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Fashion, Dress and MerchandisingMajor

Fashion is one of the most dynamic, globally integrated and culturally significant industries in the world. Peer behind the gloss and glamour to discover how design concepts come to life – and then are marketed to consumers.

Overview

What is Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU like?

Description

As a whole, the Fashion, Dress and Merchandising program focuses on the fashion industry, including how products and services are produced, distributed and promoted to consumers.

Find your focus in one of two areas of emphasis: Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising.

Fashion, Dress and Merchandising program highlights:

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At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Fashion Design
    From patternmaking to draping to sewing, Fashion Design students learn practical and technical skills necessary to take a design from concept to finished garment.
  • Fashion Merchandising
    With business courses built into the curriculum, Fashion Merchandising students become savvy professionals with creative and critical thinking skills necessary to display visually appealing, on-trend looks in a variety of retail settings.

Fast Facts

What makes Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Network with industry professionals and program alumni as part of the New York Study Tour.
  • Learn from fashion industry elite during the summer study abroad program Disegno Italia.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Graduates work in the fashion industry in various roles including retail buyers, product developers, creative designers and tech designers. They also go on to be entrepreneurs.

Specific employers include Coach, UGG, Carhartt, DICK’S Sporting Goods and Gabe’s.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Fashion, Dress and Merchandising major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Fashion, Dress and Merchandising major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

FDM 140:
Introduction to Textiles

Study and classification of fibers, yarns, fabrics, color applications and finishes for apparel-industry applications. (Lecture plus laboratory.)

FDM 235:
Product Development

Exploration of concepts and principles of apparel production and post- consumer alternatives.

FDM 350:
Draping

Creative and technical pattern development using the draping method. Original apparel designs patterned and constructed.

FDM 470:
Global Issues and Fashion

Examines globalization, fashion business, and consumerism. Sourcing, sustainability, international trade, and social justice issues are addressed.

Cost and Aid

How much does Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Extra Merit-based Scholarships

Incoming freshmen to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design may qualify for Innovators scholarships based on GPA. No additional application is necessary. These scholarships are in addition to University scholarships.

See if You Qualify

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Fashion, Dress and Merchandising major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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