Administered by the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management. Leading to the degree Bachelor of Science.
Total credits required: 123 including a minimum of 18 credits in FDM at Iowa State University for the degree (12 of the 18 credits must be at the 3000-4000 level). The major in Fashion Design and Merchandising provides a broad-based program of study with flexibility in creating program options. Courses are required in general education and the apparel industry professional core. To complete the program, a student selects a primary option from Creative and Technical Design, Product Development and Innovation, Merchandising and Retail Analytics, or Fashion Communications.
Available options include two minors— (a) Fashion Design and Merchandising, and (b) Textile Science and Product Performance—and one certificate in Merchandising.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- Communication. Use clear and effective written, oral, verbal and electronic (WOVE) communication techniques to foster inquiry, collaboration, and engagement in apparel and related industries.
- Self-assessment/self-reflection. Analyze and evaluate one’s own knowledge, abilities, and actions relative to professional standards, seek opportunities to grow professionally, and utilize self-assessment and assessment of others to foster psychological, cognitive, social and emotional well-being.
- Critical thinking. Understand fundamental concepts of apparel, merchandising, and design and apply critical thinking to solve problems from personal, scholarly, and professional perspectives.
- Ethics, Diversity, and Social Responsibility. Demonstrate leadership and social justice to improve quality of life for global citizens and encourage socially responsible decision-making for consumers and businesses.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDY
The program offers study for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM). The program offers students a broad understanding of textile and apparel products, merchandising and marketing strategies, technical and creative design, product development, production processes, and business practices leading to a wide range of careers at state, national, and international levels in business and industry. Courses in the program provide scientific, technical, and humanistic knowledge about textiles, apparel, and related products basic to career preparation. Courses also provide knowledge applicable to the development and use of apparel and textile products by individuals, families, and institutions. The program provides a foundation for graduate study. Graduates understand the production, distribution, and use of textiles and apparel, aesthetic expression, and communication. They are prepared to plan, develop, source and present textile and apparel products to meet the needs of consumers. Students understand the issues involved in textile and apparel production and marketing, both nationally and internationally.
The FDM major provides a broad-based program of study with flexibility in creating an individualized program. To complete the program, a student combines general education, FDM core classes, and a structure of focused courses to form an option in: (a) creative and technical design, (b) fashion communication, (c) product development and innovation, or (d) merchandising and retail analytics.
An option in creative and technical design is appropriate for those interested in the aesthetic and creative aspects of design, technical design, costuming, textile design, and product development. The fashion communications option prepares students for the development and delivery of visual, written, and oral communication. Career opportunities are in visual merchandising, styling, fashion influencing, social media, and communication. An option in product development and innovation is appropriate for those interested in developing innovative products for special markets including accessories, footwear, performance wear, smart textiles, functional apparel, and soft goods for home. Career opportunities include designer, materials testing, quality assurance, and technical design. An option in merchandising and retail analytics prepares students for the planning, promotion, and presentation of market-oriented product lines and events. Career opportunities are in buying, promotion, sales, product development, branding, and management in both manufacturing and retailing sectors with a focus on the textile and apparel industry.
For additional courses of interest, see Fashion Design and Merchandising.
GRADE POINT REQUIREMENT
All students majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising are required to earn a C- or better in all AESHM and FDM courses applied toward the degree, including transfer credits.
COMMUNICATION PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT
Undergraduate English proficiency is certified when the student has received a grade of C or better in ENGL 1500 Critical Thinking and Communication, and ENGL 2500 Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition.
Curriculum in FASHION DESIGN AND Merchandising
Administered by the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management (AESHM). Leading to the degree bachelor of science.
Total credits required: 123, including a minimum of 18 credits in FDM at Iowa State University for the degree (12 of the 18 credits must be at the 3000-4000 level). Leads to the degree Bachelor of Science. Administered by the AESHM Department. All students majoring in Fashion, Design, and Merchandising (FDM) are required to earn a C- or better in all FDM, AESHM, EVENT, and HSPM courses applied toward the degree, including transfer credits. All students majoring in Fashion, Design, and Merchandising (FDM) are required to earn a C or better in ENGL 1500 and ENGL 2500. No courses may be applied to more than one degree requirement except those used to meet U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives requirements.
