West Virginia University

1

Fashion Design and Merchandising Bachelor of Science in Design and Merchandising Students in the fashion design and merchandising (FDM) program obtain a broad-based background in fashion design and merchandising. They may pursue a fashion merchandising or a fashion design option; both curricula consist of a minimum of 128 credit hours. Minors are available in recommended areas such as business, advertising, public relations, and communication studies. All FDM students are encouraged to seek summer employment in the textile, apparel, or retail fields in order to gain experience and integrate coursework into business professional settings. Fashion merchandising students are required to take a three-credit work practicum following their second year in the program. Both program options require an internship in which students apply textile, apparel, and/or merchandising subject matter in a professional setting. The practicum and internship are available during the summer and fall semesters only. An elective, study abroad opportunity enables students to observe the textile, apparel, and retail industries in the European fashion capitals of Milan, Italy, or London, England. The FDM program has established connections with fashion schools in each of these cities. Students who study abroad must register with the WVU Office of International Programs, Third Floor, Stansbury Hall, phone: (304) 293-6955, ext. 0. Website: http:// internationalprograms.wvu.edu . An elective fashion study tour enables students to observe fashion industry and retail sites, view historic costume displays and collections, and network with graduates of the FDM program. A teaching practicum is another elective opportunity that enables a student to broaden his or her perspective. Students are encouraged to enter design and research competitions and exhibitions sponsored by industry, professional societies, and the University. A student organization, the Fashion Business Association, enriches the student experience by bringing working professionals to campus to share their experiences and providing students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills.

Career Opportunities Retail opportunities often begin with an executive training program and may lead to positions in management, buying, allocating, planning, fashion promotion, personnel, or visual merchandising. Placement may be found with department stores, specialty stores, mass merchandisers, discount operations, and with small and large chain organizations. Opportunities in the apparel field include designer, sample coordinator, sourcing specialist, showroom sales executive, and merchandiser. Opportunities in the textile field include sales representative, color analyst, promoter, or educational director. Our students have been successful in gaining admission for advanced work in areas such as historic costume and textiles, social psychology of dress, apparel design, textile design, and business. With additional study at the graduate level, students may secure positions with fiber and fabric producers, museums that exhibit and preserve textiles and apparel, and with colleges and universities. The opportunities are many and the employment possibilities varied. All FDM graduates are prepared for entry-level positions or graduate study.

Program Requirements Students may enter the FDM program as first-semester freshmen. 1. Enrollment in the required first-year FDM courses is not limited. The following courses have open enrollment and should be taken by all majors the first year in the major: DSM 293, FDM 110, FDM 140, FDM 293. 2. Second-level and above courses generally are limited to FDM majors, however two GEC courses, and FDM 220, are open to non-majors. 3. All FDM students may elect to complete a business minor by completing BUSA 340, BUSA 310, and ECON 202 in addition to the Business courses already required and earning an average of C or above in all of the required courses for the minor. Both ECON courses may be used to fulfill GEC requirements and count toward the minor.

General Education Curriculum Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEC requirement. (http://registrar.wvu.edu/current_students/ general_education_curriculum) NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEC requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEC’s you will need to select. General Education Curriculum ENGL 101 & ENGL 102

Composition And Rhetoric and Composition And Rhetoric

or ENGL 103

Accelerated Academic Writing

3-6

GEC 2A - Mathematics

3-4

GEC 2B - Natural and Physical Science

7-8

2

Fashion Design and Merchandising

GEC 2C - Additional GEC 2A, B or C

3

GEC 3 - The Past and Its Traditions

3

GEC 4 - Issues of Contemporary Society

3

GEC 5 - Artistic Expression

3

GEC 6 - The Individual in Society

3

GEC 6F - First Year Seminar

1-3

GEC 7 - American Culture

3

GEC 8 - Western Culture

3

GEC 9 - Non-Western Culture

3

Total Hours

38-45

Fashion Design Emphasis Required Courses: Select one of the following:

3-6

ENGL 101 & ENGL 102

Composition And Rhetoric and Composition And Rhetoric

ENGL 103

Accelerated Academic Writing

Select one of the following:

