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The fashion industry is definitely more than just glitz and glamor! Beyond the surface, this industry thrives because of well-educated and highly-trained individuals who live and breathe creativity! These brainy individuals are as dedicated as they can be. With the right education, you, too, can become prepared for a journey into the world of the creative and the functional!
The Best Online Fashion Design Bachelor’s Degree Colleges, as listed below, are the country’s most well-regarded schools that provide students with the most profound education and training in this field of study.
They make excellent options for future Fashion Design professionals because of their excellent and updated curricula, well-credentialed faculty, and reasonable tuition!
Please check our Methodology page for more in-depth information on how this list was created!
12 Best Online Fashion Design Bachelor’s Degree Colleges
Drexel University
Drexel University makes it to the top spot when scouting for the best online fashion degrees all across the United States. Upon enrolling in the program, you will learn about merchandising, visual design, and business insights.
In the BS in Design and Merchandising, you will be taught how to plan and successfully market services and products related to fashion.
Courses cover different mediums, including televised content and the Internet. Once you finish the course, you can find different jobs across the fashion industry in well-established firms and new product lines.
Location:
Philadelphia, USA.
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design Commission on Accreditation
Program Features:
- Students can join Drexel’s renowned cooperative education program, where they spend six months away from the classroom and receive exposure to industry networks like Urban Outfitters, Nicole Miller, TJX, Fashion Snoops, Marchesa, and so much more.
- You can expand your global knowledge through study abroad options from the Office of Global Engagement. This includes Accademia Italiana in Florence, London College of Fashion, and Ecole Superieure de Commerce Exterieur.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Science in Design and Management
Admissions:
- Undergraduate admission application
- $50 application fee
- Essay
- Official transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Standardized Test Scores
- Financial Aid Information
- Proof of Financial Responsibility (for international applicants)
- Portfolio
Financial Aid:
- Federal Work-Study
- Federal Loans
- Veterans’ Education Benefit
What’s Unique About the Program
- The program tailors each student’s passions and interests through career pathway electives that broaden knowledge in fashion marketing, e-commerce, media and magazine publication, entrepreneurship, product development, and so much more.
- The program also promotes real-world project-based learning.
Baylor University
The Apparel Merchandising program of Baylor University provides students with the needed exposure to the fashion industry’s business side.
This online fashion degree program helps students understand the important knowledge they should have concerning retailing, purchasing, and product development. They are also taught the art of merchandising fashion. This program’s courses include:
- fashion illustration,
- digital retailing,
- merchandising and promotion,
- buying and sales forecasting.
A summer internship also forms part of this degree, and these internships are available not only all over the US but also in Europe. Opportunities like studying in Europe or Study Tour in Montreal or New York City are also available.
You will plan a fashion show and oversee ticket sales, public relations, program flow, and model training in the spring season.
Location:
Waco, Texas
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Program Features:
The program focuses more on the professional side of the fashion industry, where students will learn more about product development, retailing, and retail buying.
- Students can take summer internships for practical and real-world experience.
- Internships are scattered all across the US and some countries in Europe.
Course Options:
- BA/BSFCS in Apparel Merchandising
Admissions:
- At least 17 years old, otherwise a GED Certificate is required before registration
- For transfer students under 17 and with no state-approved high school diploma, GED is not required, provided the student has at least 60 hours of transferable credit from an associate degree.
- Official transcripts (must include a list of all the completed courses, grades, and other information relevant to the educational background
- Standardized test scores
Financial Aid:
- Academic Scholarships
- FAFSA
- Educational Loans
- Federal Work-Study
- Grants
- Specialty Baylor Awards
- Outside scholarships
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Students can do their internship outside the US
- Studying abroad in Europe is possible
Long Island University
The online fashion degree of Long Island University’s BS in Fashion Merchandising has concentrations in:
- marketing,
- public relations,
- economics,
- and journalism.
Students can minor in this program to boost their appeal to potential employers. The school’s unique and creative approach to fashion gears its enrollees for amazing careers in the fashion world.
Location:
Brookeville, New York
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Program Features:
- Students can travel to some of the world’s top fashion capitals.