Cr. Degree Requirements
(10) COMMUNICATIONS AND LIBRARY
| ENGL 1500 | Critical Thinking and Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | Introduction to College Level Research | 1 |
| Select one (1) course from: | 3 | |
| Communication and U.S. Diversity | ||
| Professional Communication | ||
| Communication and Conflict Management | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Total Credits | 10 | |
( 9-12) NATURAL SCIENCE AND MATH
| Select one (1) class from: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Probability | ||
| Introduction to Mathematical Ideas | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| Preparation for Calculus | ||
| Discrete Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences | ||
| Calculus for Business and Social Sciences | ||
| Merchandising &Retailing Analytics: Recommended MATH 1500 | ||
| Creative and Tech Design, Product Development, and Product Managemnt Options must take: | 3-5 | |
| College Chemistry | ||
| Laboratory in College Chemistry | ||
| Merchandising & Retail Analytics and Fashion Communications Options select one (1) course from: | ||
| Department of ASTRO, BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, GEN, GEOL, MTEOR, PHYS, or FSHN (101 OR 167) | ||
| Select one (1) class from: | 3-4 | |
| Principles of Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Business Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 9-12 | |
(15) HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
| ECON 1010 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| FDM 1650 | Fashion and Society: An Introduction | 3 |
| FDM 3560 | Fashion History II: Mid-19th Century to the Present | 3 |
| Select one (1) class from: | 3 | |
| ARTH or HIST Departments | ||
| Creative & Tech Deigns must take ART H | ||
| Select one (1) course from: Humanities & Social Sciences list or one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Fashion History I: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | ||
| Global Fashion | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
ALL FDM STUDENTS COMPLETE:
(12-15) AESHM PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
| AESHM 1110 | Professional Development for AESHM | 1 |
| AESHM 1110L | AESHM Program Orientation and Learning Community | 1 |
| AESHM 2110 | Leadership Experiences and Development (LEAD) | 3 |
| AESHM 3110N | Seminar on Careers and Internships: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design | 1 |
| AESHM 4700MX | Supervised Professional Internship: Apparel (Out-of-state) | 3 |
| OR | ||
| AESHM 4700N | Supervised Professional Internship: Apparel | 3 |
| AND | ||
| If internship completed in home state, select 3 credits from: | 3 | |
| Orientation to U.S. Field Study | ||
| U.S. Field Study: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design | ||
| Orientation to International Field Study | ||
| International Field Study: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design | ||
| Supervised Work Experience I: Apparel | ||
| First Year Student Field Study: Apparel, Merchandising, and Design | ||
| Supervised Work Experience II: Apparel | ||
| Principles of Management in Human Sciences | ||
| Developing Global Leadership: Maximizing Human Potential | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
(25) FDM INTEGRATED CORE
| FDM 1310 | Fashion Products and Markets | 3 |
| FDM 2040 | Textile Science | 4 |
| FDM 2100 | Computer Applications in Digital Design | 3 |
| FDM 2310 | Product Development and Manufacturing | 3 |
| FDM 2450 | Aesthetics and Brand Image | 3 |
| FDM 2750 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
| FDM 3720 | Sourcing and Global Issues | 3 |
| COMS 1130 | Introduction to Spreadsheets and Databases | 3 |
| Total Credits | 25 | |
PRIMARY OPTIONS
Select one professional primary option from the following 4 choices: Creative & Technical Design, Product Development & Innovation, Merchandising & Retail Analytics, and Fashion Communications (minor required)
(43) Creative & Technical Design
| FDM 1200 | Intro to Apparel Assembly Processes | 1 |
| FDM 1210 | Apparel Assembly Processes | 3 |
| FDM 1780 | Introduction to Apparel Design Studio | 3 |
| FDM 2250 | Patternmaking I: Drafting and Flat Pattern | 3 |
| FDM 2780 | Fashion Illustration | 3 |
| FDM 3100 | Computer Aided Apparel Patternnmaking | 3 |
| FDM 3210 | Computer Integrated Textile and Fashion Design | 3 |
| FDM 3250 | Patternmaking II: Draping | 3 |
| FDM 4260 | Creative Design Processes | 3 |
| FDM 4150 | Technical Design Processes | 3 |
| FDM 4950 | Senior Design Studio | 3 |
| Select one (1) course from: | 3 | |
| Quality Assurance of Textiles and Apparel | ||
| Innovative Textiles | ||
| Apparel Production Management | ||
| Select one (1) course from: | 3 | |
| Fashion History I: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | ||
