Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Course Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


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Fashion, AAS



Challenges and rapid advancement opportunities set in an exciting atmosphere of change, fast-paced business decisions and competition are offered to you in a fashion career. Take part in the action where style becomes a way of expression in apparel and accessories, as well as interior design. A career in the fashion industry could include management, designing, buying, marketing or promotion, sales, customer service or visual merchandising.

The curriculum has been designed with the help of employers in both the apparel and interior design industries. Many students achieve management positions upon graduation or shortly thereafter because of the specialized coursework and individual effort. Graduates interested in apparel design or interior design usually transfer to a four-year program.

Instruction is based on lectures, labs, internships, speakers and a variety of leadership activities and a variety of conferences and field studies in fashion centers such as New York City. These activities offer the student a chance to interact with key industry professionals and develop an invaluable employment network.

Two awards are offered in the Fashion program. Upon successful completion of the Fashion program, students will receive an AAS degree. Students with a shorter-semester educational goal may receive a diploma.

Fashion emphasizes career development along with transfer options for students planning on attending a four-year college. Contact a DMACC Fashion instructor, counselor or advisor for transfer planning assistance.

For more information about the Fashion program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/marketing.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students may start any semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Fashion diploma or AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1


Option 3 - Select 3 Credits


Semester 3


Option 4 - Select 3-4 Credits


Semester 4


Semester 5


Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 69*


*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$170.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs (approx.) Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5 Semester 6
Books & Materials 500-750 600-900 100-200 500-750 500-750 50-100
Study Tours 150         300

The study tour to New York is offered every other year. The study tour is exclusively for DMACC Fashion Institute students.

Costs can be reduced by renting textbooks or buying e-texts.

Approximate total for program: $14,430-15,630**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Design visual presentations to project seasonal trends that generate customer excitement.
  • Develop promotional strategies to communicate a strong fashion image via visual merchandising, fashion events, social media, and advertising.
  • Lead a team within a retail environment.
  • Curate product selection for unique markets.
  • Perform PR functions.
  • Coordinate styling for photoshoots for both apparel and interiors.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Acquire?


  • Evaluate textiles in a variety of situations.
  • Design and implement retail interior and window displays.
  • Execute brand strategies and tactics.
  • Effectively sell merchandise in wholesale and retail settings.
  • Plan, promote and execute events.
  • Complete a professional design presentation including vision boards, fashion illustrations, and computer renderings.
  • Analytical skills to make better informed business decisions.
  • Research trends in fashion to be used in multiple different applications.

What Else Should I Consider about this Degree program?


You have the choice to enhance your degree with a variety of additional options with our certificates including:

  • Fashion Styling
  • Interior Design
  • Digital Marketing
  • Leadership & Management

The program provides flexibility to those who want to continue their education at a 4-year school or go right into the workforce. The program offers the opportunity to explore future career options by providing multiple internships and study tours where students get the chance to make connections industry professionals. Fashion career opportunities are available globally. A fashion career offers variety and flexibility with high earning potential.

Program Competencies


  1. Demonstrate functional knowledge of technology relative to design development, textile choices, distribution, & marketing.
  2. Analyze & synthesize data for use in making calculations that support business decisions.
  3. Recognize & employ the Elements & Principles of Design to create aesthetically pleasing projects.
  4. Successfully articulate fashion industry knowledge in oral & visual forms.
  5. Utilize the unique aspects of fashion marketing to develop strategic promotional plans in print, visual displays, online marketing, & events.
  6. Demonstrate appropriate use of fashion industry resources to make informed and creative decisions.
  7. Apply the properties and characteristics of textiles to determine appropriate care and end uses.
  8. Discuss the history, theory, & cultural roles of fashion from a global perspective.
  9. Illustrate the fashion industry process from design concept to consumer.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6216, title9@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2018)