Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Course Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Course Catalog

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Fashion, Diploma

Location(s): Ankeny



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 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.

Program Details


Pathway: Design, Media, & the Arts


More information on this Pathway.

Students may start any semester


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.


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 1 - Select 3 Credits


Option 2- Select 3 -4 Credits


Semester 2


Option 3 - Select 3 Credits


Option 4 - Select 3 Credits


Semester 3


Total Credits Required to Complete the Diploma - 43*


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

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$185.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Books (approximate) 650 600 300-450
Study Tours 150   300

The study tour to New York is offered every other Spring Semester. The study tour is exclusively for Fashion/Design majors.

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

Approximate total for program: $9,955-$10,105**

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

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


For any type of fashion merchandising or management position:

  • Coordinate a team effort in developing and promoting the sale of fashion merchandise.
  • Design visual presentations to project seasonal trends that generate customer excitement.
  • Develop promotional activities such as advertising, visual merchandising, and fashion shows to communicate a strong fashion image for the company.
  • Recruit, lead and motivate members of the fashion merchandising team.
  • Execute merchandising plan, including inventory and budget control, scheduling, store layout, markdowns, training employees, payroll and daily sales records.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Collaborate with coworkers to work effectively with customers.
  • Work creatively with presentation of product lines.
  • Project a fashionable and professional image.
  • Coordinate colors, styles, fabrics and designs.
  • Work within deadlines, schedules and merchandise plans.
  • Communicate enthusiastically about current fashion styles and trends.

What Else Should I Consider about this Diploma program?


  • Individuals with a good eye in design can go into a fashion-related career.
  • The diploma major or the A.A.S. degree major may include an emphasis in apparel or interior design.
  • Option of transferring to earn a four-year degree or go immediately into a fashion career.
  • Internships are paid positions with pay dependent upon previous experience. Rapid advancement and salary increases follow.
  • Work schedules may vary to include some evenings and weekend hours in fashion retail careers.
  • Fashion career opportunities are numerous nationwide.
  • A fashion career offers variety and flexibility. Jobs for career-oriented individuals are plentiful. Pay is based on salary plus bonuses with high earning potential.
  • Average starting salary AAS - $30,000 (2012-2013 Placement Report).

Program Competencies


  1. Employ the Elements & Principles of Design to create aesthetically pleasing projects
  2. Articulate fashion industry knowledge successfully
  3. Utilize the unique aspects of fashion marketing to develop strategic promotional plans in print, visual displays, online marketing, & events
  4. Use industry resources
  5. Apply the properties and characteristics of textiles to determine appropriate end uses
  6. Discuss the history, theory, & cultural roles of fashion from a global perspective
  7. Illustrate the fashion industry process from design concept to consumer

AY2022

Nondiscrimination Statement


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, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. 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, dso@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. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at https://www.dmacc.edu/pathways/.(2021)