woman with manikins for clothing design

As a Fashion Merchandising major, emphasis will be on both the business and visual side of the fashion industry.   Learn and practice the skills used to develop successful merchandising plans based on evaluation of customer needs, markets, sales, and identification of environmental trends. Students can choose a course of study that is adapted to specific interests and job opportunities learning the necessary skills to assume positions in the industry or transfer to a 4-year fashion institution.

For more information about Fashion Studies, please visit the program page.

Degree Requirements

Field of Study Code: FASHI.AAS.MERCH

Program Requirements
FASHI 1531Business of Fashion3
FASHI 1430Fashion Styling I3
FASHI 1551Textiles for Fashion3
FASHI 1460Visual Merchandising I3
FASHI 1500Fashions' History3
FASHI 2435Quality Evaluation of Apparel3
FASHI 2445Brand Strategy for Fashion3
FASHI 2450Contemporary Retail for Fashion3
FASHI 2420Fashion Promotion3
FASHI 2440Fashion Trends and Forecasting3
Program Electives15
In addition to the courses above students will be required to take 15 additional credits from Fashion Studies, Business, Management or Marketing courses
General Education19-22
19-22 GenEd credits in addition to those courses listed above
Total Credits64-67

Suggested Semester Sequence

Please note: A student's readiness to perform college-level coursework is based on the student's placement test and/or ACT scores. Below 1000-level coursework may be required prior to the student taking courses in the suggested sequences.

This is a typical program map; please meet with a Faculty or Program Advisor to discuss the details.

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
FASHI 1531 Business of Fashion 3
FASHI 1460 Visual Merchandising I 3
FASHI 1551 Textiles for Fashion 3
Gen EdHumanities and Fine Arts 3
Gen EdCommunication (Speech) 3
 Credits15
Second Semester
FASHI 1430 Fashion Styling I 3
FASHI 1500 Fashions' History 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
ENGLI 1101
English Composition I
or Workplace Writing
3
 Credits15
Summer Semester
Gen EdMath or Science 3-5
 Credits3-5
Third Semester
FASHI 2450 Contemporary Retail for Fashion 3
FASHI 2445 Brand Strategy for Fashion 3
FASHI 2435 Quality Evaluation of Apparel 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
Gen EdMath or Science 4-5
 Credits16-17
Fourth Semester
FASHI 2440 Fashion Trends and Forecasting 3
FASHI 2420 Fashion Promotion 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
ElectiveProgram Elective 3
Gen EdSocial and Behavioral Sciences 3
 Credits15
 Total Credits64-67

Program Milestones

First Semester

  • Consider joining or visiting with a professional, cultural, or interest-based Student Club.

Second Semester

  • If you have not done so yet this semester, it is important to make an appointment with a Faculty or Program Advisor to discuss your future academic progress.