3

MATH 126A

College Algebra 5-Day

MATH 126B

College Algebra 4-Day

MATH 126C

College Algebra 3-Day

GEC Objective 2B courses

7-8

CS 101

Intro-Computer Applications

4

FDM 210

Fashion/Dress Through History

3

FDM 220

Fashion/the Body/Culture

3

Select one of the following:

3

ARHS 101

Landmarks of World Art

ARHS 120

Survey of Art History 1

ARHS 160

Survey of Art History 2

PSYC 101

Introduction to Psychology

3

SOCA 101

Introduction to Sociology

3

ECON 201

Principles of Microeconomics (Required for BUSA minor)

3

GEC Objective 9 course

3

DSM course - Introduction to Design

3

FDM 110

Introduction-Fashion Business

3

FDM 135

Figure & Fabric Drawing

3

FDM 140

Introduction to Textiles

3

FDM 230

Apparel Production and Fit

3

FDM 250

Flat Pattern Design

3

FDM 260

Visual Merchandising

3

FDM course - Mentoring

1

FDM 330

Fashion Design/Illustration

3

FDM 350

Draping

3

FDM 360

Fashion Merchandising

3

FDM 430

Fashion Design Portfolio

3

FDM 491

Prf Fld Expr:Mrhndsg Intrn-CAP

Business Requirements

3 18

BUSA 202

Survey of Accounting

ADV 215

Principles of Advertising

ENGL 304

Business/Professional Writing

BUSA 320

Survey of Management

BUSA 330

Survey of Marketing

SPA 270

Effective Public Speaking

West Virginia University

Electives

3

26

FDM 311

Fashion Study Tour

FDM 490

Teaching Practicum

FDM 493 - Special Topics course (subject matter changes) Study Abroad ECON 202

Principles of Macroeconomics

BUSA 310

Survey of Business Law

BUSA 340

Survey of Finance

Restricted Electives (Select three)

9

FDM 361

Merchandise Planning & Control

FDM 470

Global Issues and Fashion

FDM course - Knitting for Design FDM course - Fashion Presentation THET 105

Costuming

THET 324

Costume Design 1

Total Hours

128-132

The following minimum requirements are set to insure that students who graduate from the program will have the appropriate skill level and knowledge to succeed in this competitive field. Students must meet the following requirements in order to continue in the program beyond the first year: 1. Maintain a 2.25 overall GPA. 2. All FDM students must earn a C or above in all FDM and DSM courses, and (MATH 126A or MATH 126B or MATH 126C). 3. Any student who has an overall GPA below 2.25 will be notified of the deficiency and will not be permitted to enroll in FDM courses. 4. Students, who have not been permitted to enroll in FDM courses because of low GPA may enroll in FDM courses after meeting the 2.25 minimum overall GPA, space permitting. 5. Any student who has earned a grade of D+ or lower in any of the FDM courses will be notified of the problem and will not be permitted to enroll in the next sequence of FDM courses. 6. Students who have not been permitted to enroll in the next sequence of FDM courses because of receiving a grade of D+ or lower for one of the required FDM courses may correct the problem by repeating the course(s) the next time it is offered, space permitting, and earning a C or above. Please note that most FDM courses are offered only once per academic year. 7. Fashion design students are required to earn a minimum grade of B in FDM 230 and FDM 250 in order to remain in the fashion design option.

Course Sequence It is important that students follow the Suggested Plan of Study that follows, because the FDM courses are to be taken in an uninterrupted sequence and other listed courses must be completed prior to enrolling in certain other courses. Therefore, students are expected to adhere to this sequence of courses. Business and Division Requirement

Suggested Plan of Study for Fashion Design Emphasis First Year Fall

Hours Spring

DSM course Introduction to Design

3 FDM 110 or 140

FDM 110 or 140

3 GEC Requirements

FDM course - Mentoring

1

WVUE 191

1

GEC Requirements

Hours 3 12

7 15

15

Second Year Fall

Hours Spring

Hours

FDM 135

3 FDM 250

3

FDM 210

3 FDM 260

3

FDM 220

3 FDM 330

3

4

Fashion Design and Merchandising

FDM 230 (Requires minimum grade of B)

