Program Overview

Fashion (Apparel Product Development), BA

The Bachelor of Arts program in fashion with a concentration in apparel product development is designed to immerse students in the full product development lifecycle, from ideation to the finished garment available in stores. This concentration blends creativity, technical expertise, and business strategy to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of fashion product development.

Program Description

Through a combination of studio-based projects, lectures, and hands-on learning, students master vital product development skills, including flat and digital patternmaking, tech pack creation, fit analysis, garment construction, and sourcing. These skills enable students to navigate complex production workflows, manage timelines, and collaborate with cross-functional teams, while ensuring high-quality standards are maintained throughout. The curriculum emphasizes a holistic approach to product development, providing students with the expertise to oversee the end-to-end creation of a product. Students learn how to transform creative ideas into commercially viable products, addressing market needs, forecasting trends, selecting materials, and managing production. They also gain a deep understanding of line architecture and how to create cohesive product lines that align with brand identity and consumer expectations. Students are prepared to drive product strategy and innovation by integrating creative design with practical business decisions.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Online, ASU Local
• Second language requirement: No
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
• First required math course: MAT 114 - College Mathematics
• Math intensity: General

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Fashion (Apparel Product Development) program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in fashion product development. Students can view the 2025-2026 curriculum and curriculum archives for more information.

Concurrent Program Options

Students pursuing concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”) earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with their academic advisors, students can create their own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Change of Major Requirements

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Transfer Options

ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.

Global Opportunities

• Global experience: Fashion varies from country to country, city to city, and culture to culture. Studying abroad exposes students to unique cultural environments and allows students to expand their fashion knowledge in diverse settings.

Career Opportunities

With a clear focus on product development, this program prepares graduates for dynamic careers in fashion. Whether pursuing roles in product development management, technical design, or merchandising, graduates are equipped with the tools to innovate, manage, and execute the creation of products that resonate with consumers, stand out in the market, and lead the next wave of fashion product innovation.

• Example job titles and salaries:
  • Buyer: 5.8% growth, $75,650 median salary
  • Fabric and Apparel Designer: -10.2% growth, $67,670 median salary
  • Fashion Designer: 2.0% growth, $80,690 median salary
  • Marketing Manager: 6.6% growth, $161,030 median salary
  • Merchandiser: 5.8% growth, $75,650 median salary
  • Product Marketing and Promotions Manager: -0.1% growth, $37,960 median salary
  • Technical Director: 4.9% growth, $83,480 median salary

Program Details

• Program code: HIFSHAPDBA
• Program description: The Bachelor of Arts program in fashion with a concentration in apparel product development is designed to immerse students in the full product development lifecycle.
• At a glance: College/school, location, second language requirement, STEM-OPT extension eligible, first required math course, and math intensity.
• Curriculum: View 2025-2026 curriculum and curriculum archives.
• Concurrent program options: Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas.
• Admission requirements: General university admission requirements.
• Tuition information: Learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options.
• Change of major requirements: No additional requirements for current ASU students.
• Attend online: ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.
• Transfer options: ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU.
• Global opportunities: Studying abroad exposes students to unique cultural environments and allows students to expand their fashion knowledge in diverse settings.
• Career opportunities: Graduates are prepared for dynamic careers in fashion, with example job titles and salaries provided.