Fashion/Design Diploma

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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/Design program, students will receive an AAS degree. Students with a shorter-semester educational goal may receive a diploma.

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

For more information about the Fashion/Design 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

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
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

Required Course(s)

APP 260 - Fashion Analysis and Design Credits: 3
MGT 147 - Leadership Development Credits: 3
MKT 140 - Selling Credits: 3
INT 124 - Interior Design Analysis Credits: 3
Select one course from Option 1 Credits: 3
Select one course from Option 2 Credits: 3

Option 1 - Select 1 Course

MKT 160 - Principles of Retailing Credits: 3
BUS 102 - Introduction to Business Credits: 3

Option 2 - Select 1 Course

MGT 145 - Human Relations in Business Credits: 3
PSY 111 - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 3

Semester 2

Required Course(s)

APP 111 - Visual Merchandising & Design Credits: 3
APP 211 - Textiles Credits: 3
MGT 194 - Relationship Strategies in Bus Credits: 2
MKT 110 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3
Select one course from Option 3 Credits: 3
Select one course from Option 4 Credits: 3-4

Option 3 - Select 1 Course

ENG 105 - Composition I Credits: 3
COM 703 - Communication Skills Credits: 3

Option 4 - Select 1 Course

BUS 112 - Business Math Credits: 3
MAT 141 - Finite Math Credits: 4

Semester 3

Required Course(s)

ADM 221 - Career Development Skills Credits: 2
MGT 800 - Business Internship I Credits: 4
MGT 802 - Bus. Internship Seminar I Credits: 2

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……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

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

Varied Costs

Costs	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 3
Books (approximate)	600-900	600-900	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: $8,443-9,193**

**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 Program or Career Choice?

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).

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 6, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@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.).₍₂₀₁₇₎