3 Restricted Elective

GEC Requirements

3 GEC Requirements 15

3 3 15

Third Year Fall

Hours Spring

Hours Summer

Hours 3

FDM 360

3 FDM 350

3 FDM 491

FDM 493

3 FDM Restricted Elective

3

GEC Requirements

9 GEC Requiremetns 15

9 15

3

Fourth Year Fall

Hours Spring

FDM 430

3 FDM Restricted Elective

GEC Requirements Electives

Hours 3

15 GEC Requirements Electives

15

18

18

Total credit hours: 129

Fashion Merchandising Emphasis required courses: A minimum GPA of 2.25 is required in all courses Select one of the following:

3-6

ENGL 101 & ENGL 102

Composition And Rhetoric and Composition And Rhetoric

ENGL 103

Accelerated Academic Writing

Select one of the following:

3

MATH 126A

College Algebra 5-Day

MATH 126B

College Algebra 4-Day

MATH 126C

College Algebra 3-Day

Select one GEC Objective from Objective 2B

7

CS 101

Intro-Computer Applications

4

FDM 210

Fashion/Dress Through History

3

FDM 220

Fashion/the Body/Culture

3

Select one of the following:

3

ARHS 101

Landmarks of World Art

ARHS 120

Survey of Art History 1

WVUE 191

First Year Seminar

1

PSYC 101

Introduction to Psychology

3

SOCA 101

Introduction to Sociology

3

ECON 201

Principles of Microeconomics

3

Select one GEC Objective from Objective 9 FDM Requirements:

3 37

DSM course - Introduction to Design FDM 110

Introduction-Fashion Business

FDM 140

Introduction to Textiles

FDM 235

Product Development

FDM 251

Applied History of Fashion

FDM 260

Visual Merchandising

FDM course - Mentoring FDM 310

Merchandising Practicum

FDM 360

Fashion Merchandising

FDM 361

Merchandise Planning & Control

FDM 470

Global Issues and Fashion

West Virginia University

FDM 491

5

Prf Fld Expr:Mrhndsg Intrn-CAP

Business Requirements:

21

BUSA 202

Survey of Accounting

ADV 215

Principles of Advertising

ENGL 304

Business/Professional Writing

BUSA 320

Survey of Management

BUSA 330

Survey of Marketing

BUSA 340

Survey of Finance

SPA 270

Effective Public Speaking

Supporting Area/Minor Requirements:

12

FDM/Other Electives:

19

FDM 311

Fashion Study Tour

FDM 490

Teaching Practicum

FDM Special Topics course - Select from listing in current Schedule: Study Abroad ECON 202

Principles of Macroeconomics

BUSA 310

Survey of Business Law

Total Hours

128-131

The following minimum requirements are set to insure that students who graduate from the program will have the appropriate skill level and knowledge to succeed in this competitive field. Students must meet the following requirements in order to continue in the program beyond the first year: 1. Maintain a 2.25 overall GPA. 2. All FDM students must earn a C or above in all FDM and DSM courses, and (MATH 126Aor MATH 126Bor MATH 126C). 3. Any student who has an overall GPA below 2.25 will be notified of the deficiency and will not be permitted to enroll in FDM courses. 4. Students, who have not been permitted to enroll in FDM courses because of low GPA may enroll in FDM courses after meeting the 2.25 minimum overall GPA, space permitting. 5. Any student who has earned a grade of D+ or lower in any of the FDM courses will be notified of the problem and will not be permitted to enroll in the next sequence of FDM courses. 6. Students who have not been permitted to enroll in the next sequence of FDM courses because of receiving a grade of D+ or lower for one of the required FDM courses may correct the problem by repeating the course(s) the next time it is offered, space permitting, and earning a C or above. Please note that most FDM courses are offered only once per academic year. 7. Fashion design students are required to earn a minimum grade of B in FDM 230 in order to remain in the fashion design option.

