Fashion Requirements

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion  (122 Credits)

Students in this program have the option to choose a concentration in Fashion Design or Merchandising.

 

Program Description

The Fashion Design Concentration focuses on training students to develop apparel for various markets in keeping with creative, technical, and economic factors of the fashion world as well as emphasizes on the creative aspects of designing and developing merchandise for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. The program prepares students for entering the apparel industry as apparel designers, costume designers for theatre, assistant fashion stylists/wardrobes, fashion coordinators, production managers, product developers, computer-aided design specialists, merchandisers, findings/trimming buyers, fabric buyers, showroom sales representatives and entrepreneurs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Bachelor of Art in Fashion with Fashion Design Concentration will be able to:

1. Identify and apply design elements and trends from key eras of fashion history in clothing construction, patternmaking, draping techniques and computer imaging.  

2. Apply aesthetic principles and elements of design to the development, selection, evaluation of apparel and other textile products.

3. Discuss factors relevant to design history and theory that constitute apparel quality and fit.

4. Design, develop, and construct fashion illustrations, patterns, computer-aided designs, garment prototypes, apparel and other related fashion products using fashion tools, techniques, and processes.

5. Analyze problems and formulate solutions related to fashion design, textile, styling, apparel production and marketing issues.

 
The Merchandising Concentration prepares students through structured learning processes to understand industry innovations, challenging careers, current trends, and the impact of globalization, technological advances and the expansion of designers into new and broader categories. The merchandising concentration covers both the retailers and manufacturers needs for merchandisers and product developers. Merchandising reflects the planning, organizational, and sales aspects of the fashion business. Students learn how to merchandise apparel products and how to develop planning modules. They will understand target markets and how to develop promotional plans for various products and events to meet the goals of a successful business.
 
The opportunities for employment are varied and depend upon the student’s interests and abilities. Careers are available in retailing as buyer, planner, manager, fashion coordinator, market researcher; in promotion ad display coordinator, public relations director, advertising manager; in wholesaling as manufacturing representative, showroom sales associate, and in apparel and textile manufacturing as sales associate, piece goods buyer, merchandising manager, market research; in publications as Fashion Stylist, advertising manager, fashion editor.
 
Guest speakers, field trips and study tours permit students to have contact with businesses and industry professionals. Qualified students may gain additional professional experiences through multiple internships.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Bachelor of Art in Fashion with Merchandising Concentration will be able to:

1. Apply the key principles and elements of fashion design and merchandising.
2. Research, define, and evaluate criteria and requirements for merchandise apparel products and develop planning modules. Discuss factors relevant to design history and theory that constitute apparel quality and fit.
3. Develop promotional planning strategies for target markets, products and events within the fashion industry.
4. Identify and apply the phases of fashion development from design to production, and marketing to sales.
5. Utilize the appropriate technologies to develop visual merchandising layouts, displays, events and presentations.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion with a concentration in Fashion Design or Merchandising must meet the General Admission Requirements as presented in the Clark Atlanta University Undergraduate Catalog.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the General Degree Requirements as published in the Clark Atlanta University Undergraduate Catalog students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion with a concentration in Fashion Design or Merchandising must complete the following courses:
Required Common Courses:  33 Credits
CART 101, Art Foundations I (3)
CART 102, Art Foundations II (3)
CART 277, Computer Imaging Basics (3)
CFAS 210, Principles of Fashion Industry (3)
CFAS 220, History of Costume (3)
CFAS 230, Textiles (3)
CFAS 250, Visual Merchandising (3)
CFAS 314, Promotional Planning Strategies (3)
CFAS 440, Retail Management (3)
CFAS 420 Fashion Show Production (3)
CFAS 480, Internship (3)

Additional Required Courses for Fashion Design: 30 credits

CART 201, Drawing I (3)
CFAS 237, Fashion Illustration (3)
CFAS 240, Apparel Construction I (3)
CFAS 241, Apparel Construction II (3)
CFAS 310, Flat Pattern (3)
CFAS 320, Draping (3)
CFAS 350, Fashion Accessory Design (3)
CFAS 360, Fashion CAD (3)
CFAS 410, Fashion Design Senior Collection (3)
CFAS 450, Fashion Design Portfolio (3)

Free Electives for Fashion Design:  24 Credits

Note:  Free Electives should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, depending on the choice of minor or stackable credentials.

