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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 glamor to discover how design concepts come to life and are marketed to consumers.

Overview

What is Fashion, Dress and Merchandising at WVU like?

Description

The fashion design and merchandising program produces future leaders in a dynamic and global industry that operates at the intersection of creativity, technology, commerce and culture. Through experiential learning, students address some of the most complex issues facing the industry today to create a more sustainable fashion future.

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

Fashion, Dress and Merchandising program highlights:

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
    Fashion Merchandising students apply their creative and critical thinking skills to bring fashion products to market through pricing, promotion, quality analysis, consumer behavior analysis, and global supply chain management.

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.
  • Gain cultural competencies and expand your worldview through the summer study abroad program Disegno Italia.
  • Engage in faculty research activities through the SURE and RAP programs
  • Explore the economic and community development opportunities fibersheds offer in the Amy Bircher Textile Lab and FDM’s signature Farm to Fashion program.

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?

FDM 110:
Introduction to Fashion Business

This course introduces the fashion business by exploring its production and distribution systems with a focus on basic merchandising, design, marketing, and retail concepts.

FDM 211:
Introduction to Textiles

The course focuses on textiles intended for use in apparel and soft goods applications. Students examine all stages of the textile supply chain - from fiber to finishes - with opportunity for hands-on exploration. Sustainability and technological innovation in the textile industry are also addressed.

FDM 220:
Fashion, the Body, and Culture

Students examine the intersection of fashion, the body, and culture to appreciate the role of dress in everyday life. Students explore dress practices through the lens of economics, politics, religion, and gender, among other social factors. The course emphasizes critical thinking and cross-cultural exploration through group discussion and personal reflection.

FDM 435S:
Product Development Studio

This course will offer an understanding of the step by step decision making of pre-production processes involved in creating new products from design concept to the final consumer.

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.

View Tuition and Fees

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.

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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