2024-25 Academic Catalog

Fashion Design and Merchandising

Department Head: Dr. Sheri L. Worthy
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. JuYoung Lee

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.