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Fashion Merchandising, A.S.

Combine creativity with business savvy in fashion merchandising.

Immaculata’s industry-driven A.S. in Fashion Merchandising offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares you to apply your skills in the business of fashion. Develop your talents in:

  • Apparel construction and design
  • Product planning and development
  • Trend forecasting and retail analysis
  • Sourcing, buying and distribution
  • Visual merchandising
  • Fashion marketing

At A Glance

Program: Associate of Science
Audience: Undergraduate adult learners
Format: Face-to-face classes
Next Start Date: January 16, 2024
Cost: $250 per credit
Time to Completion Approximately two years

"Immaculata’s Fashion program has prepared me to be an independent thinker with a wide variety of skill sets. One of the skill sets that IU’s program has given me is the idea of being self-motivated within the fashion industry. Immaculata University’s Fashion Merchandising program has consistently pushed its students to never settle and to always strive for success."

Jon Fillion

Career Outlook

With a degree in fashion merchandising, you’ll understand the business side of fashion and can pursue a career as a buyer, visual merchandiser, product developer, graphic designer, fashion writer or entrepreneur.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median salaries for careers in fashion merchandising include:

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the fashion program, students will:

  • Exhibit creative problem-solving, global awareness and technical aptitude
  • Apply business knowledge, an aesthetic viewpoint and comprehensive decision-making within the fashion industry
  • Effectively communicate verbally and visually to merchandise, market and distribute product in a global marketplace
  • Demonstrate the ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • Model principles of business ethics
  • Learn from faculty with extensive experience in the business of fashion.
  • Maximize your previous coursework by transferring credits into the program, or earn credit for workplace training through Immaculata’s Credit for Prior Learning program.
  • Learn computer applications used in the fashion industry, such as Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  • Explore business and economic theories through real-world, up-to-date examples applied to the fashion industry.
  • Use design and marketing principles to create visual merchandising displays that promote a brand or fashion trend to consumers.
  • Expand your knowledge and career opportunities by continuing in Immaculata’s Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising or adding a minor in business management, data analytics, marketing or graphic design.

Curriculum

Major Course

  • Apparel Construction & Design – 3 credits
  • Computer Applications for Fashion – 3 credits
  • Introduction to the Fashion Industry – 3 credits
  • Introduction to Product Development – 3 credits
  • Textiles – 3 credits
  • Visual Merchandising I – 3 credits
  • History of Costume – 3 credits
  • Buying Principles & Practices – 3 credits
  • Fashion Seminar – 3 credits
  • Fashion Field Experience I – 3 credits
  • Portfolio Development – 3 credits
  • Fashion Marketing – 3 credits
  • Marketing Principles & Practices – 3 credits
  • Environmental Science – 3 credits
  • Principles of Economics (recommended for social consciousness core requirement) – 3 credits
  • Writing for the Web (recommended for humanities requirement) – 3 credits
  • Global Economics & Environmental Ethics – 3 credits

Liberal Arts Core – 27 credits, 9 fulfilled by major

  • Composition (English/Writing) 6 credits
  • Natural & Physical World/Quantitative Reasoning (Lab Science/Math) 3 credits, fulfilled by major
  • Community 9 credits, 3 fulfilled by major
  • Pursuit of Faith (Religion, Theology) 6 credits
  • Pursuit of Wisdom (Philosophy) 3 credits, fulfilled by major

Total Credits – 63

You can apply to Immaculata’s adult professional programs in four simple steps. If you have questions, please contact us via admiss@immaculata.edu or by phone at 484-323-3060.

Fashion students looking at fabrics

Program Spotlight

Fashion merchandising students traveled to New York’s Garment District where they explored several well-known businesses.

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