Additional Required Courses for Merchandising:  21 Credits

CFAS 201, Creative Fashion Presentation (3)
CFAS 325, Wardrobe Styling & Consulting (3)
CFAS 401, Retail Mathematics (3)
CFAS 402, Fashion Buying and Planning (3)
CFAS 425, Case Studies in Fashion Marketing (3)
CFAS 430, Trend Forecasting (3)
CFAS 490, Fashion Merchandising Seminar (3)

Merchandising Concentration Electives:  3 Credits

CART 275, Photography (3)
CART 379, Advanced Computer Imaging (3)
CBUS 206, Management Information Systems (3)
CBUS 209, Accounting for Non-Business Majors (3)
CECO 250, Principles of Economics (3)
CBUS 335, Principles of Marketing (3)
CBUS 336, Consumer Behavior (3)
CBUS 431, Principles of Advertising (3)
CBUS 340, Principles of Management (3)
CBUS 372, Personnel Management (3)
CBUS 480, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise (3)
CMMA 201, Survey of Media and Society (3)
CMMA 301, News Editing I (Copywriting) (3)
CMMA 338, Media Advertising and Sales (3)
 

Additional Requirements:

Students in both concentrations must declare either: 1) an official Minor (18 hours minimum); or 2) selects a minimum of two stackable credentials (in most cases 18-24 hours). Students who started as First Year or transfer students with less than 40 earned semester hours would be required to declare their choice of options before the end of the second semester sophomore year. Transfer students with 40 or more earned semester hours are required to declare their intention of a specific minor or two sets of stackable credentials on entering the University.

In most cases students will have 12-15 hours of free electives to pursue interests outside the major or minor.

 

General Education Courses:  33 Credits

 

AREA A: Humanities/ Fine Arts: 6 credits
Recommended: CHUM 230 The Modern Period (3), CART 150 Art Appreciation (3), CMUS 120 Music Appreciation (3), or CSTA 252 Theater Appreciation (3)
 
AREA B: Social/ Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credits
Recommended: CPSY 211 General Psychology (3), CPSY 218 Human Growth and Development (3), or CSCJ 215 Introduction to Sociology (3)
 
AREA C: Natural Sciences/ Mathematics/ Statistics: 6 credits
CMAT 103 College Algebra or higher (3), Recommended: CBIO Biological Sciences (3), CPHY 102 Physical Science (3), or CPHY 104 Earth System Science (3)
 
AREA D: Communications: 9 credits
CENG 105 College Composition I (3) or CENG 106 College Composition II (3) and CSTA 101 Speech Communications (3)
 
AREA E: Financial/ Technological: 6 Credits
CART 277 Computer Imaging Basics (3) and Recommended: CBUS 250 Financial Planning (3), or CBUS 209 Accounting for Non-business Majors (3)
 
Free Electives:  30 Credits  

Note:  Free Electives should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, depending on the choice of minor or stackable credentials.

Study Abroad

Students in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program have the opportunity to participate in CAU’s International Studies Program. Students are immersed in the culture, such as study abroad tours in London, England and Milan, Italy and Paris, France. While studying abroad, students gain a global experience to broaden their prospective in the areas of fashion design and fashion-related retail merchandising.

Plan of Study for Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion Design Concentration

(122 Credits)

 

Freshman Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CART 101	Art Foundations I	3	CART 102	Art Foundations II	3
CENG 105	College Composition I (AREA D)	3	CENG 106	College Composition II (AREA D)	3
CGED 100	First-Year Seminar I	1	CGED 101	First-Year Seminar II	1
CART 201	Drawing I	3	CFAS 237	Fashion Illustration	3
CFAS 210	Principles of Fashion Industry	3	CFAS 220	History of Costume	3
CMAT 103	College Algebra or higher (AREA C)	3	CART 277	Computer Imaging Basics (AREA E)	3
	Total	16		Total	16
Sophomore Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 230	Textiles	3	CFAS 250	Visual Merchandising	3
CFAS 240	Apparel Construction I	3	CFAS 241	Apparel Construction II	3
CXXX	Humanities/Fine Arts Option (AREA A)	3	CXXX	Natural Sciences Option (AREA C)	3
CSTA 101	Fundamentals of Speech (AREA D)	3	CXXX	Humanities/Fine Arts Option (AREA A)	3
Free Elective*	Free Elective	4	CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3
	Total	15		Total	15
Junior Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 310	Flat Pattern	3	CFAS 320	Draping	3
CFAS 440	Retail Management	3	CFAS 314	Promotional Planning Strategies	3
CFAS 360	Fashion CAD	3	CFAS 480	Internship	3
CXXX	Social/Behavioral Sciences (AREA B)	3	CXXX	Social/Behavioral Sciences (AREA B)	3
CXXX	Financial Literacy Option (AREA E)	3	CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3
	Total	15		Total	15
Senior Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 410	Fashion Design Senior Collection	3	CFAS 420	Fashion Show Production	3
CFAS 350	Fashion Accessory Design	3	CFAS 450	Fashion Design Portfolio	3
CXXX	Minor or Credential course 300/400 level	3	CXXX	Minor or Credential course 300/400 level	3
CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3	CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3
Free Elective*	Free Elective	3	Free Elective*		3
	Total	15		Total	15
*Free Electives should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, depending on the choice of minor or stackable credentials.