| Global Fashion | ||
| Option "electives" (work with your advisor) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 43 | |
(43) Product Development & INNOVATION
| FDM 1200 | Intro to Apparel Assembly Processes | 1 |
| FDM 1210 | Apparel Assembly Processes | 3 |
| FDM 1780 | Introduction to Apparel Design Studio | 3 |
| FDM 2250 | Patternmaking I: Drafting and Flat Pattern | 3 |
| FDM 3050 | Quality Assurance of Textiles and Apparel | 3 |
| FDM 3100 | Computer Aided Apparel Patternnmaking | 3 |
| FDM 3210 | Computer Integrated Textile and Fashion Design | 3 |
| FDM 4040 | Innovative Textiles | 3 |
| FDM 4150 | Technical Design Processes | 3 |
| FDM 4310 | Apparel Production Management | 3 |
| FDM 4960 | Soft-Goods Product Development and Prototyping | 3 |
| SCM 3010 | Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| (9) Option electives. Select from FDM, AESHM, THTRE, ART, DSGN, DSNS or SCM | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 43 | |
(43) Merchandising & Retail Analytics
| ACCT 2840 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| AESHM 3400 | Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| or MKT 3400 | Principles of Marketing | |
| AESHM 4740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| FDM 3750 | Omni-Channel Retailing and Retail Technologies | 3 |
| FDM 3760 | Merchandise Planning and Buying | 3 |
| FDM 3760L | Merchandising Planning and Buying Lab | 1 |
| FDM 3770 | Visual Presentation and Promotions | 3 |
| FDM 3880 | Trend Forecasting | 3 |
| FDM 4670 | Consumer Studies in Apparel and Fashion Products | 3 |
| FDM 4750 | Retail Analytics | 3 |
| DS 2010 | Introduction to Data Science | 3 |
| Option "electives" (work with your advisor) | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 43 | |
(36-37) Fashion Communication
| ACCT 2840 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| or AESHM 1750N | Financial Applications for Retail and Hospitality Industries: Retail Merchandising | |
| AESHM 3400 | Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| or MKT 3400 | Principles of Marketing | |
| AESHM 4740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| FDM 2880 | Styling | 3 |
| FDM 3760 | Merchandise Planning and Buying | 3 |
| FDM 3760L | Merchandising Planning and Buying Lab | 1 |
| FDM 3770 | Visual Presentation and Promotions | 3 |
| FDM 3880 | Trend Forecasting | 3 |
| EVENT 1710 | Introduction to Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 2770 | Digital Promotion in the Service Industry | 3 |
| Option "electives" (work with your advisor) | 9 | |
| A minor is required for this option, so talk with your advisor for more information. | ||
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Fashion Design and Merchandising B.S. - Creative and Technical Design Primary Option
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1310 | 3 | MATH 1400 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1650 | 3 | FDM 1210 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1780 | 3 | FDM 2040 | 4 | ||
| AESHM 1110 | 1 | FDM 2060 | Required | ||
| AESHM 1110L | 1 | FDM 2450 | 3 | ||
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 2100 | 3 | FDM 2250 | 3 | ||
| FDM 2750 | 3 | AESHM 2110 | 3 | ||
| FDM 2780 | 3 | ARTH 2810 | 3 | ||
| Humanities & Social Science Choice | 3 | COMS 1130 | 3 | ||
| CHEM 1630 | 4 | ECON 1010 | 3 | ||
| CHEM 1630L | 1 | ||||
| 17 | 15 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| FDM 2310 | 3 | FDM 3100 | 3 | AESHM 4700N | 5 |
| FDM 3210 | 3 | FDM 3290 | 3 | ||
| FDM 3250 | 3 | FDM 3560 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 3110N | 1 | AESHM 2800 | R | ||
| STAT 1010 | 4 | AESHM 3800N | 3 | ||
| Speech Choice | 3 | ||||
| 14 | 15 | 5 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 3720 | 3 | Creative & Technical Design Option Elective 2 | 3 | ||
| FDM 4150 | 3 | FDM 4310 | 3 | ||
| FDM 4950 | 3 | FDM 3620 | 3 | ||
| Creative & Technical Design Option Elective 1 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 12 | 12 | ||||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||||
Fashion Design and Merchandising B.S - Merchandising & Retail Analytics Primary Option
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1310 | 3 | FDM 2450 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1650 | 3 | FDM 2040 | 4 | ||
| AESHM 1110 | 1 | COMS 1130 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 1110L | 1 | ECON 1010 | 3 | ||
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||||
| MATH 1400 | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 2750 | 3 | FDM 3560 | 3 | ||
| FDM 2100 | 3 | FDM 3760 | 3 | ||
| Option Elective | 3 | FDM 3760L | 1 | ||
| ACCT 2840 | 3 | AESHM 2110 | 3 | ||
