Fashion Design and Merchandising
Department Head: Dr. Sheri L. Worthy
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Caroline Kobia
118 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building
Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Telephone: 662-325-0829
Email: ck645@msstate.edu
The graduate degree (M.S.) in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) will be offered through the School of Human Sciences with two concentrations: (1) Design & Product Development and (2) Merchandising. FDM is based on an interdisciplinary approach to understand design, product development, fashion businesses, consumer behavior, and related industries in the context of fashion culture in society. Graduates will become future leaders in the textile, apparel, and retail industries to promote the economic development of industry sectors that increase the quality of life for people around the world. They will also advance research and policy in areas related to the fashion industry to broaden the effects of academic application of research in practice, as well as governmental actions on the fashion complex. This degree is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the fashion and retail industry, consumer behavior, product development, business principles, and technology applications. Students select a concentration in one of two areas: Design and Product Development or Merchandising.
Admission Requirements
An individual must have a valid admission status in The Graduate School to secure enrollment. Admission to graduate study is limited to the pursuit of requirements for the degree and the field of study as specified in the student's application and statement of purpose. Qualified applications for the FDM graduate program are expected to have interests and goals that are consistent with the department's faculty expertise and interests, as well as course offerings. Once all application materials have been submitted, applicants should contact the FDM graduate coordinator at 662-325-2950 to schedule an interview with members of the FDM graduate faculty. To accommodate international applicants, interviews can be conducted using distance technology. Admission decisions are based on a holistic consideration of the applicant's credentials.
For international, non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score indicative of ability to successfully complete graduate work is required. See English Language Test Score Requirements in the MSU Graduate Catalog for more information.
Master's Admission Requirements
- Meet all MSU Graduate School requirements for admission
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree in FDM or a related field
- Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores competitive with other applicants
- Submit three letters of recommendation, with at least two of the letters coming from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic work
- Current resume or CV
- Submit a personal statement (500-1,000 words) describing the applicant's purpose for undertaking graduate study, statement of commitment to concentration area (merchandising or design and product development), professional plans, career goals, and detailed research interests
For those applicants not possessing a B.S. in Fashion Design and merchandising, admission will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If accepted, those students will be required to complete leveling courses from the FDM undergraduate core curriculum.
Design and Product Development:
- FDM 1533 Basic Apparel Construction
- FDM 2524 Textiles for Apparel
- FDM 2593 Product Development II
- FDM 4343 Patternmaking and Design
Merchandising:
- FDM 2333 Intro to Buying and Management
- FDM 2524 Textiles for Apparel
- FDM 3553 Fashion Retail Pricing
- FDM 4533 Merchandise Planning and Buying
Coursework
The master's degree in FDM requires 38 hours of coursework and has a thesis and a non-thesis option. A specialization will require 12 hours of coursework completed in one of the areas at the master's level.
Financing Your Graduate Education
Although the School of Human Sciences does have a limited number of assistantship opportunities, students are responsible for making their own arrangements for financing their graduate studies. For information about financial aid options and/or to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), visit http://www.sfa.msstate.edu.
Master of Science in Fashion Design and Merchandising
| Required Courses | ||
| AELC 8803 | Applying Research Methods to Agricultural and Extension Education | 3 |
| EPY 6214 | Educational and Psychological Statistics | 4 |
| FDM 6424 | Teaching Methods in Agricultural and Human Sciences | 3-4 |
| or AELC 8403 | Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural and Extension Education | |
| FDM 6613 | Research in Fashion Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| HDFS 8813 | Seminar in Human Development and Family Science | 3 |
| FDM 8000 | (Thesis Option) | 9 |
| Creative Component Project in Fashion Design and Merchandising (Non-Thesis Option) | ||
| Concentration (Choose One) | 12 | |
| Merchandising Concentration Courses | ||
| Research and Application in Fashion Entrepreneurship | ||
| Research and Application in Digital Fashion Retailing | ||
| Restricted Electives (6) - With approval of major professor and committee | ||
| Design and Product Development Concentration (Select 4) | ||
| Advanced Patternmaking and Design | ||
| Advanced Draping | ||
| Experimental Fashion Design | ||
| Restricted Electives (3) - With approval of major professor and committee | ||
| Total Hours | 37-38 | |
FDM 6343 Pattern Making and Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: Grade of B of higher in FDM 1533). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Advanced problems and techniques for clothing construction and creative expression through application of drafting and flat pattern design techniques
FDM 6363 Draping: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FDM 4343). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Principles of apparel design through the three-dimensional manipulation of fabric on industry standard dress forms. Analysis of fit and design, problem solving and interaction of fabric characteristics with style features
FDM 6424 Teaching Methods in Agricultural and Human Sciences: 4 hours.
