Program Overview

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Introduction to the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program

The graduate degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) is offered through the School of Human Sciences with two concentrations: Design & Product Development and Merchandising. This program is based on an interdisciplinary approach to understand design, product development, fashion businesses, consumer behavior, and related industries in the context of fashion culture in society.

Program Overview

Graduates of this program will become future leaders in the textile, apparel, and retail industries, promoting economic development and advancing research and policy in areas related to the fashion industry. The degree is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the fashion and retail industry, consumer behavior, product development, business principles, and technology applications.

Admission Requirements

To secure enrollment, an individual must have a valid admission status in The Graduate School. Admission to graduate study is limited to the pursuit of requirements for the degree and the field of study as specified in the student's application and statement of purpose. Qualified applications for the FDM graduate program are expected to have interests and goals consistent with the department's faculty expertise and interests, as well as course offerings.

Master's Admission Requirements

• Meet all MSU Graduate School requirements for admission
• Have earned a baccalaureate degree in FDM or a related field
• Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores competitive with other applicants
• Submit three letters of recommendation, with at least two of the letters coming from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic work
• Current resume or CV
• Submit a personal statement (500-1,000 words) describing the applicant's purpose for undertaking graduate study, statement of commitment to concentration area (merchandising or design and product development), professional plans, career goals, and detailed research interests

Concentrations

The program offers two concentrations:

• Design and Product Development
• Merchandising

Design and Product Development Concentration

This concentration requires the completion of specific courses, including:

• FDM 1533 Basic Apparel Construction
• FDM 2524 Textiles for Apparel
• FDM 2593 Product Development II
• FDM 4343 Patternmaking and Design

Merchandising Concentration

This concentration requires the completion of specific courses, including:

• FDM 2333 Intro to Buying and Management
• FDM 2524 Textiles for Apparel
• FDM 3553 Fashion Retail Pricing
• FDM 4533 Merchandise Planning and Buying

Coursework

The master's degree in FDM requires 38 hours of coursework and has a thesis and a non-thesis option. A specialization will require 12 hours of coursework completed in one of the areas at the master's level.

Required Courses for Merchandising Concentration

Course	Description	Hours
HDFS 8813	Seminar in Human Development and Family Science	3
FDM 8803	Research Methods in Fashion Design and Merchandising	3
FDM 6603	Global Sourcing in the Textile and Apparel Industry	3
FDM 6613	Research in Consumer-Centric Fashion Product Development	3
FDM 6683	Research and Application in Fashion Entrepreneurship	3
FDM 6793	Research and Application in Digital Fashion Retailing	3
FDM 7000	Directed Individual Study in FDM	6
FDM 8100	Creative Component Project in Fashion Design and Merchandising	6

Required Courses for Design and Product Development Concentration

Course	Description	Hours
HDFS 8813	Seminar in Human Development and Family Science	3
FDM 8803	Research Methods in Fashion Design and Merchandising	3
FDM 6443	Advanced Patternmaking and Design	3
FDM 6563	Advanced Draping	3
FDM 6783	Experimental Fashion Design	3
FDM 6873	Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Fashion	3
FDM 7000	Directed Individual Study in FDM	6
FDM 8100	Creative Component Project in Fashion Design and Merchandising	6

Research Areas

The program encompasses various research areas, including but not limited to:

• Fashion Consumer Behavior
• Fashion Entrepreneurship
• Digital Fashion Retailing
• Advanced Patternmaking and Design
• Experimental Fashion Design
• Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Fashion

Course Descriptions

FDM 6343 Pattern Making and Design

Advanced problems and techniques for clothing construction and creative expression through application of drafting and flat pattern design techniques.

FDM 6363 Draping

Principles of apparel design through the three-dimensional manipulation of fabric on industry standard dress forms. Analysis of fit and design, problem solving and interaction of fabric characteristics with style features.

FDM 6424 Teaching Methods in Agricultural and Human Sciences

Planning instruction; selecting teaching techniques; developing teaching plans; teaching agricultural/human sciences topics; using instructional technologies; and evaluating learner progress.

FDM 6443 Advanced Patternmaking and Design

Advanced study of creative design of clothing through the flat pattern method.

FDM 6513 Fashion Consumer Behavior

Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences related to the study of consumer behavior related to dress, textile and apparel products, and retail experiences. Experience in conducting consumer research.

FDM 6563 Advanced Draping

Advanced apparel design through the three-dimensional manipulation of fabric on industry standard dress forms. Analysis of fit and design, problem solving and interaction of fabric characteristics with style features.

FDM 6583 Fashion Entrepreneurship

Application of principles of entrepreneurship with emphasis on retail/fashion; exploration of issues in entrepreneurship relative to apparel, retailing, and design; development of skills necessary to establish and maintain successful business.

FDM 6593 Creative Design Techniques

Students will learn a variety of surface and other design techniques and apply them to existing and original garments and accessories. Students will also utilize historical and other inspirations for their designs.

FDM 6603 Global Sourcing in the Textile and Apparel Industry

Evaluation of global issues facing the textile complex-fiber, textile and apparel industries. Students will learn about international trade and global issues in the textile complex.

FDM 6613 Research in Fashion Consumer Behavior

Application of concepts and theories from the social sciences related to the study of consumer behavior related to dress, textile and apparel products, and retail experiences. Experience in conducting consumer research.

FDM 6683 Research and Application in Fashion Entrepreneurship

Research and application of principles of entrepreneurship with an emphasis on retail and fashion; exploration of issues in entrepreneurship relative to apparel, retailing, and design; development of skills necessary to establish and maintain a successful business.

FDM 6733 Computer-Aided Design for Fashion

Applications of various computer-aided design software to the fashion industry, including illustration and the design of fabric, garments, and accessories.

FDM 6783 Experimental Fashion Design

A theoretical and practical approach to designing fashionable and functional clothing.

FDM 6793 Research and Application in Digital Fashion Retailing

Research in electronic merchandising and its application to consumer products and services for business to business and business to consumer. Research in electronic merchandising theory, digital technologies, terminology, resources, industry participants and career opportunities.

FDM 6873 Advanced Computer-Aided Design for Fashion

The use of apparel designated computer systems as a design tool, to conceptualize apparel design ideas and create patterns, markers, and original designs.

FDM 6990 Special Topics in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses.

FDM 7000 Directed Individual Study in FDM

Hours and credits to be arranged.

FDM 8100 Creative Component Project in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Hours and credits to be arranged. Capstone major professor of student and Masters committee. Individual project involving application of coursework to the career goal of student. Repeatable up to 13 hours.

FDM 8803 Research Methods in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Teach basic research skills and concepts needed to plan, conduct, and analyze data used in Fashion Design, Product Development, and/or Merchandising. Students will prepare a research proposal.

FDM 8990 Special Topics in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses.

FDM 9000 Research in Fashion Design and Merchandising

Hours and credits to be arranged.