Fashion Merchandising Degree Program Overviews

Fashion merchandising degree programs educate students in the critical components of buying and selling fashion apparel. Completion of fashion merchandising degree programs leads to employment in the fashion buying, marketing and retail sectors. If you're interested in turning a head for business and an eye for style into a career, continue reading to learn more about associate's and bachelor's degree programs in fashion merchandising.

Associate's Degree in Fashion Merchandising

Associate of Applied Science programs in fashion merchandising provide students a comprehensive education in both the business and design aspects of fashion. Students learn about the selection and use of color in fashion, as well as gain an understanding of how to market, sell and promote apparel. Although degree requirements vary from institution to institution, associate's programs in fashion merchandising generally combine theoretical courses with applied laboratory experience, and they can typically be completed within two years.

Program Coursework

Students in fashion merchandising associate's degree programs learn to select visually pleasing apparel that will lend itself to meeting marketing and sales goals. Required courses typically cover:

  • Visual merchandising
  • Fashion design applications
  • Color and design theory
  • Personal selling
  • French for the fashion industry
  • Managerial marketing
  • Textile brand management
  • Merchandising techniques
  • Trend forecasting

Popular Career Options

Completing an associate's degree program in fashion merchandising qualifies graduates to obtain professional, entry-level employment in just about any area of the fashion industry, including retail, design and purchasing. Common job titles for graduates of fashion merchandising associate's degree programs include:

  • Fashion marketing associate
  • Assistant buyer
  • Showroom coordinator
  • Stylist
  • Assistant designer

Continuing Education Information

Fashion merchandising associate's degree holders wishing to advance into bachelor's degree programs can often transfer many of their associate's degree credits to 4-year programs at universities and technical art or fashion schools. There are also numerous professional associations offering continuing education courses and conferences in specialized areas of interest throughout the fashion industry. For fashion retail, which is a common career path for graduates of associate's degree programs, professionals can join the National Association for Retail Marketing Services.

Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Merchandising

Students seeking in-depth training in the business and art of fashion can pursue bachelor's degrees in fashion merchandising. Degree programs educate students in different types of fashion trends. Many institutions offer specialized areas of concentration within bachelor's degree programs, such as fashion marketing, global manufacturing, product development, design and promotions. Most degree programs aim to immerse students in the fashion industry by supplementing theoretical coursework with hands-on experience, such as internships or trips abroad to fashion capitals like Paris and Milan.

Educational Prerequisites

Many bachelor's degree programs do not have in place any admission requirements for fashion merchandising students other than possession of a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some, however, require students to complete core academic courses or basic studies in fashion merchandising before applying to bachelor's degree programs.

Program Coursework

Fashion merchandising students learn to analyze, design, select, promote and sell many different types of fashion apparel. Topics frequently addressed in common required courses include:

  • Fashion illustrations
  • Computer applications for apparel design
  • Fashion media design
  • Strategic merchandising
  • Fashion writing and communications
  • Inventory management
  • Fashion event planning
  • Brand management
  • Globalization in fashion

Career Outlook and Salary Information

While graduates of fashion merchandising bachelor's degree programs have many professional options, two common career paths are fashion buying and fashion design. According to the salary information website PayScale.com, the average annual salary for retail buyers is approximately $49,700. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reported that fashion designers made a median yearly salary of $61,160 as of May 2008.

Continuing Education Information

Professionals in the fashion design industry may pursue continuing education opportunities via memberships in national, international or regional associations like the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Graduate education opportunities are also available in areas related to fashion merchandising, such as design or art.

The field of fashion merchandising incorporates a variety of employment opportunities. Some job titles in this field include Product Development, Retail Store Manager, Catalog Production, and Fashion Buyer

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