- The school has an on-campus boutique where students will learn how to craft a business plan or create strategies for social media, branding, and marketing.
- It has a feature called ‘program capstone’ where students can create a fashion start-up. From the concept’s inception to the launching of a product, students will be guided by mentors.
Course Options:
- BS Fashion Merchandising
Admissions:
- You need to create and activate your own LIU account to find out all the requirements before enrolling.
Financial Aid:
- Federal and State Grants
- Scholarships
- LIU Travel Grant
- Work-Study
- LIU Graduate Assistantship
- Loans
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Students get to travel to some of the world’s fashion destinations
- The school has a student-run clothing boutique that features the styles and trends of the latest fashions
- Fashion merchandising students can meet some of the biggest names in the fashion industry in New York City
- During Spring, students can apply for a study abroad trip to some of the major fashion capital of the world. Previous trips included Florence, Milan, and Paris.
- Students can engage in an on-site project and experience the culture, fashion, commerce, and working environment of several fashion destinations.
Academy of Art University
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising at the Academy of Art University provides a solid foundation in fashion management and fashion merchandising.
The program includes major functions needed to manage, plan, and sell fashion products successfully. Every student will learn and develop the critical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s global retail operations through hands-on classes in planning, buying, retail management, and product management.
Location:
San Francisco
Accreditation:
- WASC Senior College and University Commission
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design Commission on Accreditation
Program Features:
- The program teaches you about your responsibilities for choosing and planning a wide range of products to sell in retail outlets. You will learn about market trends, customer demands, and retail formats that affect every person’s buying decision.
- Students also learn more about market research. You should know your audience and understand how market research is essential to generating a profitable business plan.
- The program helps the students become skilled at analyzing patterns in purchasing, inventory turnover, and profitability to give them a more competitive advantage in the fashion industry.
- Students will also gain tactical skills to manage, plan or monitor products to guarantee they are readily available and sold in the right shop.
Course Options:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree in Fashion Merchandising
Admissions:
- A minimum grade of C- in all major and core courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilingual Artist or 108 Composition for the Artist
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- Written communication: Composition
- Written communication: Critical Thinking
- Written communication: Context and Style
- Historical Awareness: Western Art
- Historical Awareness: Surveys
- Historical Awareness
- Cultural Ideas and Influences
- Employment Communications and Practices
- Fundamental Math
Financial Aid:
- Federal and State Aids
- Federal Loan Interest Rates
- Federal Work-Study
What’s Unique About the Program:
- The program is keen on its research and concept development features.
- Students can conduct thorough consumer and market research using industry-standard methods and research tools.
- The program guides its students in producing original and creative merchandising concepts.
- It also conducts a fashion business analysis and creates amazing business plans like finance plans, marketing plans, and sales assortment plans.
The New School Parsons School of Design
This program strongly focuses on the best practices in the fashion industry. Students are provided with and will learn about the theoretical and concrete foundations for entrepreneurial or industrial careers.
Their courses include merchandising and retail buying. When the course is completed, graduates will be exposed to the York fashion industry and armed with a solid mastery of global marketing.
Location:
New York
Accreditation:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Program Features:
- The course called Consumer Behavior focuses on the psychographic and demographic profiles of consumer interest and emphasizes generational marketing while exploring niche and segmented markets.
- It features another course called Medium of Fashion: Textiles and is primarily aimed at design students and design professionals. This covers all the elements involved in the manufacture and design of accessories and apparel.
- Retail buying teaches students how to work with a retail buyer or how to become one himself. This feature is important for retail business owners, managers, and even account representatives of manufacturers.
Course Option:
- Fashion Business
- Fashion Design
- Fashion Industry Essentials
Admissions:
- Completed application form
- Application fee
- Required essay
- Portfolio
- Letters of Recommendations
- Official Transcripts
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Work-Study
- Federal Loans
- Need-based grants
What’s Unique About the Program
- According to 81% of its enrollees, professors in the program put extra effort into their classes.
- The online format makes the program more flexible, thus making it an easier way to complete a degree in fashion.
