A private institution, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising has branches in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Irvine. The college offers certificate programs in costume design for theater and film and television. Both programs require students to have an associate's degree in a field like fashion design or visual communications. The programs last nine months and require coursework in the history of costume and costume design. The theatrical program includes an internship, as well as a course in theater analysis. The film and television curriculum features courses in script analysis and the history of film, as well as the completion of two design projects.
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
919 South Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-624-1201
fidm.edu
Located in Valencia, California Institute of the Arts is a private, nonsectarian institution with more than 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students. The college grants a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in costume design. The four-year program focuses on theatrical design and requires coursework in costume techniques, the history of fashion, life drawing and painting. A three-year Master of Fine Arts program in theatrical costume design is also offered. Students have the opportunity to work as assistant and lead costume designers for the university's productions, as well as for local theater, like the Plaza de la Rasa. The school hosts exhibits of students' design works on an annual basis. Internships are available for baccalaureate students, as well as the chance to study abroad at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, Scotland.
California Institute of the Arts
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
661-255-1050
calarts.edu
A public institution, the University of California, Davis is home to more than 31,000 undergraduate and graduate students. In 2011, "U.S. News and World Report" ranked the college 39th among all universities in the United States in its "Best Colleges 2011" ratings. The college's Bachelor of Fine Arts in theater program allows students to specialize in costume design. As a part of the curriculum, students must also study theater history, acting, dance and directing. The curriculum includes courses not only in theatrical costuming, but also in creating designs for films. The university also grants a Master of Fine Arts degree program, which takes roughly two years to complete. Prior to graduation, master's students execute a formal design project, such as costuming an entire University of California, Davis production.
University of California, Davis
1 Shields Ave.
Davis, CA 95616
530-752-2971
ucdavis.edu