A public institution that is home to more than 20,000 students, Oregon State University offers a baccalaureate degree in apparel design that requires coursework in textiles, fashion trend analysis, quality assurance, global production of textiles, marketing, economics, draping, patterning, fashion history and computer-aided drafting. An internship is mandatory for all students. The university offers annual international travel experiences to Europe and Asia, giving students the opportunity to study fashion abroad. The department also sponsors a Fashion Club that allows for networking opportunities with alumni and industry leaders.
Oregon State University
104 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331
800-291-4192
oregonstate.edu
Among the programs Florida State University offers its more than 38,000 students is a fashion program that by combining the study of marketing, design and textiles seeks to provide students a well-rounded education in both business and fashion. Among the courses required for the baccalaureate degree are product development, costing and analysis, inventory analysis, quality assurance, trend analysis and branding. An internship in design, product development or retail merchandising is mandatory for all students. The university is also home to the Center for Retail Merchandising and Product Development, which hosts speaking events and networking evenings, and sponsors an international study program in Milan, Paris and London. A graduate certificate is offered for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in fashion or merchandising.
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306
850-644-6200
fsu.edu
A private, Roman Catholic institution with 3,500 students, Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in fashion design. The curriculum features classes in clothing construction, fashion illustration, clothing analysis, textile design, tailoring, design principles, drawing and product development. All students in the program undergo a portfolio review during their senior year. Also offered is a Bachelor of Arts in fashion merchandising, which includes classes in visual merchandising, fashion research, buying and clothing selection, and behavior. Merchandising seniors complete a senior thesis prior to graduation. All students in the fashion programs at Marymount complete an internship and participate in the school's annual fashion show either by submitting designs or planning for and producing the event. Fashion students have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad at the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
Marymount University
2807 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207
800-548-7638
marymount.edu
The Fashion Institute of Technology is in New York City, one of the largest centers for fashion in the United States. The public college opened in 1944 and has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students. The school offers both associate and bachelor's degrees in fashion design. Prior to admission to either program, students must complete a design test and submit a portfolio of artistic work. The baccalaureate design program requires students to specialize in children's wear, intimates, knitwear, special occasion apparel or sportswear. The program is offered as a traditional daytime as well as an evening or weekend-only course of study. Students at the Fashion Institute of Technology can study abroad in Florence and Milan, Italy, as well as a variety of other countries. The college also offers degree programs in fashion merchandising and jewelry and accessories design.
Fashion Institute of Technology
Seventh Avenue at 27th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-217-3760
fitsuny.edu
Situated in San Francisco, the Academy of Art University is a for-profit school. Among the programs available to the school's more than 9,000 students is a fashion design program that has been offered since 1929, making it one of the oldest of its kind in the United States. The program allows students to pursue a certificate, associate, baccalaureate or master's degree in the field. Areas of specialization available for students in the degree programs include general design, knitwear, merchandising, textiles and visual merchandising. Online degrees are also available in fashion at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. All students in the programs participate in fashion shows while studying at the Academy of Art.
Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
800-544-2787
academyart.edu