Online Fashion
Merchandising and Design Degree
Academic title: Fashion Merchandising and Design Major: Fashion Buying, Product Development, and Visual Merchandising Concentrations, B.A.A., B.S.
120 Credits
to graduate
January 11
Next start date
*Recommended apply date is minimum 6 weeks prior to next start date.
Fashion design school online
Fashion is more than clothing. It's a fast-moving industry that blends creativity and business strategy. With our online bachelor's in fashion merchandising and design, you'll explore how fashion products are created, marketed and brought to life while building skills that can support careers across the industry.
We are home to the only online fashion merchandising and design program in Michigan. While completing your degree, you'll work with tools and technologies used throughout the industry, including CAD, 3D printing and product lifestyle management software. These hands-on projects help you build your portfolio and prepare for career success in the fashion industry. More than 90% of our grads secure a position in the industry!
Our fashion merchandising & design program offers 20+ digital badges that help you showcase the career-ready skills you gain through coursework at no extra cost. These verified badges serve as proof of competencies to future employers and can be shared on LinkedIn, résumés or portfolios.
Specialize your skill set by choosing one of three concentrations in:
- Product development
- Visual merchandising
- Fashion buying
Fashion merchandising and design degree overview
| Core credits | 20 |
|---|---|
| Concentration credits | 24 |
| General education credits | 76 |
| Total credits to graduate | 120 |
How much does fashion design school online cost?
The cost shown below is based on the current tuition and fee estimate. Your actual cost of attendance for financial aid purposes may vary based on your assigned tuition rate, the number of credits you're enrolled in and the length of your enrollment period. If you're enrolled in a single module instead of a full semester, your housing and food, transportation and personal expenses will be adjusted based on the number of weeks you're enrolled (for example, 12-week or 8-week modules). If you're enrolled less than half-time, your cost of attendance will not include housing and food, personal expenses or loan fees.
- Military tuition benefits: Active duty, veterans and military-affiliated students may qualify for reduced tuition, waived fees and need-based awards.
What can you do with an online fashion merchandising degree?
A fashion and merchandising design degree can prepare you for careers across the 1.2 trillion-dollar fashion industry, from product development and buying to visual merchandising and brand promotion. Graduates can work for fashion brands, retailers and e-commerce companies or use their skills to launch their own business.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Fashion Marketing Managers | $159,660 |
| Product Development Engineer | $91,010 |
| Fashion Designer | $80,690 |
| Online Fashion Merchant | $80,690 |
| Fashion Sales Representative | $80,490 |
| Senior Buyer | $79,830 |
| CAD Designer | $65,380 |
| Visual Merchandiser & Stylist | $45,300 |
All data and statistics in this section are from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Online fashion merchandising and design concentrations
Fashion buying
With the fashion buying concentration for your bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design, you will learn to develop buying and selling strategies that are in line with specific trends, brands, target markets, distributions and performance goals.
Through the coursework, you’ll establish blending expertise in fashion merchandise management, fashion advertising and promotion, fashion brand management and fashion supply chain management.
Product development
The product development concentration for your bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design will help you develop fashion lines that stand out in the marketplace.
You will learn what it takes to design, create and manufacture fashion product using computer-aided design programs, including 3-D modeling and printing. Coursework will develop your understanding of the lifecycle of a product, including ideation, fabric selection and technical drawing.
Visual merchandising
The visual merchandising concentration for your bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design will give you the tools you need to influence consumer behavior.
You will learn what it takes to design the space around the fashion—display areas, product presentations, store interiors and more—to set the mood, engage customers and sell style. From CAD software to professional portfolio development, coursework will give you the tools you need to chart your own course in the fashion world.
Admission requirements
Transfer Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Submit the application fee
- Submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
Applicants with a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible for admission following a standard application and background review. Applicants with a GPA below 2.0 may be asked to submit additional materials demonstrating their academic and professional experience, such as a resume or personal statement.
Freshman Admission Requirements
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Submit the application fee
- Submit official high school transcripts
Applicants with a cumulative high school GPA of 2.8 or higher are eligible for automatic admission following a standard application and background review. Applicants with a GPA below 2.8 will be considered for admission and may be asked to submit additional materials demonstrating their academic and professional experience, such as a resume or personal statement.