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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

Fashion

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 Assistant
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Forecaster
  • Merchandiser
  • Production Coordinator/Assistant
  • Stylist
  • Visual Merchandiser
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Fashion Director
  • Marketing Manager
  • Product Developer
  • Sales Director
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 131
Science required
  • Core only
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0

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 compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
  • Consider a Media Studies or other minor to help complete elective and gen ed credits.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • 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, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Complete the University Core courses by the end of your sophomore year.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join a student organization, like DECA.
  • Be a student representative for Fashion Snoops.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
  • 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. 
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • 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 an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • 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
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Go on a departmental trip to New York City, Magic trade show in Las Vegas with appointments to fashion brands and designers.  
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing marketing and major requirement and elective courses.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • 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
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • 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.

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
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • 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
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • 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
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • 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
Major map compass icon
2020-2021

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
  • Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.  
  • Map out a 4-year course plan in Degree Works' Student Educational Planner.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to review your CSI self-report, start goal planning, and to discuss tutoring, electives, & degree progression.
  • Take a tour to learn about library spaces, services, & how to get research help.
  • Consider a Media Studies or other minor to help complete elective and gen ed credits.
Experience Year 2
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide. Ask questions about how to use the library.
  • 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, and strategies for success in your program.
  • Complete the University Core courses by the end of your sophomore year.
  • Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for the New Leaders Retreat or Alternative Spring Break.
  • Find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Meet with a faculty member to discuss your personal and professional interests.
  • Take a service-learning class or volunteer to address a social issue (Hands on Greater Richmond).
  • Join a student organization, like DECA.
  • Be a student representative for Fashion Snoops.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Get to know other VCU students and meet new friends from all over the world at a monthly Global Café.
  • Join a cultural or identity-related organization.
  • 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. 
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs and other professional development events. 
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Create an ePortfolio to document academic/professional experiences, accomplishments, and reflections.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, shadowing, part-time work, or independent skill building.
  • Consider NRF participation or submitting a YMA case study, and potentially receiving scholarship funds for an internship, as well as industry contacts.
  • Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Consider who you would ask to serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.   
  • Get plugged into VCULink to connect with students and alumni.
  • Meet with a coach at The Money Spot to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
Year 3
  • Deepen your expertise at finding information in your discipline by working with your subject expert librarian & using research guides.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your academic and career advisors regularly to discuss your progress towards graduation and career planning.
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
  • Take FASH 450 Line Development and consider participating in an independent study program related to product and line development.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood associations, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Create a community-engaged research project.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities, such as the Fulbright Student Scholarship.
  • Go on a departmental trip to New York City, Magic trade show in Las Vegas with appointments to fashion brands and designers.  
  • Apply to be a Diversity Ambassador with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Update your resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Junior year is the best time to study abroad while completing marketing and major requirement and elective courses.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Seek research opportunities and apply for funding through VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
  • 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.
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Research graduate/professional schools at least 1 year in advance of deadlines. Study for and complete any exams the summer before senior year. 
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • 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.
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.
  • Apply for a year-long service or fellowship opportunity after graduation through programs like Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Literacy Lab, Richmond Teacher Residency, or AmeriCorps.
  • Attend professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships (see professional organizations listed above).
  • Continue to find opportunities and organizations through SOC that can help you make a difference and make your mark.
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus or as a board member of a local community organization.
  • Read scholarly articles about diversity in your field.
  • Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
  • 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.
  • Continue to engage in research to create more content for your ePortfolio.
  • Present your research at conference/meeting such as UROP Undergraduate Research Symposium or other conferences. 
  • Reflect on the experiential learning you have engaged in thus far, and discuss with current or potential mentors (peers, faculty, advisors, alumni, professionals).
  • 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.
  • Complete exams, applications, or self-marketing activities for after graduation.
  • Consider training to become an educator through programs like RTR, which prepares graduates from a variety of majors to become effective teachers in high-need schools.
  • Engage with the VCU Alumni Association at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and by joining a VCULink Industry Network and alumni chapter as you prepare to graduate.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed and do a mock interview through InterviewStream or with a career advisor.
  • Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Seek out a faculty member to review and discuss your online portfolio.