Fashion

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):

Fashion Design

Program description

The fashion design curriculum offers technical and design courses that provide skills required in the fashion industry. Individual designs are presented in two-dimensional form, developed and perfected through techniques used in the fashion industry, and then executed in final and three-dimensional form in fabrics appropriate to the design. Junior design students are encouraged to complete internships in the fashion industry in New York City. Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester.

Career opportunities

Graduates find career opportunities in fashion forecasting, product development, advertising and promotion, retail management, buying, and international marketing.

Change of major requirements

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments.

Students are required to submit their application here: http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/

Typical Application deadlines:

For Spring: November 1st

For Fall: April 1st

A portfolio is required (more information here: http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/)

Bachelor-level job titles

Designer
Fashion Illustrator
Garment Technologist
Pattern maker, grader, lay planner
Textile Technician
Textiles (print) Designer

Professional associations and resources

Degree requirements in Bulletin

Fashion

Plan of study in Bulletin

Fashion

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 131

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

Contact information

Department name:

Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising

Building/room location:

Pollak Building, 4th Floor

Phone:

(804) 828-1699

Email:

msbanton@vcu.edu

http://arts.vcu.edu/fashion/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

Explore

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Familiarize yourself with campus resources like Cabell Library and the Campus Learning Center.
Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources.
Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Explore The Vault to learn about employers/ job titles related to your field.
Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.
Visit The Well, The Money Spot, and use tools like What Does it Cost to Be You to learn and practice independent living skills.

Year 2

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Complete the University Core courses by the end of your sophomore year.
Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses.
Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Assist backstage with fashion show as a dresser Spring semester of sophomore year.
Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Attend initial study abroad advising session and work with your advisor in selecting the best school and classes to find proper course equivalencies to fulfill major requirements.
Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Have a draft of your resume and reviewed at drop-ins at VCU Career Services.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests.
Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Year 3

Experience

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework.
Conduct independent undergraduate research. Consider a merchandising class like FASH 380 Fashion Branding or FASH 343 Fashion Forecasting as a way to fulfill 6 upper level elective credits.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
Plan to attend one departmental trip to New York to buy fabric in preparation for senior collections.
Apply for collections classes (FASH 401 and 402).

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing marketing and major requirements in cities like Florence, Paris, and London.
Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Complete an internship in the fashion industry.
Consider an area of concentration within the industry including technical designer, pattern designer, sample maker, etc.
Schedule informational meetings with faculty mentors to learn about their career path and industry connections that may be helpful to you in your finding a job after graduation.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation.
Connect with alumni as a way of building contacts in the fashion industry. The department has a variety of alumni social media groups.

Year 4

Excel

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
Students must complete their senior capstone requirement in their senior year, FASH 404 Portfolio.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Volunteer or work as an intern with the company(brands) to which you intend to apply.
Organizations such of MoB provide local opportunities to work with artisans/masters and to become proficient in your field of interest.
Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.

DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY

Take an additional specialization course such as MOB, a finishing or techniques class to add to your skill set as means of specialization.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Students must complete their capstone requirement in their senior year (FASH 404 Portfolio).
Start applying for jobs and externships.
Expand your network and develop a personal statement.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation.
Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

Fashion

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):

Fashion Design

		MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING	GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY	DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY	EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS	PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.	Familiarize yourself with campus resources like Cabell Library and the Campus Learning Center. Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events! Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs. Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.	Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office. Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources. Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.	Explore The Vault to learn about employers/ job titles related to your field. Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities. Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services.	Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor. Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda. Visit The Well, The Money Spot, and use tools like What Does it Cost to Be You to learn and practice independent living skills.
Experience	Year 2	Complete the University Core courses by the end of your sophomore year. Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value added courses. Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.	Assist backstage with fashion show as a dresser Spring semester of sophomore year. Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA). Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.	Attend initial study abroad advising session and work with your advisor in selecting the best school and classes to find proper course equivalencies to fulfill major requirements. Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.	Have a draft of your resume and reviewed at drop-ins at VCU Career Services. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests. Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.	Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest. Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network. Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Experience	Year 3	See your advisor each semester to discuss degree progression and plans for elective coursework. Conduct independent undergraduate research. Consider a merchandising class like FASH 380 Fashion Branding or FASH 343 Fashion Forecasting as a way to fulfill 6 upper level elective credits.	Create and complete a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions. Plan to attend one departmental trip to New York to buy fabric in preparation for senior collections. Apply for collections classes (FASH 401 and 402).	Junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing marketing and major requirements in cities like Florence, Paris, and London. Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.	Complete an internship in the fashion industry. Consider an area of concentration within the industry including technical designer, pattern designer, sample maker, etc. Schedule informational meetings with faculty mentors to learn about their career path and industry connections that may be helpful to you in your finding a job after graduation.	Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation. Connect with alumni as a way of building contacts in the fashion industry. The department has a variety of alumni social media groups.
Excel	Year 4	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met. Students must complete their senior capstone requirement in their senior year, FASH 404 Portfolio.	Volunteer or work as an intern with the company(brands) to which you intend to apply. Organizations such of MoB provide local opportunities to work with artisans/masters and to become proficient in your field of interest. Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.	Take an additional specialization course such as MOB, a finishing or techniques class to add to your skill set as means of specialization.	Students must complete their capstone requirement in their senior year (FASH 404 Portfolio). Start applying for jobs and externships. Expand your network and develop a personal statement.	Complete necessary exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for next steps beyond graduation. Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation. Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.