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Career options 
Take the first step toward a career in fashion merchandising with this 60-credit-hour degree program. You’ll receive an overview of all phases of fashion merchandising: not only the business aspects, but also the aesthetic and creative sides of fashion, such as visual merchandising, fashion forecasting and textiles. Study fashion history and trends, and explore their influence on our lives.
Harper College’s academic facilities simulate the professional atmosphere of the fashion industry. Gain real-world experience by participating in the annual Student Fashion Show, which features original student work. You’ll also work with Studio V, a professional student-run boutique offering locally designed apparel, jewelry, accessories, sculpture, art and other original pieces. A jury show allows you to showcase your work and receive critiques from industry professionals. You can also participate in the Harper’s Bizarre Fashion Club, along with dozens of other student organizations.
When you complete this program, you’ll be ready to explore career paths in various areas of fashion merchandising, including fashion coordinating, fashion promoting, fashion show production, fashion displaying, styling, sourcing, apparel quality assessment, retail buying, store managing and more.
This 60 credit-hour curriculum provides all the phases of fashion merchandising, not only in business aspects, but also in aesthetic and creative sides of fashion, such as Visual Merchandising, Fashion Forecasting and Textiles. Students will study fashion history and trends as well as their influence on our lives. Students will also take courses in English composition, computer information systems, sociology and introductory psychology.
An educational background in fashion merchandising opens the door to various careers, such as fashion coordinating, fashion promoting, fashion show production, fashion displaying, stylist, sourcing, apparel quality assessment, retail buying and store managing.
F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 110 | Costume History + | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces the elements of design and color in historical perspective. Surveys historical periods of time focusing on costumes. Examines the influences of social, political and economic forces on fashion in these periods. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 112 | Fashion Basics | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Presents fashion merchandise through evaluation of fashion products. Develops awareness of construction, as well as workmanship and design elements, such as fabric, color, silhouette and taste. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| GRA 101 | Introduction to Graphic Arts Technology | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides students an overview of past, present and future graphic arts processes including graphic applications for design/layout, imaging, photography, prepress, print and finishing. Direction is provided on occupations in the Graphic Arts industry and the use of digital applications related to producing print materials. Provides a hands-on understanding of desktop publishing software through lab and lecture. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| MGT 111 | Introduction to Business Organization | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ART 105 | Introduction to Visual Art | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces the visual arts with an emphasis on creating awareness of aesthetics, artistic concepts, media, theory and criticism. In addition, students will develop a critical understanding of art and build visual literacy. IAI F2 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 107 | Textiles I | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Explores natural and manufactured fibers, their production, uses, and characteristics. Includes discussion of yarns, fabrics, finishes, design methods, aesthetic applications, and ordering specifications. Emphasizes traditional techniques as well as advancements in technology utilized in the textile industry. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| MGT 150 | Business Math | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| MKT 106 | Retail Merchandising | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Focuses upon the merchandising activities related to hardlines, apparel, and other softline merchandise. Examines the role and qualifications of the buyer and the influence of consumer preference. Includes budgeting by dollars and assortment, pricing strategy, managing assortments, the selection and promotion of merchandise, and the coordinator of merchandising functions and processes. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Investigates human and animal behavior with emphasis on the scientific nature of contemporary and classic psychological investigation. Emphasizes psychological theories, principles, and research applications. Introduces the divisions of the American Psychological Association. References biological processes, sensation, perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotional life, mental disorders, intelligence, aptitude, personality, development, daily life and everyday problems. IAI S6 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAS 212 | Visual Fashion Merchandising F | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: FAS 112 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 220 | Apparel Analysis F | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: FAS 107. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 230 | Fashion Forecasting F | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the fall term. Prerequisite: GRA 101 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| MKT 140 | Principles of Professional Selling | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Focuses upon the principal factors of successful selling of goods or ideas. Examines buying motives, sales psychology, customer approach and sales techniques. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAS 116 | Fashion Industries Career Practicum and Seminar | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Studies an overview of career and employment possibilities in the fashion businesses and industries. Places emphasis on individual career path selections through interest testing and career counseling. (NOTE: Concurrent employment of ten hours or more in a fashion related field is required. Contact program coordinator for additional information.) Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 225 | Global Sourcing of Apparel and Textiles S | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the spring term. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| FAS 229 | Promotion of Fashion S | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description:
This course is only offered in the spring term. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| MKT 245 | Principles of Marketing | 3 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Focuses on marketing activities that will cover product planning, pricing strategies and promotional efforts including advertising, selling and sales promotions and distribution channel effectiveness. Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 |
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| Social and Behavioral Science1 | 3 | AAS General Education | |
+ - This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
1 - See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
Students interested in fashion merchandising may also be interested in:
For more information about the Fashion Merchandising Degree program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.