Program Details

Fashion with concentration in Fashion Merchandising, Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Virginia Commonwealth University

The major in fashion merchandising requires a strong background in marketing, business and specialized professional courses with an emphasis on globalism. Students are directed toward assignments that will develop their skills in research, writing, presentation and critical thinking. Graduates find career opportunities in fashion forecasting, product development, advertising and promotion, retail management, buying, and international marketing. Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester. Study abroad programs are readily available for fashion merchandising majors.

Outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following: Creative problem-solving and critical thinking: Transferable skills Fashion merchandising students will demonstrate creative problem-solving and critical thinking through the completion of assignments and projects from freshman year through the senior capstone project. Throughout the student’s tenure in the program, courses include exercises in creative problem-solving and critical thinking around simulation learning, research projects, forecasting projections, management skills and research papers, which includes self- and peer-directed learning. Worldview and multidisciplinary approach to the fashion industry Fashion merchandising students will receive a worldview and multidisciplinary approach to the fashion industry through course work, which exhibits the importance of transforming fashion into an ethical and sustainable business model. Encouraging students to be part of the evolution needed in the fashion industry through projects and assignments, which include sustainability, ethics, economics, culture, global supply chain, design principles and the history of contemporary fashion. Dynamic merchandising skills Technical skills required in the fashion industry such as Photoshop, Illustrator, CLO 3D, Excel, Word and retail math will be revealed throughout introductory, intermediate and advanced course work. Additionally, students will display skills in portfolio development, the visual presentation of concepts, ideation and design principles. Professionalism Fashion merchandising students exhibit professional verbal, visual and digital presentation skills, which includes critical feedback. Additionally, the soft skills of professionalism consisting of punctuality, meeting deadlines, dependability, a sense of urgency and effective communication are central to professionalism.

Program Overview & Guidance

Program Web Page

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Delivery Mode

In-Person

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Delivery Mode

Online

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Delivery Mode

Hybrid

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Program Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree	The BA in Fashion Merchandising degree represents the fashion industry, one of the largest industries in the world. The curriculum includes marketing, accounting, and retail math courses. There is a significant amount of group work required, particularly in the third and fourth years of the program.
Program Requirement Notes	Program Requirement Notes Acceptance into the program is based on evaluating the applicant’s extracurricular activities, community service, letter of recommendation, application essay and a preferred minimum GPA of 3.0.
Considerations When Selecting Courses	Complete courses that are equivalent to general education course at VCU, which are required for fashion design and fashion merchandising. Fashion merchandising majors complete courses equivalent to ACCT202, ARTH102, ARTH103, BUSN162, and any courses listed as options for additional areas of inquiry. Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year Connect with an advisor at your community college and Virginia Commonwealth University within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree	The fashion design + fashion merchandising degrees offer opportunities for minors, internships, and study abroad. Fashion design majors may minor in fashion merchandising (3.0GPA required).
Program Successes & Highlights	Study abroad is strongly encouraged. The Department of Fashion Design + Merchandising has relationships with institutions in London, England, Florence, Italy, + Rome, Italy; however, students may study anywhere in the world. Fashion graduates work as entrepreneurs, designers, product developers, trend forecasters, buyers, planners, merchandisers, and visual merchandisers. They also hold positions in public relations and sourcing.

Program Credit Requirements

Credit and Course Requirements for the Program are expected in a future release. Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:

Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.

If you are interested in the cost of attending this institution, please visit the institution's cost page to review costs

Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element	What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion	Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Fine Arts, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland College, or the College of Southern Maryland may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major.
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School	Students who have earned a transfer-oriented associate degree from any regionally accredited institution or the Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements satisfied. The Uniform Certificate of General Studies is recommended for this major.
Credit for Prior Learning	VCU accepts a variety of types of credit for prior learning, including but not limited to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), military experience, Cambridge, and industry certifications that are recommended for credit by the American Council on Education or the National College Credit Recommendation Service.
Did You Know That...	Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree? Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Virginia Commonwealth University

College Level Information

Transfer Center

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External Link

Transfer Admission Application

Transfer Students - Apply Here

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Transfer Student Aid

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

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Number of Transfer Students

1902

Percent of Accepted Transfer Students

VCU prefers transfer applicants with a cumulative college GPA of a 2.5 or higher who are in good standing with their pre

College Fit Guidance	What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me?	VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C..
Transfer Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
First Year Student Catalog Year	Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions	https://admissions.vcu.edu/apply-to-vcu/undergraduate/transfer/

Where Can This Degree Transfer

This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution	Title	Degree	Award Name	Award Level	Delivery Mode
Marymount University	Fashion Design (BA)	Bachelor	Bachelor of Art	4-Year	In-Person

Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code	Name	Description	Parent
25-1121.00	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.	Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-1022.00	Fashion Designers	Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.	Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ

Cost To Complete

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

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Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.

Estimated Cost for the Plan Name Not Provided at Virginia Commonwealth University These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category	Cost	Basis	Cost (To You)	Estimated Benefits	Net Cost	Notes
Tuition	$6,600	Per Semester	$52,800	$0	$52,800	Every credit above 14 credits in a semester is charged at half price ($230 per credit for credits 15 and above; credits 1 -14 are charged the full rate)
Fees
University Fee	$1,341	Per Semester	$10,728	0	$10,728
Technology Fee	$158	Per Semester	$1,264	0	$1,264
Library Fee	$44	Per Semester	$352	0	$352
Student Activity Fee	$45	Per Semester	$360	0	$360	MCV Campus students pay a flat rate of $18
Academic Support Services Fee	$50	Per Semester	$400	0	$400
Health Fee	$123	Per Semester	$984	0	$984
Program Fee	$45	Per Semester	$360	0	$360
Transition Fee	$150	Per Semester	$1,200	0	$1,200	New undergraduate transfer students will be charged the Student Transition Fee in their first semester to cover Orientation. The Transition Fee for new First-Year Students is $225 and will be assessed in the first semester.

*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.

Tuition & Fee Notes:

Potential Additional Fees
- Additional fees may include on-campus housing, meal plan, parking, technology, and program- and course-specific fees.

Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:

You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.