Students enrolled at Academy of Art University in San Francisco can complete an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in fashion merchandising online. Portfolios are required for master's degree applicants; but are not needed for admission to an undergraduate program. Students take courses that introduce them to the fashion business, visual merchandising, marketing and international retailing. Undergraduates take liberal arts courses as part of the degree requirements, while graduate fashion merchandising majors complete a self-directed study project along with advanced coursework in trend analysis and fashion marketing. Students communicate with classmates and professors with the help of Internet conferencing software as well as via e-mail and phone.
Academy of Art University
79 New Montgomery Street, 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105-3410
800-544-2787
academyart.edu
The associate's degree in fashion merchandising is the first to be offered completely online by New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). The program consists of courses in fashion business, advertising and fashion marketing during the first two semesters. The second year of the program teaches students about textiles, product development and reviews selected fashion marketing case studies. As part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, FIT also requires students to complete SUNY general education requirements in math, science and English. Upon graduation from the online degree program, students have the option to continue with on-campus study in several FIT programs, including cosmetics marketing, fabric styling, textile development and advertising. Online students at FIT submit weekly assignments via the Internet and participate in several web-based discussions each week.
Fashion Institute of Technology
Seventh Avenue at 27th Street
New York, NY 10001-5992
212-217-7999
fitnyc.edu
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh offers an online bachelor's degree in fashion and retail management, which prepares graduates for careers as visual merchandisers, department store buyers or stylists. Students take required courses in fashion history, merchandise management, international marketing and product development. Electives in multimedia and e-commerce and liberal arts classes round out the bachelor's degree curriculum. Prospective students can "test drive" a course via an online class demo.
Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division
420 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1301
412-263-6600
aionline.edu