Fashion Merchandising Degree Online

Have you got an eye for fashion? Do you know what the next hottest trend will be? Do you have a strong sense of style?

If you answered ‘yes’ to all of the above then you may be perfectly suited to a degree in fashion merchandising. Fashion merchandisers are buyers who know what would be popular with consumers and purchase stock according to such predictions. Fashion merchandising degrees equip students with knowledge of the fashion industry and teach them to plan, buy and sell in order to make a profit for their store. Graduates have the option of working for boutiques, department stores and other fashion related stores.



Fashion Merchandising Degree
Many colleges and universities offer degree in the area of fashion merchandising. Fashion merchandising degrees can be found at the Certificate, Associate’s and Bachelor’s levels. The creative and cutting-edge fashion industry requires individuals who know the fashion arena inside out and have the ability to judge what would be popular with consumers.
Fashion merchandising degrees at the Bachelor’s level provide a more in-depth education of the field of fashion, as opposed to a Certificate or Associate program. A Bachelor program may give you the option of pursuing a minor concentration in a particular area of fashion merchandising as well. If you need to start working as soon as possible then enrolling in a Certificate or 2 year Associate program may be the way to go.  

Areas of Study in Fashion Merchandising
A fashion merchandising program covers a number of subjects including the history of fashion and that of fashion designers. As a student of fashion merchandising you will learn to buy merchandise in simulated purchasing sessions and discover how to market, advertise and design promotional campaigns. Retail management also makes up an important part of a fashion merchandising program. Surface design and home furnishings are also studied during the course of such a program. Students also learn about accounting and marketing principles.

Careers in Fashion Merchandising
With a degree in fashion merchandising you will find many career avenues in the fashion industry. Students from undergraduate programs can find entry level jobs at department stores, small boutiques, specialty stores and textile wholesale companies. Designers, manufacturers and importers of clothes also employ fashion merchandising graduates. Many such graduates can find roles in retail management, event planning, fashion forecasting, fashion journalism and visual merchandising. Someone with a Bachelor’s degree can enter the field of fashion at a number of posts such as assistant or associate buyer, department manager or assistant store manager. Roles can also be found in the areas of distribution planning, mall management and product development.

With a degree in fashion merchandising you could fulfill your dream of working for any of a number of fashion brands ranging from Ralph Lauren to AX to JC Penny. Start researching fashion merchandising degrees today to find one which would suit you best. Using your creativity, ambition and the business acumen you acquire from a fashion merchandising program, you can soon be on the path to professional success.
What can you do with this degree?

You could launch exciting careers in the rapidly growing fashion industry. The career path you could pursue will depend on your degree-level and specialization. You could seek employment in diverse organizations including boutiques, textile companies, fashion clothing outlets, journalism and fashion advertising, etc. Many students with degrees in fashion merchandising are working as merchandisers in retail stores. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has not provided any salary data for this occupation. However, the following relevant careers with salary data are provided by the BLS (2014):


What Can You Do With a Fashion Merchandising Degree

  • Fashion designer
    Median annual income: $64,030
  • Marketing manager
    Median annual income: $127,130

How long does it take to get a fashion merchandising degree online?

The amount of time it takes to complete a degree in fashion merchandising depends on the program you go for and the online study options offered by your chosen college. For instance, if you choose to go for an associate’s degree in fashion merchandising, it would take you 2 years to complete and around 60 credit hours.

What are the requirements to get a fashion merchandising degree online?

Students enrolled in a fashion merchandising degree online focus on fashion industry, completing courses in history of fashion and retail management. The coursework would vary in difficulty level and detail according to the level of your program. In a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising, you will be studying courses such as History of Fashion and Costume, Introduction to Fashion Merchandising, Sustainability in Fashion, Supply Chain Management, Fashion Research and Forecasting etc.

How much can I make after I get a fashion merchandising degree online?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fashion Designers made an annual median income of $72,720 per year, which translates to $34.96 per hour. The top paying industry for this occupation was the motion picture and video industry, paying an annual median wage of $79,240.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:What is taught in the Fashion Illustrator majors in various fashion degrees?

A:The Fashion Illustrator majors of the Fashion Degrees train individuals in the orthodox and contemporary (computer) illustration. You will be taught on how to draw nude and clothed human figures. A wide array of mediums will be used for illustrations, including acrylics, pen and ink, watercolors as well as computer software programs. A portfolio, senior project or internship may also be required at the end of the course.