Southern New Hampshire University
With the online fashion merchandise degree at Southern New Hampshire University, students will learn about the following:
- color and textile theory,
- fashion marketing,
- retail operation,
- consumer behavior,
- and planning and management.
You will also learn more about how to easily distinguish which styles will sell and how you can sell them well.
This online course is administered by industry experts who are already working in the field for so long. And since class sizes are relatively small, everybody gets the chance to interact with the professors to learn deeper about how technology, business, and style intersect. Plus, you will also obtain critical real-world experience once you complete the required fashion merchandising internship.
Location:
Manchester, NH
Accreditation:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
Program Features:
- Helps students identify product life cycle merchandising in the world of fashion
- Applies management techniques and theories to achieve retail objectives
- Examines the differences between wholesale and retail fashion environments
- Analyzes research in the fashion world within a global context
Course Options:
- BS in Fashion Merchandising Management
Admissions:
- Full application
- Electronic Attestation Form (it should state that you received your GED already and that you are a high school graduate)
- Transcript Release Form for all the schools previously attended
Financial Aid:
- FAFSA
- Federal Loans
- Work-Study
- Grants
- Outside Campus Scholarships
- Private Scholarships
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Especially for transferees, you can transfer up to 90 credits
- Students gain in-demand merchandising and business skills
- Industry experts teach all the courses
- Students have required an internship to gain real-world experience
- 24/7 online access to the classroom
Berkeley College
The Fashion Merchandising and Management degree program offered at Berkeley College emphasizes the business side of the fashion industry, enabling you to learn about current technology, retail distribution, consumer behavior, merchandising, sales, and product development.
Professors who have worked for renowned fashion brands will give you close, personal attention.
During your time at NYFW, you will have the opportunity to participate in fashion shows, tour fashion houses, etc. You can attend industry-related events and hear guest speakers from industry experts.
Retail showrooms and retailers will offer you the opportunity to volunteer. You may be able to gain valuable experience by participating in an internship or job-related assignment.
Location:
- Berkeley, California
Accreditation:
- The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Program Features:
- 120 total credits required
Course Option:
- Fashion Textiles for Apparel and Home
- Omni-Channel Retail Management
- Financial Accounting
- Computer Applications
- Business Law
Admissions:
- High School Transcripts
- SAT or ACT Scores
Financial Aid:
- Pell Grant
- Work Study
- Veteran’s Benefits
- Direct Parent Loan
What’s Unique About The Program:
- This fashion program offers courses taught by academically qualified and professionally experienced faculty and guest lectures and presentations from industry experts.
- The capstone course will include a comprehensive discussion of fashion in the workplace, and many internship opportunities are available.
Central Michigan University
Central Michigan University’s bachelor’s degree in fashion and design is Michigan’s top-ranked fashion merchandising and design program.
Two online concentrations enable you to pursue a career in an industry that generates more than $250 billion in US spending each year with its $1.2 trillion market.
A keen sense of style is not enough to thrive in the fashion world. Creating a product that sells is also crucial. Fortunately, this program provides a skill set that will prepare you to be a successful fashion business professional by combining fashion theory with business practice.
This program will teach you how to use 3D printing, CAD, and product lifecycle management software. You will also be able to create an impressive portfolio of work.
Location:
- Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Accreditation:
- The Higher Learning Commission
Program Features:
- 42-45 semester hours
Course Option:
- Apparel Quality Analysis
- Visual Merchandising
- CAD for Visual Merchandising and Presentation
- Advanced Visual Merchandising
Admissions:
- GPA of 3.52
- SAT score of 1110
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Loans
- Employment
What’s Unique About The Program:
- Become a fashion designer and sell your line with the Product Development Concentration. With your degree, it is possible to land a job at some of the biggest retailers, such as Macy’s, Kohl’s, and Target.
Johnson and Wales University
Johnson and Wales University offers an online Fashion Merchandising & Retailing bachelor’s degree if you’re aiming for a career in management, merchandising, marketing, or public relations.
Students will be prepared for careers as marketers, managers, and executives after completing this online degree program. In this course, students will learn about merchandise buying, visual merchandising, and fashion marketing, in addition to fashion and retail concepts.
