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Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

The global fashion industry is competitive, but also offers an incredibly rewarding career. With our Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree, you can gain real-world experience, valuable connections and an in-depth understanding of fashion’s global value chain to stand out and thrive in the industry.

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Program Information for Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as an industry.

The Fashion Industry Studies major leads to an initial master's degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues and provide impactful solutions for the fashion industry.

The curriculum prepares students with critical and analytical skills to address fashion industry challenges, integrating historical and theoretical knowledge while emphasizing effective communication, environmental responsibility and a global perspective.

Admissions for Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the online M.F..I. S. degree are not being accepted until the fall 2026 admission term.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university1
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcripts(s)
  • GRE or GMAT scores if GPA is below 3.000 for conditional admission
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement (maximum 1,000 words) relating career/academic goals and research interests as they relate to critical issue(s) the applicant has identified in current fashion industry practice
  • Supportive materials that demonstrate research and writing capabilities (e.g., significant term paper, research project report)
    • Design-focused applicants may also submit an optional visual portfolio with a minimum 5-10 examples of work in any media documenting the design process
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

Students who are expecting to pursue coursework or thesis research in a design topic are required to possess a bachelor's degree in fashion design or a bachelor's degree in a related field and substantial employment experience (minimum two years) in the fashion industry.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Funding deadline: February 15
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
    • Application deadline: April 15
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) received after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. 

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze the elements of a fashion industry problem and identify pertinent issues. (Critical Thinking)
  2. Employ research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies to solve industry problems. (Analytical Skills)
  3. Analyze and synthesize collected data to generate pragmatic solutions through testing and experimentation that connect fashion history, theory and/or practice(s). (Problem-Solving Skills)
  4. Use suitable technologies to make effective visual, spoken and written communications. (Professionalism and Communication)
  5. Analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and generate solutions to industry problems that create long-term value and shared prosperity for the broad array of stakeholders. (Environmental and Social Responsibility)
  6. Appraise the diverse viewpoints and various cultural factors to draw solutions for fashion industry problems. (Global Mindset)

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
FDM 60005RESEARCH METHODS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
FDM 60015FASHION SYSTEMS THINKING 3
FDM 60025GLOBAL CONSUMER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
FDM 60092FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM 13
FDM 65055ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
FDM 65110CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
Major Electives, choose from the following: 23-6
FDM 55035
HISTORIC TEXTILES
FDM 65045
FASHION INDUSTRY MERCHANDISE MANAGEMENT
FDM 65096
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
FDM 65100
SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY
FDM 65120
FIBER AND TEXTILE INNOVATION
FDM 65220
INNOVATIONS IN THE FASHION RETAIL INDUSTRY
Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area:3
Culminating Requirement
FDM 60099FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM CAPSTONE 33-6
or FDM 60199 THESIS I
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 60092 may be applied toward major requirements.

2

Students who select FDM 60099 as their culminating requirement must complete 6 credit hours of major electives to graduate with 30 credit hours for the degree.

3

Students must complete a capstone report or written thesis accompanied by a visual presentation or representation that is successfully defended and approved by a committee of faculty with feedback from an industry partner. The capstone or thesis outcome must demonstrate an innovative and pragmatic research-based solution applicable to the fashion industry.

Progression Requirements
  • Good academic standing (minimum 3.000 GPA)

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Students in the M.F.I.S. degree are required to complete 24 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis I or 27 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 3 credit hours of practicum capstone.
  • Students without a fashion background may be required to complete foundational coursework (FDM 10033 and FDM 10034) concurrently during the first semester and either FDM 20030 or FDM 30262. Students must complete these courses within the first 18 credit hours of graduate study. These undergraduate credit hours are in addition to the 30 graduate credit hours required for the M.F.I.S. degree.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Roadmap

Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterCredits
!FDM 60005 RESEARCH METHODS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
!FDM 60015 FASHION SYSTEMS THINKING 3
Major Elective 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring Semester
!FDM 60025 GLOBAL CONSUMER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
!FDM 65110 CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area 3
 Credit Hours9
Second Year
Fall Semester
!FDM 60092 FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM 3
!FDM 60199 THESIS I 0-3
!FDM 65055 ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY 3
Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area 0-3
 Credit Hours9
Spring Semester
!FDM 60099
or FDM 60199
 FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM CAPSTONE
or THESIS I
3
 Credit Hours3
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:30

Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • Fully online
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Applications to the online M.F..I. S. degree are not being accepted until the fall 2026 admission term.

Accreditation for Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Fashion Industry Studies - M.F.I.S.

Fashion designers

-4.4%

decline

28,300

number of jobs

$75,810

potential earnings

Buyers and purchasing agents

-8.8%

decline

449,300

number of jobs

$66,690

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Fashion entrepreneur
  • Supply chain director or manager
  • Assistant buyer
  • Inventory planning analyst
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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