Q:What are the famous Certificate in Fashion programs?

A:Some of the most prominent Certificate in Fashion programs include Apparel Construction, Men’s Tailoring & Alterations Custom , Dressmaking & Alterations and Pattern-making.

Q:How to make a fashion design portfolio?

A:The fashion design portfolio can easily be made by pursing the certificate in Fashion Designing. The certificate in fashion design prepares you for the workforce in the least possible time with basic theoretical concepts. It is the best way to make your portfolio under the supervision of a fashion counselor or adviser, keeping in mind the latest trends. It will allow you to make a professional diverse portfolio to help you get a good job quickly.

Q:Please provide some basic information about the Fashion Design diploma?

A:You can opt for undergraduate, graduate or professional level fashion design diplomas offered by the campus based or online universities. The key purpose of these programs is to equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge of the fashion industry. Students are taught about the various business skills that are required to progress in the professional field. The course contents of most diplomas cover Fashion Business & Marketing, Fashion Cultural Studies, Fashion Environment and Techniques and Processes In Fashion. Besides, the duration of most diplomas is 9-12 months.

Q:What coursework Fashion Merchandising programs consist of?

A:The curriculum of Fashion Merchandising degree programs varies with the level of degree chosen. The associate level degrees or diplomas normally focus on basic courses such as: fashion history, consumer behavior, and social and psychological influences on fashion. The master's degree in this field comprises of a more detailed curriculum that emphasizes on topics incuding: managing profitability of retail operations, quantitative analysis and forecasting of fashion trends, the role of contemporary fashion centers, and quantitative analysis and forecasting of fashion trends.

Q:What is taught in Online Fashion Degrees at bachelor level?

A:Students enrolled in Online Fashion Degrees at bachelor level study a variety of courses throughout the entire degree program. The course content comprises of general courses, concentration courses, and a final project. A few important courses studied include: design history, patternmaking, garment construction, textiles, fashion branding, couture wear, technology and design, business management, cost control, merchandising, and many more.

Q:What are the benefits of opting for the online Fashion programs?

A:Online Fashion programs are self-paced, thereby allowing students to make their own class schedules and complete as much course as they see fit at a time. Students can also take up work opportunities alongside completing education with online degrees. Online fashion programs are also cheaper in terms of tuition costs and save up quite a bit on the travel time and costs as well.

Q:What career can I pursue with online degrees in Fashion Journalism?

A:If you have any of the available online degrees in Fashion Journalism, you can pursue a career in the world of writing. If you like to stay in touch with latest trends and fashions, hot topics and television programs, and like to write about the, you can pursue a writing career as a Fashion Journalism in any such magazine.

Q:I want to study fashion design in english in Tokyo. Help me please. What options do I have?

A:If you wish to study fashion designing in Tokyo in English, I am afraid you might not find a campus-based institute doing so since Japan's first language is Japanese and that is the mode of communication in their education system. You can get enrolled in an online fashion designing program sitting in Tokyo and complete the degree from the ease of home in English. We have quite a few online fashion designing schools listed on our website which offer courses in English.

Q:While reading about job outlook for fashion designers, I came across the fear of saturation. Why is that?

A:Future job outlook for fashion designers and as an industry is quite stable. However, a section of industry insiders believe that in the coming years, the fashion industry might be a victim to over saturation. One of the main reasons for this overcrowding is the glamor this sector exudes. It is one of the biggest attractions that have caused a huge influx of interest in this industry over the past few years. As long as the industry keeps innovation at its core, professionals thinking about joining this field have nothing to worry about.

Q:Reading about fashion diploma, I came across fashion direction and research. What is covered in this course?

A:Fashion direction and research would be included when searching for fashion diploma. This course is essential for aspiring fashion directors as students are taught the basic responsibilities of stylists and coordinators. Students also get a chance to understand on how to forecast and research new fashion trends. Interested students are advised to search our website for a list of institutions offering this qualification.

Q:What education and skills do I need to become a fashion designer?

A:According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, most fashion designers have at least a bachelor degree in the field. This program will equip you with knowledge of the fashion industry. You can start your career as an intern in the fashion industry, or even set up your own fashion business. Artistic ability, creativity, communication skills, and decision making skills may help you succeed in the field.

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