The skills students gain in this degree program may be applied to internships, summer programs, and directed experiential education opportunities.
A student’s learning, interests, and career goals are considered when designing these programs. A faculty adviser can also help students choose a career focus.
Location:
- Providence, Rhode Island
Accreditation:
- The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Program Features:
- 121 total credits for completion
Course Option:
- Microeconomics
- Retail and Fashion Lab
- The Textiles Industry
- Marketing Foundations
- Managerial Accounting
Admissions:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Resume
Financial Aid:
- Scholarships
- Grant
What’s Unique About The Program:
- There will be internship opportunities, but they are not required. For those who don’t want to participate in internships, students can take 3000+ level college courses related to their discipline instead.
Old Dominion University
With an emphasis on Occupational & Technical Studies, Old Dominion University’s online Fashion Merchandising program aims to develop its students’ technical expertise and theoretical knowledge of fashion and other design industries.
With the fully online program, you’ll have the flexibility of earning your degree at home while still being able to spend time with your family.
The program curriculum consists of both general and technical courses to fully develop your skills. Take up courses in oral and written communication to effectively create reports and lead teams.
Learn consumer behavior, sales techniques, and advertising to become a well-rounded fashion designer or sales manager.
Location:
Norfolk, Virginia
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Program Features:
- During the program, you’ll learn from experienced instructors and improve your skills in fashion product development, design illustration, and garment construction.
- Choose from different electives like Visual Merchandising and Display and Web-Based Organization for Fashion. Through the Fashion Forecasting Marketing Trip elective, you can practice selling fashion products and services by creating business plans and imagining yourself as the buyer.
Course Options:
- BS in Fashion Merchandising (Occupational & Technical Studies)
Admissions:
- Accomplished Online Application Form
- High School Transcript
- Official ACT/SAT Results
- Optional: Resume, Personal Statement, and Recommendation Letters
Financial Aid:
- Reduced Military Tuition Rate
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Work Study Program
- Student Loan
What’s Unique About the Program:
- On top of completing the Bachelor’s degree, you may also add online minors to expand your knowledge base and acquire more skills. You may add minors like Communication, Entrepreneurship, or International Business.
- Aside from the full program, you may also opt for the degree completion path, where you can transfer credits previously taken or have a hybrid learning setup.
- Transfer with ease through the partnership with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). To take up this program at Old Dominion University, you’ll only need an intent letter and the prescribed credit hours to qualify.
Liberty University Online
Gain the expertise in fashion design and sales that you need to start your career through Liberty University’s online Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising.
Develop innovative design solutions that positively impact the fashion community, both nationally and internationally. With this program, you’ll be able to develop products as well as wearable and niche garment pieces.
Aside from the general track, you can also choose between two specializations. The Creative Design track focuses on improving your creativity and design skills.
This is perfect if you’re looking into pursuing costume design and fashion illustration. On the other hand, the Fashion Writing track centers on your communication skills, making you fit for fashion journalism or blogging.
Location:
Lynchburg, Virginia
Accreditation:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Program Features:
- The course list consists of subjects in fashion design, communication, business, and consumer science. You’ll also be exposed to topics in marketing and operations to further expand your knowledge base.
- Towards the end of the program, you’ll need to complete a capstone project where you can demonstrate the creative and retail skills you’ve acquired.
Course Options:
- BS in Fashion Merchandising
- BS in Fashion Merchandising – Creative Design
- BS in Fashion Merchandising – Fashion Writing
Admissions:
- Completed Admission Form
- Official College Transcripts
- High School Self-Certification Form
Financial Aid:
- Federal Direct Student Loan
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Deferred Corporate Tuition Assistance
- Federal Work-Study Program
- Book Vouchers
- Military Benefits
What’s Unique About the Program:
- Experience fashion merchandising first-hand through the program’s required internship. Here, you’ll be able to gain hands-on experience working for design studios or retail stores.
- The tuition rates are guaranteed to be affordable. LU Online has implemented a tuition freeze, so you won’t have to worry about an increase anytime soon.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the types of Fashion degree programs offered online?
