Program. Degree offerings for aspiring fashion designers include a BS in Apparel and Merchandising – Apparel Design and Production, and an MS in Design and Merchandising – Apparel and Merchandising. A Minor concentration is also available in Merchandising. Students pursuing a B.S. in Apparel and Merchandising are exposed to product design and development, promotion, distribution, and retailing, and consumer behavior in global environments. Specific concentrations are available in Apparel Design and Production, Merchandising, and Product Development.
The College of Liberal Arts, Department of Art and Art History, has several additional offerings for fashion students, including a BA in Studio, BFA in Studio Art, MA, and MFA degrees with a Concentration in Fibers or Jewelry and Metalsmithing.
Apparel Design students have opportunities beyond on-campus academics. They can participate in the internship program and study abroad in Italy, France, Peru, Ghana, and Australia. Some have also participated in Semester at Sea, which typically enrolls over 600 students from over 250 colleges and universities. They can also work with artifacts and collections at the Avenir Museum of Design and Merchandising (formerly the Historic Costume & Textiles Collection). Special collections include designer garments from Calvin Klein, James Galanos, Carolina Herrera, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Versace, as well as ethnographic holdings and The Ruth Payne Hellmann Lace Collection, which features over 1,500 pieces of historic lace and lacemaking tools.
11. What is Cornell University, NY?
Cornell University, founded in 1865, established the first four-year schools of hotel administration and industrial and labor relations. It awarded the world’s first degree in journalism and the first doctorates in electrical and industrial engineering. Today, it hosts nearly 22,000 students and offers 80 undergraduate majors, 90 minors, and 108 graduate fields of study across 14 colleges and schools and 100 academic departments.
The College of Human Ecology, Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design (FSAD), offers fashion programs that combine “design, art, biology, chemistry, engineering and social science concepts and methods.” These programs aim to “effect change in design, in materials, in people’s health and well-being, in manufacturing, in economic vitality, and in the environment.” Undergraduate offerings include BS degrees in Fashion Design, Fiber Science, Fashion Design Management, and a Dual Degree.
The Dual Degree Program allows students to earn a BFA and a BA from the College of Arts and Sciences, a BS from the College of Human Ecology, or a BS from the College of Engineering. A Minor in Fiber Science is also available. Graduate offerings include MA and PhD degrees in Apparel Design, MS and PhD degrees in Fiber Science, and an MPS in Human Ecology. The MPS program offers a Focus (graduate field) in Fiber Science and Apparel Design.
The Department of FSAD maintains the Cornell Costume and Textile Collection, which features “more than 10,000 items of apparel dating from the eighteenth century to the present, as well as a substantial collection of ethnographic textiles and costume.” The Department also houses the Cornell Institute of Fashion and Fiber Innovation (CIFFI), established to “advance knowledge and foster collaborations between academia and industry in the areas of fashion design, marketing and culture, fiber science, technology, and materials testing.”
FSAD students can compete for the Cornell Design Award and display their collections at the Cornell Fashion Collective Runway Show. The 2018 show, the 34th running, involved nearly 150 students, with 29 student designers.
12. What is Moore College of Art & Design, PA?
Moore College of Art & Design, founded in 1848, is the first and only visual arts college for women in the U.S. The school hosts 440 students enrolled in 10 majors leading to a BFA. Moore also offers five graduate programs, certificate programs, and 17 tracks leading to one of 11 minors to complement the major courses of study. Offerings for aspiring fashion designers include a BFA and a Minor in Fashion Design, and a Certificate in Fashion Studies with two tracks: Apparel Construction and Technical Design.
Program highlights include opportunities to work several shows during NYC Fashion Week (both paid and unpaid internships) at major companies such as Ana Sui, Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Halston, Marc Jacobs, Nordstrom, Rag & Bone, and Zac Posen, and participation in the Annual Fashion Show. Students may also participate in the “Fashion Critic Program,” which allows them to work with a designer from the fashion industry. This ensures the students’ creations are “professional and marketable.”
Graduates of the Fashion Program at Moore College of Art have worked for major designers and companies such as Adrienne Vittadini, Anne Klein Studio, Badgley Mischka, Fila, Jones New York, Liz Claiborne, Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger, and Urban Outfitters. Dom Streater, a ‘10 alum, won season 12 of Project Runway.
13. What is New York University – Steinhardt School of Culture, NY?
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is a private university in New York City and the secondary liberal arts and education school of New York University. Established in 1890, the Steinhardt School offers bachelor’s, master’s, advanced certificates, and doctoral degrees in applied psychology, art, education, health, media, and music. Over 2,500 undergraduates are enrolled, and with more than 3,300 graduate students, Steinhardt is the largest graduate school in NYU.
Steinhardt offers a Master of Arts in Costume Studies and a dual master’s degree combining Costume Studies and Library Science. Costume Studies includes courses in exhibition and museum topics, art theory and criticism, and decorative arts, as well as fieldwork and research. Faculty teach courses in costume and textile history and expose students to unique collections of costumes and accessories at leading institutions throughout New York. Graduates of the MA Costume Studies and Library Science dual degree may find careers as specialists/scholar-librarians in academic and research institutions or archivists in libraries, museums, publishing houses, and fashion companies.