| History/ARTH | 3 | DS 2010 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 3400 | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 16 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| FDM 2310 | 3 | FDM 3750 | 3 | AESHM 4700N | 3 |
| FDM 3770 | 3 | FDM 4750 | 3 | ||
| Option Elective | 3 | FDM 3880 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 3110N | 1 | STAT 1010 | 4 | ||
| Science Choice | 3 | Merchandising Option Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| 13 | 16 | 3 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 3720 | 3 | AESHM 4740 | 3 | ||
| FDM 4670 | 3 | Option Elective | 3 | ||
| Humanities or Social Science Elective | 3 | COMSTSpeech Choice | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Merchandising Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 2 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||||
| Total Credits: 123 | |||||
Fashion Design and Merchandising B.S. - Product Development & Innovation Primary Option
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1310 | 3 | FDM 1200 | 1 | ||
| FDM 1650 | 3 | FDM 1210 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1780 | 3 | CHEM 1630 | 4 | ||
| AESHM 1110 | 1 | CHEM 1630L | 1 | ||
| AESHM 1110L | 1 | MATH 1400 | 3 | ||
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||||
| FDM 1200 | 1 | ||||
| 16 | 15 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 2250 | 3 | ECON 1010 | 3 | ||
| FDM 2040 | 4 | COMS 1130 | 3 | ||
| Humanities/Social science | 3 | AESHM 2110 | 3 | ||
| FDM 2750 | 3 | AESHM 3110N | 1 | ||
| FDM 2100 | 3 | FDM 2450 | 3 | ||
| 16 | 13 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| STAT 1010 | 4 | FDM 3210 | 3 | AESHM 4700N | 3 |
| FDM 3760 | 3 | FDM 3560Spring | 3 | ||
| FDM 3760L | 1 | FDM 3100 | 3 | ||
| FDM 3720 | 3 | FDM 4040Spring | 3 | ||
| FDM 2310 | 3 | History or Art History Choice | 3 | ||
| Elective | 1 | ||||
| 15 | 15 | 3 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 3050 | 3 | FDM 4310 | 3 | ||
| COMST/Speech Choice | 3 | FDM 4960 | 3 | ||
| FDM 4150 | 3 | Product Development and Innovation Elective 3 | 3 | ||
| SCM 3010 | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| Option Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Total Credits: 123 | |||||
Fashion Design and Merchandising B.S. -- Fashion Communications Primary Option
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1310 | 3 | FDM 2100 | 3 | ||
| FDM 1650 | 3 | FDM 2450 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 1110 | 1 | EVENT 1710 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 1110L | 1 | MATH | 3 | ||
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||||
| Humanities/Social Science | 3 | ||||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 2040 | 4 | AESHM 1750N | 2 | ||
| FDM 2750 | 3 | FDM 3760 | 3 | ||
| STAT 1040 | 3 | FDM 3760L | 1 | ||
| COMS 1130 | 3 | AESHM 2110 | 3 | ||
| ECON 1010 | 3 | ||||
| EVENT 2770 | 3 | ||||
| 13 | 15 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| FDM 2310 | 3 | FDM 3560 | 3 | AESHM 4700N | 3 |
| FDM 2880 | 3 | FDM 3770 | 3 | ||
| Option Elective | 3 | FDM 3880 | 3 | ||
| AESHM 3110N | 1 | Option Elective | 3 | ||
| AESHM 3400 | 3 | Minor | 3 | ||
| Elective | 2 | ||||
| 15 | 15 | 3 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| FDM 3720 | 3 | AESHM 4740 | 3 | ||
| COMST/SPEECHh Choice | 3 | History or ART | 3 | ||
| Minor Class 3 | 3 | Minor Class 5 | 3 | ||
| Minor Class 4 | 3 | Option Elective | 3 | ||
| Science | 3 | Minor | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||||
Fashion Design and Merchandising
A minor in Fashion Design and Merchandising requires (15-17 cr.) of the following:
| FDM 1310 | Fashion Products and Markets | 3 |
| FDM 2040 | Textile Science | 4 |
| FDM 2310 | Product Development and Manufacturing | 3 |
| FDM 2750 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
| FDM 3720 | Sourcing and Global Issues | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from: | 3 | |
| Fashion History I: Prehistoric to Mid-19th Century | ||
| Fashion History II: Mid-19th Century to the Present | ||
| Global Fashion | ||
| Omni-Channel Retailing and Retail Technologies | ||
| Merchandise Planning and Buying | ||
| Visual Presentation and Promotions | ||
| Trend Forecasting | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | ||
| Total Credits | 19 | |
TEXTILE SCIENCE AND PRODUCT PERFORMANCE MINOR
The Textile Science and Product Performance minor is targeted specifically at the scientific, innovative, evaluative, technological, and performative aspects of textiles, and will fulfill industry demands for graduates that can provide answers to complex, interdisciplinary issues linked to textile-centered products. Textiles are utilized daily in: (a) medical procedures, (b) shelters and homes, (c) transportation, (d) physical and psychological protection, (e) physical performance, (f) adornment.
