Program Overview

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Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

Overview

The global fashion industry is competitive, but also offers an incredibly rewarding career. With our Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree, you can gain real-world experience, valuable connections and an in-depth understanding of fashion’s global value chain to stand out and thrive in the industry.

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcripts(s)
• GRE or GMAT scores if GPA is below 3.000 for conditional admission
• Résumé
• Goal statement (maximum 1,000 words) relating career/academic goals and research interests as they relate to critical issue(s) the applicant has identified in current fashion industry practice
• Supportive materials that demonstrate research and writing capabilities (e.g., significant term paper, research project report)
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

Coursework

Major Requirements

• FDM 60005: Research Methods in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
• FDM 60015: Fashion Systems Thinking (3 credits)
• FDM 60025: Global Consumer in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
• FDM 60092: Fashion Industry Practicum 1 (3 credits)
• FDM 65055: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Sustainability in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
• FDM 65110: Circular Economy Strategies in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
• Major Electives (choose from the following):
  • FDM 55035: Historic Textiles
  • FDM 65045: Fashion Industry Merchandise Management
  • FDM 65096: Individual Investigation in the Fashion Industry
  • FDM 65100: Sustainable Supply Chain and Life Cycle Assessment in the Fashion Industry
  • FDM 65120: Fiber and Textile Innovation
  • FDM 65220: Innovations in the Fashion Retail Industry
• Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area (3 credits)
• Culminating Requirement:
  • FDM 60099: Fashion Industry Practicum Capstone (3-6 credits)
  • or FDM 60199: Thesis I (0-3 credits)

Progression Requirements

• Good academic standing (minimum 3.000 GPA)

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
• Students in the M.F.I.S. degree are required to complete 24 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis I or 27 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 3 credit hours of practicum capstone.
• Students without a fashion background may be required to complete foundational coursework (FDM 10033 and FDM 10034) concurrently during the first semester and either FDM 20030 or FDM 30262. Students must complete these courses within the first 18 credit hours of graduate study. These undergraduate credit hours are in addition to the 30 graduate credit hours required for the M.F.I.S. degree.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

First Year

• Fall Semester:
  • FDM 60005: Research Methods in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
  • FDM 60015: Fashion Systems Thinking (3 credits)
  • Major Elective (3 credits)
• Spring Semester:
  • FDM 60025: Global Consumer in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
  • FDM 65110: Circular Economy Strategies in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
  • Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area (3 credits)

Second Year

• Fall Semester:
  • FDM 60092: Fashion Industry Practicum 1 (3 credits)
  • FDM 60199: Thesis I (0-3 credits)
  • FDM 65055: Entrepreneurial Leadership and Sustainability in the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
  • Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area (0-3 credits)
• Spring Semester:
  • FDM 60099: Fashion Industry Practicum Capstone (3 credits)
  • or FDM 60199: Thesis I (0-3 credits)

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze the elements of a fashion industry problem and identify pertinent issues. (Critical Thinking)
2. Employ research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies to solve industry problems. (Analytical Skills)
3. Analyze and synthesize collected data to generate pragmatic solutions through testing and experimentation that connect fashion history, theory and/or practice(s). (Problem-Solving Skills)
4. Use suitable technologies to make effective visual, spoken and written communications. (Professionalism and Communication)
5. Analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and generate solutions to industry problems that create long-term value and shared prosperity for the broad array of stakeholders. (Environmental and Social Responsibility)
6. Appraise the diverse viewpoints and various cultural factors to draw solutions for fashion industry problems. (Global Mindset)

Full Description

The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as an industry.

The Fashion Industry Studies major leads to an initial master's degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues and provide impactful solutions for the fashion industry.

The curriculum prepares students with critical and analytical skills to address fashion industry challenges, integrating historical and theoretical knowledge while emphasizing effective communication, environmental responsibility and a global perspective.

Why Kent State University

Connecting Fashion and Media

The way humans connect and communicate is at the heart of what we do. Explore communication, design, media, technology or information at Kent State.

Graduate Aid and Assistantships

Many graduate programs offer one of three types of graduate assistantships: administrative, teaching or research.

Affinity Groups for Graduate Students

The Division of Graduate Studies sponsors affinity groups for graduate students who are parents and for first-generation graduate students.