There are so many types of online fashion degree programs and areas of specialization. Here are some of them:
- Fashion Design. You can specialize in menswear, sportswear, knitted textiles, and so many other fashion design niches in this field. When you design clothes, remember that this entails intensive research for your target market. You need to be adept with your skills in fabric technology, computer-aided design, drawing, and pattern design. Coming up with something new helps you learn and clearly understand how fashion came about in the market and how clothes impact culture.
- Fashion Communication and Promotion. Enrich your visual skills for fashion! Fashion communication and promotion degrees primarily focus on photography, film, music, digital media, app design, social media, and styling. Once you complete this degree, you can secure jobs in marketing, fashion media, advertising, or public relations.
- Fashion Merchandising. When you take up this degree, you will learn about the purchasing process, visual merchandising, supply chain management, fashion textiles, and ethical issues.
- Fashion Photography. This is perfect for students passionate about photography and fashion. You can learn a lot about digital image production, location shooting, or photo editing. Most graduates of this degree end up working for fashion magazines, advertising firms, or art galleries.
- Jewelry Design. As its name implies, this degree mostly discusses jewelry manufacturing, marketing, and design. Enrolling in this degree means you get to deal with precious and pricey metals, the creation and design of personalized pieces, and the complex world of this exquisite industry.
- Fashion Journalism. Students with a knack for writing and who love to write about fashion can specialize in Fashion Journalism. From broadcast to print to online media, degree holders of fashion journalism can find many jobs in this field. Fashion journalists are highly skilled in various fields, including live reporting, styling, photography, and fashion terminology. As a student, you will also receive a solid foundation in fashion design.
- Fashion Contour. This is specifically for those who plan to design intricate masterpieces in their career. Students will be designing lingerie, intimate apparel, swimwear, nightwear, and other structured clothing pieces. This degree, which utilized 3D prototyping when creating designs, is the most in-demand in the fashion industry.
- Fashion Management. From financing an upcoming fashion line to garment construction, you will learn and master tried and tested management techniques such as merchandising sustainability or social responsibility.
While fashion degrees differ from one another, these degrees are also universal to some extent. Their similarities include the following:
- Color Theory
- Visual Culture
- Textile Science
- Fashion History
- Brands and Identity
- Fashion Market Research
- Trend Analysis
- Visual Merchandising
- Marketing and Promotion
- E-commerce
- Business of Fashion
- Portfolio Development
- Life Drawing
- Fashion Studio
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
What can Fashion Design degree holders expect career-wise?
A bachelor’s degree is very broad. Because of the many degrees that fall under this umbrella, some students sometimes wonder what jobs they can secure once they complete the course.
In a fashion design degree, jobs include:
- Fashion buyer
- Stylist
- Visual merchandiser
- Blogger or influencer
- Marketing Specialist
- Fashion Journalist
- Pattern Maker
- Retail Manager
- Textile Designer
- Brand Manager
Key Takeaways
Overall, obtaining an online Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design from a reputable college can provide students with a solid foundation and essential skills for a successful career in the fashion industry. The flexibility and convenience of online education allow students to balance their studies with other commitments while still receiving the same quality education as a traditional on-campus program.
Through a combination of theoretical and practical coursework, students will learn about fashion history, design principles, garment construction, and digital design technologies. They will also have the opportunity to develop a portfolio of their own work, which can be valuable when seeking employment in the competitive fashion industry.
Additionally, many online fashion design degrees offer opportunities for students to network and collaborate with industry professionals, gaining valuable insights and connections that can help jumpstart their careers.
In today’s digital age, the fashion industry is constantly evolving, and by completing an online program, students can stay up-to-date with current trends and technology. This can give them a competitive edge in the job market and prepare them for the fast-paced and ever-changing world of fashion
Overall, obtaining an online Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design is a worthwhile investment for those who have a passion for fashion and want to turn it into a successful career. With the convenience, flexibility, and valuable skills learned, online fashion design colleges offer a valuable and highly accessible option for those looking to enter the world of fashion.
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