The minor is designed for:
-
Students in the STEM fields of chemistry, chemical and biological engineering, and materials science and engineering who desire academic experiences and knowledge in another applied product area.
-
Students in the apparel, merchandising, and design, areas who want a focused concentration on textile science and the evaluation of quality and performance of textiles and textile products.
Learning Outcomes
Students who complete the Textile Science and Product Performance minor will meet the following over-arching learning objectives:
-
Apply a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics (physical, chemical and structural) of textiles/textile products and the interrelationship of these characteristics to their major discipline.
-
Engage in interdisciplinary research through the analysis, testing and evaluation of textiles and textile products for sustainable industry and global applications in their major.
Requirements
The Textile Science and Product Performance minor consists of 17 credits, including 14 credits distributed over four required classes. Six of the nine required 3000-4000 level credits in the minor must be taken at Iowa State University. Nine credits must be isolated to the minor only.
| FDM 2040 | Textile Science | 4 |
| FDM 2310 | Product Development and Manufacturing | 3 |
| FDM 3050 | Quality Assurance of Textiles and Apparel | 3 |
| FDM 4040 | Innovative Textiles | 3 |
| Select one for 3 credits from: | ||
| Supervised Professional Internship: Apparel | ||
| Independent Study: Textile Science | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
Merchandising Certificate
A certificate in Merchandising requires (22 cr.) of the following:
| FDM 2750 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
| FDM 3750 | Omni-Channel Retailing and Retail Technologies | 3 |
| FDM 3760 | Merchandise Planning and Buying | 3 |
| FDM 3760L | Merchandising Planning and Buying Lab | 1 |
| FDM 4750 | Retail Analytics | 3 |
| Select from: | 9 | |
| Principles of Management in Human Sciences | ||
| Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies | ||
| Aesthetics of Consumer Experience | ||
| Supervised Professional Internship: Apparel | ||
| Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | ||
| Fashion and Society: An Introduction | ||
| Aesthetics and Brand Image | ||
| Sourcing and Global Issues | ||
| Visual Presentation and Promotions | ||
| Consumer Studies in Apparel and Fashion Products | ||
| Total Credits | 22 | |
The Merchandising Certificate may be earned at the same time as an ISU baccalaureate degree or after the completion of an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree or a baccalaureate degree from any accredited institution.
The FDM program offers a concurrent B.S. and M.S. degree that allows students to obtain a B.S. and M.S. degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising in five years. Application for admission to the Graduate College should be made in the junior year. More information can be found here: https://aeshm.hs.iastate.edu/graduate-students/graduate-programs/apparel-merchandising-and-design/concurrent-bs-ms/.
Graduate Study
The program offers work for the concurrent Bachelor of Science and Master of Science; Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis options; on-campus and hybrid); and Doctor of Philosophy (on-campus and distance hybrid) with a major in apparel, merchandising, and design. For all programs the field of study is highly interdisciplinary; programs of study are tailored to students' background and interests. The program offers a concurrent B.S. and M.S. degree that allows students to obtain both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in apparel, merchandising, and design in 5 years. Application for admission to the Graduate College should be submitted in fall semester of the junior year.
Graduates understand how textiles and apparel are essential in meeting individual and societal needs and understand the interdependence of nations and cultures as producers and consumers. Graduates understand diverse philosophies of scholarship and apply multiple methods to creative activity, research, and teaching. Strong writing and oral communication skills help graduates disseminate scholarship and compete successfully for awards and grants.
Graduates accept positions relevant to their academic experience. All doctoral graduates have teaching experience. Master's and doctoral graduates have experience working in team-oriented and interactive environments. Graduates are prepared to adapt to future changes in their professions and to provide leadership in professional and public practice. They bring a strong sense of ethics to research, teaching, and business endeavors.
Program emphases for graduate study include creative design and functional design; product development; consumer behavior; entrepreneurship; merchandising and marketing aspects of textiles and clothing; acquisition and use of textiles and apparel within cultures; U.S. dress and textiles from the 19th into the 21st centuries; textiles and sustainability.