Program Overview

Master's Program: Fashion Design and Merchandising

Overview

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a sequence in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM). This sequence is designed for professionals seeking advanced study in this area.

This sequence option is most appropriate for individuals interested in careers in the fashion design and merchandising field who have related degrees such as business, especially marketing, public relations, art, and design.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Jen Barnes

Admission Requirements

University Admission Requirements

• A student applying to this program must have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to [Graduate School, Illinois State University, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL].
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to [International Admissions, Illinois State University, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL].

Additional Program Admission Requirements

GPA

• You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a graduate program.

Application Materials

• Upload a statement of goals for seeking the degree.
• Submit names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Term: February 1

Program Details

• The sequence is designed for professionals seeking advanced study in the area of Fashion Design and Merchandising.
• Family and Consumer Sciences graduate students with an interest in the FDM field can choose among seventeen courses that could be included as part of their graduate degree program.
• The courses offered are in two concentration areas: Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Product Design and Production.