Fashion

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Fashion stresses a combination of design excellence and computer skills, preparing MFA candidates to launch themselves into the industry upon graduating. This rigorous program culminates in the production of a professional fashion collection or portfolio.

The program requires collaboration on projects, readying individuals to work with colleagues in their future careers. Students are encouraged to experiment and develop their own ideas in order to achieve a balance between creativity and the reality of the marketplace.

The curriculum focuses on subjects such as market analysis, trend analysis, visual research, design conceptualization, marketing and promotion, product development, line-plan production, computer technology for design, and production and professional portfolio presentation.

Subsequent to intensive studio and academic courses, the graduate candidate is guided through directed study resulting in the Final Project -- production of a professional fashion collection, portfolio, or merchandising project. Selected collections are chosen to be part of the Academy's annual Fashion Show.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

The program stresses design excellence and computer skills, preparing our graduates to launch themselves into the industry upon graduating. This rigorous program culminates in the production of a professional fashion collection or portfolio. A student's portfolio demonstrates mastery of the mutually productive elements of individual style and technical expertise. Selected collections are chosen to be part of the Academy's annual Fashion Show.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion requires completion of 132 semester units. Students who already have a bachelor's degree can enroll in our streamlined Second Degree program, which requires completion of 66 units with no liberal arts classes or other art electives.

Associate of Arts (AA)

The program combines design excellence with computer skills, preparing our graduates to launch themselves into the industry. Academic courses culminate in the production of a professional fashion portfolio. A student's portfolio demonstrates mastery of the mutually productive elements of individual style and technical expertise. Selected collections are chosen to be part of the Academy's annual Fashion Show.

Online Awards of Completion

The School of Fashion offers Online Awards of Completion for those students who want to acquire new skills without enrolling in a degree program.

Award of Completion and personal enrichment students may have these courses credited toward a degree at the Academy of Art University pending portfolio review and approval by the department director. Degree seeking students must satisfy existing degree requirements.

All classes are 3 units each unless otherwise noted.
Please Note: Online Awards of Completion require that all courses be taken online.

Fashion Design

The Online Award of Completion in Fashion Design is a personal enrichment program, designed for students interested in acquiring a basis of knowledge and skills necessary to the fashion design profession. The Online Award of Completion requires completion of five undergraduate courses in fashion. Successful completion of these courses can also be credited toward a degree at the Academy of Art University; degree seeking students must satisfy existing degree requirements.

Required Courses

FSH 102: Fashion Illustration 1
FSH 164: Fashion Sewing Techniques
FSH 124: Knitwear Design
FSH 125: Textile Design
FSH 101: Fashion Design 1

Fashion Merchandising

The Online Award of Completion in Fashion Merchandising is a personal enrichment program, designed for students interested in acquiring a basis of knowledge and skills necessary for the fashion merchandising profession. The Online Award of Completion requires completion of five undergraduate courses in fashion.

Successful completion of these courses can also be credited towards a degree at the Academy of Art University; degree-seeking students must satisfy existing degree requirements.

Required Courses

FSH 111: Introduction to the Fashion Business
FSH 145: Consumer Motivation in Fashion
LA 119: Fabric and Fiber Technology
FSH 250: Principles of Buying 1
FSH 252: Visual Merchandising 1