 

Plan of Study for Bachelor of Arts Degree in Merchandising Concentration

(122 Credits)

 

Freshman Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CART 101	Art Foundations I	3	CART 102	Art Foundations II	3
CENG 105	College Composition I (AREA D)	3	CENG 106	College Composition II (AREA D)	3
CGED 100	First-Year Seminar I	1	CGED 101	First-Year Seminar II	1
CXXX	Natural Sciences Option (AREA C)	3	CXXX	Social/Behavioral Sciences (AREA B)	3
CFAS 210	Principles of Fashion Industry	3	CFAS 220	History of Costume	3
CMAT 103	College Algebra or higher (AREA C)	3	CART 277	Computer Imaging Basics (AREA E)	3
	Total	16		Total	16
Sophomore Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 201	Creative Fashion Presentation	3	CFAS 325	Wardrobe Styling and Consulting	3
CFAS 230	Textiles	3	CXXX	Fashion Elective	3
CFAS 250	Visual Merchandising	3	CXXX	Social/Behavioral Sciences Option (AREA B)	3
CSTA 101	Fundamentals of Speech (AREA D)	3	CXXX	Humanities/Fine Arts Option (AREA A)	3
Free Elective*	Free Elective	4	CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3
	Total	15		Total	15
Junior Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 401	Retail Mathematics	3	CFAS 402	Fashion Buying and Planning	3
CFAS 440	Retail Management	3	CFAS 314	Promotional Planning Strategies	3
CXXX	Humanities/Fine Arts Option (AREA A)	3	CXXX	Financial Literacy Option (AREA E)	3
CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3	CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3
Free Elective*	Free Elective	3	Free Elective*	Free Elective	3
	Total	15		Total	15
Senior Year
	Fall Semester	Cr		Spring Semester	Cr
CFAS 430	Trend Forecasting	3	CFAS 420	Fashion Show Production	3
CFAS 480	Internship	3	CFAS 425	Case Studies in Fashion Marketing	3
CXXX	Minor or Credential course 300/400 level	3	CFAS 490	Fashion Merchandising Seminar	3
CXXX	Minor or Credential course	3	CXXX	Minor or Credential course 300/400 level	3
Free Elective*	Free Elective	3	Free Elective*		3
	Total	15		Total	15
*Free Electives should be chosen in consultation with the advisor, depending on the choice of minor or stackable credentials.

 

Minor in Fashion Design (18 Credits)

The minor in Fashion Design provides students with the opportunity to explore artistic media, techniques and basic art concepts. Coursework can include aspects of computer imaging, history of costume, construction and studio experience. This minor is NOT applicable to Fashion majors.
 
Required Courses:

CFAS 220, History of Costume (3)
CFAS 102, Art Foundation II (3)
CART 277, Computer Imaging Basics (3)
CFAS 240, Apparel Construction I (3) - Fall only
CFAS 310, Flat Pattern (3) - Fall only
CFAS 320, Draping (3) - Spring only

 

Minor in Professional Apparel Design (18 Credits)

The minor in Professional Apparel Design is designed for Fashion majors pursuing a degree with a concentration in Merchandising and provides students with the opportunity to explore technical aspects of fashion design. Coursework can include aspects of illustration, apparel construction and patternmaking. This minor is ONLY applicable to Fashion majors pursuing a concentration in Merchandising.
 
Required Courses:

CART 201 Drawing I (3) - Fall only
CFAS 237 Fashion Illustration (3) - Spring only
CFAS 240 Apparel Construction I (3) - Fall only
CFAS 241 Apparel Construction II (3) - Spring only
CFAS 310 Flat Pattern (3) - Fall only
CFAS 320 Draping (3) - Spring only

 

Minor in Merchandising (18 Credits)

The minor in Merchandising provides students with the opportunity to explore concepts and professional practices related to the retail industry. Coursework includes aspects of merchandising, promotions, and retail management. This minor is NOT applicable to Fashion majors.

Required Courses:

CFAS 210, Principles of Fashion Industry (3) - Spring only
CFAS 220, History of Costume (3)
CART 250, Visual Merchandising (3)
CFAS 314, Promotional Planning Strategy (3) - Spring only
CFAS 401, Retail Mathematics (3) - Fall only
CFAS 440, Retail Management (3) - Fall only