Fashion

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):

Fashion Merchandising

Program description

The major in fashion merchandising requires a strong background in marketing, business and specialized professional courses with an emphasis on globalism. Students are directed toward assignments that will develop their skills in research, writing, presentation and critical thinking. Graduates find career opportunities in fashion forecasting, product development, advertising and promotion, retail management, buying, and international marketing.

Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester. Study abroad programs are readily available for fashion merchandising majors.

Career opportunities

Graduates find career opportunities in fashion forecasting, product development, advertising and promotion, retail management, buying, and international marketing. The Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising is extremely proud of the accomplishments of their alumni and the successful careers that they enjoy. Graduates from both tracks work both nationally and worldwide. Our fashion design alumni currently work for such companies as Ralph Lauren, GAP, Ports 1961, TARGET, Macy’s, SEARS, Victoria’s Secret, Nordstrom, Jonathan Saunders, Under Armour, and Billy Reid. Our fashion merchandising alumni can be found working at Louis Vuitton, Vogue.com, Hanesbrands, Fashion Snoops, Haddad Brands, Urban Outfitters, GUESS, Verdura, One Kings Lane, Nordstrom, MAC Cosmetics, Belk, American Eagle, French Connection, New York and Company, and SAKS 5th Avenue.

Change of major requirements

Student must submit application to VCUarts Admissions.

http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/

Bachelor-level job titles

Buyer
Catalog Production Manager
Fashion Director
Fashion Photographer
Forecaster
Merchandiser
Production coordinator / manager / assistant
Production Development Manager
Stylist
Visual Merchandiser

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.
Consider a Media Studies or other minor to help complete elective and gen ed credits.
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’s museums, parks, festivals, and 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“What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in 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 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.
Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Join a student organization, like DECA.
Be a student representative for Fashion Snoops.
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 fulfil major requirements.
Consider summer for-credit programs such as Italian Fashion in Florence, Luxury, or Jeanology.
Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Create a draft of your resume and have it reviewed by VCU Career Services.
Attend Career & Internship Fairs and events throughout to explore your interests.
Consider NRF participation or submitting a YMA case study, and potentially receiving scholarship funds for an internship, as well as industry contacts.

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.
Take FASH 450 Line Development and consider participating in an independent study program related to product and line development.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Go on a departmental trip to New York City, Magic trade show in Las Vegas with appointments to fashion brands and designers.
Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.

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

Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services.
Complete an internship in the fashion industry.
Identify and research at least three career paths.
Meet with faculty mentors to learn about their career path and industry connections.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Talk to your academic advisor and faculty about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation.
Connect with departmental alumni as a way of building contacts in the fashion industry. The department has a variety of alumni social media groups.
Create an online portfolio to highlight your skillset.
Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor

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 445 Fashion Entrepreneurship.

GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

Take a leadership role in a campus organization or participate in FASH 442 Advanced Show Production.
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

Apply for Internships and volunteer opportunities with community and cultural organizations where your skills will be used and expanded. Seek out organizations who participate in “Fair Trade” and sustainable marketing.

EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS

Stay up to date on industry trends and refine and/or update skills required for your field.
Consider participating in professional networking through relevant organizations.

PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

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.
Seek out a faculty member to review and discuss your online portfolio.

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 Merchandising

		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. Consider a Media Studies or other minor to help complete elective and gen ed credits. 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’s museums, parks, festivals, and 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“What Can I Do With This Major” to learn about employers and job titles in 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 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. Go to your professors’ “Office Hours” to discuss research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.	Join a student organization, like DECA. Be a student representative for Fashion Snoops. 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 fulfil major requirements. Consider summer for-credit programs such as Italian Fashion in Florence, Luxury, or Jeanology. Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.	Create a draft of your resume and have it reviewed by VCU Career Services. Attend Career & Internship Fairs and events throughout to explore your interests. Consider NRF participation or submitting a YMA case study, and potentially receiving scholarship funds for an internship, as well as industry contacts.	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. Take FASH 450 Line Development and consider participating in an independent study program related to product and line development.	Go on a departmental trip to New York City, Magic trade show in Las Vegas with appointments to fashion brands and designers. Create and complete a community-engaged research project. Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.	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.	Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services. Complete an internship in the fashion industry. Identify and research at least three career paths. Meet with faculty mentors to learn about their career path and industry connections.	Talk to your academic advisor and faculty about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation. Connect with departmental alumni as a way of building contacts in the fashion industry. The department has a variety of alumni social media groups. Create an online portfolio to highlight your skillset. Update your “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic advisor
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 445 Fashion Entrepreneurship.	Take a leadership role in a campus organization or participate in FASH 442 Advanced Show Production. 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.	Apply for Internships and volunteer opportunities with community and cultural organizations where your skills will be used and expanded. Seek out organizations who participate in “Fair Trade” and sustainable marketing.	Stay up to date on industry trends and refine and/or update skills required for your field. Consider participating in professional networking through relevant organizations.	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. Seek out a faculty member to review and discuss your online portfolio.