In addition to regular coursework, students complete an internship. Past internships have been offered at cultural institutions in New York, including the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, and the New-York Historical Society. Internship coordinators assist in securing internships with respected museums, fashion designers, design firms, and magazines. Steinhardt’s students gain practical experience, professional contacts, and a unique perspective on possible careers in the art world via these internships.
14. What is Academy of Art University, CA?
Academy of Art University was established in 1929. The school, which had a 2016 fall enrollment of 7,959 students, offers programs in art and design. The School of Fashion offers programs for aspiring fashion designers, including an AA in Fashion, a BFA in Fashion with an Emphasis in Fashion Design, Textile Design, or Knitwear Design, BFA degrees in Fashion Product Development and Costume Design, a Certificate in Fashion, and an Online Award of Completion in Fashion Design. A BA degree in Fashion Journalism is also offered. Graduate offerings include MFA degrees in Fashion, Costume Design, Fashion Product Development, Knitwear Design, Textile Design & Fashion Merchandising and Management.
According to the Academy, fashion students have access to facilities that feature “the same leading-edge equipment and resources that top fashion houses enjoy.” Internship opportunities are available, as well as the opportunity to participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City and the Annual Graduation Fashion Show in San Francisco. According to the Academy, “the show has been heralded as the ‘Fashion Week of San Francisco’ by both local and national members of the fashion industry.
Graduates of the Academy of Art University have been hired at major companies such as Gap, Kate Spade, Levi Strauss & Co., Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Adidas, Ralph Lauren, and others.
15. What is Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio?
Ohio State University (OSU) is home to the College of Education and Human Ecology, which houses the Department of Human Sciences (DHS). The Department has programs for aspiring fashion merchandisers, including a BS in Fashion and Retail Studies with a Specialization in Merchandising or Product Development, and MS or PhD degrees in Consumer Sciences with a Concentration in Fashion and Retail Studies.
Program highlights include participation in the Fashion Production Association, the opportunity to volunteer at the Historic Costume and Textiles Collection, internship opportunities, study abroad experiences from China to Thailand, and the opportunity to work with OSU’s fashion publication—Scarlette Magazine. Students benefit from the Fashion and Retail Studies Speaker Series with guests such as Ed Razek, executive producer of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and chief marketing officer of Limited Brands, and Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy’s Inc.
Merchandising students can travel to New York City to attend the National Retail Federation’s annual student event. This event offers networking opportunities with retail professionals and recruiters that do not routinely recruit at OSU. Graduates of the program have been hired by companies such as Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, L Brands, Macy’s, Anthropologie, Chico’s and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Ohio State University was established in 1870 and hosts over 66,000 students enrolled in over 485 majors and degrees across 15 colleges and schools.
16. What is West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia?
West Virginia University (WVU), Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, & Design, houses the Division of Design & Merchandising. Degree offerings for aspiring fashion designers include a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) with a Fashion Design Track and an MS in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM). Students looking to enhance their education and career opportunities might consider the Minor in Fashion Merchandising or Family and Consumer Science. The Minor in Family and Consumer Science offers the opportunity to study Fashion Design, Interior Design, and Merchandising.
Although WVU’s Study Abroad program is not a requirement for Fashion students, (it is for Interior Design students), the College encourages participation. Disegno Italia is WVU’s signature 4-week, 6-credit, summer program in Milan and Tuscany. Students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year are eligible to apply.
West Virginia University (WVU) sits on a 1,456-acre campus in Morgantown, West Virginia—rated the 12th overall “Hottest Small City” by Inc. The school’s main campus hosts 29,466 students from every state, all 55 West Virginia counties, and 113 nations. The entire WVU System enrolls 32,348 students and offers 191 degree programs across 17 colleges and schools, including Potomac State College of WVU and WVU Institute of Technology.
17. What is Miami International University of Art & Design, FL?
Miami International University of Art & Design (MIU) is one of The Art Institutes, a system of nonprofit schools throughout the United States. It was originally established in 1965 as The International Fine Arts College. Today, the school hosts more than 2,000 students from over 60 countries and offers programs in Design, Fashion, and Media Arts. Located in downtown Miami, a modern, cosmopolitan and multicultural city, it offers students an opportunity to explore, participate, and contribute to their life experience. MIU encompasses a diverse population and provides a live medium to expand culture and knowledge.
Programs for aspiring fashion designers include AA degrees in Fashion Design, AA in Accessory Design, or a BFA in Fashion Design. MIU offers those with more interest in the business of fashion either an AA or a BA in Fashion Merchandising. All students have access to Miami’s thriving fashion scene and campus amenities, such as multiple studios, 20 computer labs and classrooms, lecture rooms, a library and media center, an 800 square foot Main Gallery, student lounges, and a top-rated Career Services Department. The Department hosts a quarterly job fair and attracts local, regional, and nationwide companies.