Course Sequence It is important that students follow the Suggested Plan of Study that follows, because the FDM courses are to be taken in an uninterrupted sequence and other listed courses must be completed prior to enrolling in certain other courses. Therefore, students are expected to adhere to this sequence of courses. Business and Division Requirement

Suggested Plan of Study for Fashion Merchandising Emphasis First Year Fall

Hours Spring

DSM course Introduction to Design

3 FDM 110 or 140

FDM 110 or 140

3 GEC Requirements

FDM course - Mentoring

1

WVUE 191

1

GEC REquirements

Hours Summer

Hours

3 Study Abroad (optional) 12

7 15

15

0

Second Year Fall

Hours Spring

Hours Summer

FDM 210

3 FDM 251

3 Study Abroad

FDM 220

3 FDM 260

3 FDM 310

Hours 3

6

Fashion Design and Merchandising

FDM 235

3 Supporting Area

GEC Requirements

6 GEC Requirements 15

6 3 15

3

Third Year Fall

Hours Summer

Hours

FDM 360

Hours Spring 3 FDM 361

3 FDM 491

6

Supporting Area

3 Supporting Area

3

GEC Requirements

9 GEC Requirements

9

15

15

6

Fourth Year Fall

Hours Spring

Study Abroad (Optonal) GEC Requirements Electives

FDM 470

Hours 3

15 FDM course - Fashion Show Production

3

GEC RequirementsElectives

9

15

15

Total credit hours: 129

Practicum Requirement The practicum is a required, three-credit course for all fashion merchandising students, and is designed to allow students to apply the course in a work setting and gain experience. It is offered through WVU in fall and summer only. The summer practicum is six weeks and is completed during one summer session; students register and pay for three credits. The fall practicum is taken as part of a full course load; it is a minimum of 13 weeks. Site Selection It is up to each student to select and secure his or her own practicum site using all available resources. It is wise to interview at more than one practicum site in order to locate the best possible position. Prior site approval by the practicum course instructor is required for all sites. The site must specialize in some aspect of fashion merchandising. Students must select a site that will be different from their internship site in order to enhance their competitiveness. Procedure Students take the practicum after completing all 200-level FDM courses successfully. An application and approval form, signed contract, and resume are required for registration. All paperwork needs to be complete and handed in by the deadlines or the student will be deleted from the course roster. Before registering, a student needs to pay parking tickets, library fines, and check with the Department of Financial Aid so there are no restrictions placed on his or her registration. Prior to embarking on this work experience, all students must participate in the mandatory orientation session(s). Summer orientation is held at the end of spring semester prior to the practicum. Fall orientation is conducted the first week of fall semester.

Internship Requirement The internship is a required capstone course for all students in the FDM program. It is offered through WVU in fall and summer terms only. Fashion merchandising students are required to have a six-credit internship. A six-credit summer internship is eight weeks long and spans both summer terms; students must register and pay for six credits at the beginning of the first summer session. Apparel design students are required to have a three-credit internship; students must register and pay for three credits and complete the internship within one six-week summer term. Fall internships that are taken as part of a full course load are to be a minimum of 13 weeks. If a student is not taking additional coursework in the fall, he or she may follow the time guidelines for summer internships. Site Selection It is up to each student to select and secure his or her own internship site using all available resources including the development of networking contacts. These can be made through the Fashion Business Association, study tour, the WVU Career Services Center, and FDM internship instructors. Students should be prepared to interview when recruiters come to campus during the academic year. It is wise to interview with more than one internship site in order to locate the best possible position that will lead to an enhancement of career goals. Approval of the site ahead of time by the internship course instructor is required for all proposed sites. The site must specialize in some aspect of fashion merchandising or apparel design. Procedure Students may take the internship after completing FDM 361 successfully. An application and approval form, signed contract, and resume are required for registration. This paperwork needs to be complete and handed in by the summer or fall deadlines or the intern will be deleted from the course roster. Before registering for the internship, a student needs to pay parking tickets, library fines, and check with financial aid so there are no restrictions placed on his or her registration. Prior to embarking on the internship, all students must participate in the mandatory orientation session(s). The summer orientation session is held at the end of spring semester prior to the internship. The fall orientation sessions are conducted the first week of class as published in the WVU Schedule of Courses.