(Prerequisite: CALS major and junior standing). Three hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Planning instruction; selecting teaching techniques; developing teaching plans; teaching agricultural/human sciences topics; using instructional technologies; and evaluating learner progress. Same as AELC 4424
FDM 6443 Advanced Patternmaking and Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FDM 4343). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. Advanced study of creative design of clothing through the flat pattern method
FDM 6513 Fashion Consumer Behavior: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: SO 1003 or PSY 1013 and junior standing). Three hours lecture. Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences related to the study of consumer behavior related to dress, textile and apparel products, and retail experiences. Experience in conducting consumer research
FDM 6563 Advanced Draping: 3 hours.
One hour lecture. Four hours lab. Advanced apparel design through the three-dimensional manipulation of fabric on industry standard dress forms. Analysis of fit and design, problem solving and interaction of fabric characteristics with style features
FDM 6583 Fashion Entrepreneurship: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Application of principles of entrepreneurship with emphasis on retail/fashion; exploration of issues in entrepreneurship relative to apparel, retailing, and design; development of skills necessary to establish and maintain successful business
FDM 6593 Creative Design Techniques: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FDM 1533 or consent.) Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Students will learn a variety of surface and other design techniques and apply them to existing and original garments and accessories. Students will also utilize multicultural, historic, and other inspirations for their designs
FDM 6603 Global Sourcing in the Textile and Apparel Industry: 3 hours.
(Prerequisites: FDM 2553 and FDM 4513 or equivalent or consent of instructor). Three hours lecture. Evaluation of global issues facing the textile complex-fiber, textile and apparel industries. Students will learn about international trade and global issues in the textile complex
FDM 6613 Research in Fashion Consumer Behavior: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences related to the study of consumer behavior related to dress, textile and apparel products, and retail experiences. Experience in conducting consumer research
FDM 6683 Research and Application in Fashion Entrepreneurship: 3 hours.
Three hours Lecture. Research and application of principles of entrepreneurship with an emphasis on retail and fashion; exploration of issues in entrepreneurship relative to apparel, retailing, and design; development of skills necessary to establish and maintain a successful business
FDM 6693 Digital Merchandising: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. A study of electronic merchandising and its application to consumer products and services for business to business and business to consumer. Introduction to electronic merchandising theory, terminology, resources, industry participants and career opportunities
FDM 6733 Computer-Aided Design for Fashion: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FDM 4343). Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Applications of various computer-aided design software to the fashion industry, including illustration and the design of fabric, garments, and accessories
FDM 6783 Experimental Fashion Design: 3 hours.
(Prerequisite: FDM 4343 or consent of instructor). One hour lecture. Four hours laboratory. A theoretical and practical approach to designing fashionable and functional clothing
FDM 6793 Research and Application in Digital Fashion Retailing: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Research in electronic merchandising and its application to consumer products and services for business to business and business to consumer. Research in electronic merchandising theory, digital technologies, terminology, resources, industry participants and career opportunities
FDM 6873 Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Fashion: 3 hours.
One hour lecture. Four hours lab. The use of apparel designated computer systems as a design tool, to conceptualize apparel design ideas and create patterns, markers, and original designs
FDM 6990 Special Topics in Fashion Design and Merchandising: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
FDM 7000 Directed Individual Study in FDM: 6 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged
FDM 8100 Creative Component Project in Fashion Design and Merchandising: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged. Capstone major professor of student and Masters committee. Individual project involving application of coursework to the career goal of student. Repeatable up to 13 hours
FDM 8803 Research Methods in Fashion Design and Merchandising: 3 hours.
Three hours lecture. Teach basic research skills and concepts needed to plan, conduct, and analyze data used in Fashion Design, Product Development, and/or Merchandising. Students will prepare a research proposal
FDM 8990 Special Topics in Fashion Design and Merchandising: 1-9 hours.
Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)
FDM 9000 Research in Fashion Design and Merchandising: 1-13 hours.
Hours and credits to be arranged