18. What is North Carolina State University, NC?
North Carolina State University (NC State) has been in existence since 1887. The school hosts nearly 34,000 students enrolled in more than 300 degree programs across 12 colleges and 65 academic departments. The College of Textiles houses the Department of Textile and Apparel Technology and Management (TATM). The Department offers programs for aspiring fashion designers. The schools embrace innovation and include online study options for students.
Undergraduate offerings include a BS in Fashion and Textile Design and a BS in Fashion and Textile Management with a Concentration in Fashion Development and Product Management. Graduate offerings include both a Master of Textiles (MT) and an MS in Textiles. Design Specializations include Textile and Fashion Design, and Textile Technology.
TATM fashion students have access to spacious studios outfitted with the latest technology to design textile products and fabrics, as well as prototypes. Students can participate in TATM’s “study abroad-friendly” semester in their junior year, which prevents students from falling behind in their classes. Study abroad locations include France, the Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Australia, and India.
19. What is University of Delaware, DE?
The University of Delaware (UD) was chartered in 1833 and currently hosts over 20,000 students. These students are enrolled in over 300 degree programs across seven schools. Within the College of Arts & Sciences, the Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies (FAS) hosts approximately 400 undergraduate majors, split between studies in Apparel Design and Fashion Merchandising. The department also offers minors in Fashion History and Culture, Fashion Management, and Sustainable Apparel and Textile Innovation. In the area of graduate studies, the department offers a Master of Science in Fashion and Apparel Studies with thesis and professional project options. There is also an online graduate certificate program in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business. This award-winning degree addresses labor and environmental problems in the global supply chains for the apparel, textile, and footwear industries.
Program highlights include the opportunity to complete an internship at home, overseas, or both, and the UD Visiting Student Program. This “cooperative arrangement between the University of Delaware (UD) and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)” allows students to attend FIT for one year and apply coursework towards the BS program at UD. The Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies introduced its first Fashion Week. Students can participate in Fashion Week, as well as the annual Synergy Fashion Group Student Fashion Show.
20. What is Auburn University, AL?
Auburn University, based in Auburn, Alabama, was established in 1856. In 1872, the school became the first land-grant college in the South. Today, the school hosts nearly 30,000 students enrolled in over 140 degree options across 13 colleges and schools. Within the university, the College of Human Sciences has the Department of Consumer & Design Sciences (CADS).
CADS offers a BS in Apparel Merchandising, Design and Production Management with an Apparel Design and Production Management Option (BS-APDP). For aspiring students, they offer graduate degrees, including both Master of Science and Ph.D. in Consumer and Design Sciences. There’s even an Accelerated BS/MS program with specialization areas in design of interiors and apparel.
Apparel Design students can intern at local retailers and design houses, as well as study in New York (IQLA New York Study Tour) or abroad. Study abroad locations include Italy, London, Fiji, Jordan, Peru, and South Africa. CADS curriculum takes an integrated approach to studying apparel throughout the production supply chain and provides students with the education and experiences to become valued members of firms throughout the apparel and related industries. In addition to academics, the program supports entry-level placement in the apparel industry, as well as advancement throughout the graduates’ careers.
21. What is Baylor University, TX?
Chartered in 1845, Baylor University hosts 16,787 students enrolled in over 250 degree programs across nine colleges and schools. The Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences houses the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences, which offers one program for aspiring fashion designers: a BS in Apparel Design & Product Development, as well as a BS in Apparel Merchandising.
The Apparel Design program provides a “diversified educational experience, encompassing academic excellence in a Christian environment that prepares students to enter the apparel industry profession.” The program offers participation in the Annual Baylor Fashion Show, which takes place at the end of spring semester each year. Field experiences include trips to Dallas Market, Studios of Apparel Designers, Apparel Manufacturing Firms, and FGI Dallas Career Day, held at the Apparel Mart.
The Apparel Merchandising program at Baylor focuses on developing skills, including communication, analytical thinking, teamwork, and ethical behavior. These skills help graduates apply management, marketing theory, and business principles to the global apparel industry.
22. What is Berkeley College, NY?
Founded in 1931, Berkeley College is a private for-profit college with campuses in New York and New Jersey. With a total enrollment of approximately 3,800 students, Berkeley provides opportunities for students to succeed in the fashion industry. Through their Fashion Merchandising and Management degree programs, students focus on the business side of the fashion industry and are trained in all aspects of the global fashion supply chain.
Berkeley emphasizes the importance of business and fashion, offering students a choice between a Fashion Merchandising and Management Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) and a Fashion Merchandising and Management Bachelor of Business Administration Degree (B.B.A.).
Berkeley students are provided with an in-depth experience of the fashion business industry and have access to industry experts as guest speakers and at special industry-related events. Through internships or job-related assignments, Berkeley students are well prepared after graduation.
23. What is California State – Los Angeles, CA?
California State University – Los Angeles (Cal State LA or CSU LA) was founded in 1947 as Los Angeles State College. The school hosts nearly 28,000 students enrolled in hundreds of programs across eight colleges. The College of Arts & Letters houses the Department of Art, which offers programs for aspiring fashion merchandisers, including a BA in Art
