Program Overview

To thrive in the fashion world, you need more than a keen sense of style. You also need to translate your vision to a product that sells. This program blends the theory of fashion and the knowledge of business practice to create a skillset that prepares you to be a successful fashion business professional. Learn more about the online program.

Why This Program & What You'll Learn
Our fashion merchandising and design program is your doorway to a $1.2 trillion industry. When you graduate, you'll have a portfolio of work you can show to employers—as well as skills that will keep you in demand.

Our program, recognized as the best in Michigan, uses industry technology to provide you with real-world skills. We know the fashion industry is going digital, so as a fashion merchandising and design major, you'll get hands-on experience working with CAD, 3-D printers, pattern digitization, and 3D virtual design merchandising software. You can test fabrics in the textile testing lab. In the Center for Merchandising and Design Technology test your product prototypes using a body scanner and thermal manikins. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to interact with our corporate partners such as Carhartt, Target, and Adidas to help solve real-world problems.

Our courses will give you a foundation in both design and merchandising, resulting in a graduate that is prepared for a variety of careers available in the industry. Can’t decide? We offer minors in design and visual merchandising. We know you are busy and have many things going on, that’s why we offer courses on-campus, online, and hybrid. In addition to gaining hands-on experience on campus, you'll get on-the-job training as part of your required internship experience. In recent years, students have interned at places such as A&F, Louis Vuitton, Target, and Bloomingdale's.

Those experiences pay off. Employers know our students' technical expertise is matched by problem-solving and leadership skills to set them apart.