Apparel Merchandising and Design

Apparel Merchandising and Design

Start Your Fast-Paced Fashion Career

Have a passion for fashion? The Apparel Merchandising and Design program will give you the knowledge and the sales, managerial, and supervisory skills you’ll need to jump right into the fast-paced world of retailing.

You'll learn from valuable hands-on experiences like completing a supervised internship in a retail establishment, developing your own fashion line, and producing a fashion show in the spring.

Once you graduate, you can head straight into the fashion industry or transfer to a four-year program to prepare you for corporate positions.

Apply Now Program Details

Kirkwood is the affordable option! We offer more than $3 million in scholarships every year. 

Graduates of the Apparel Merchandising and Design program will be able to:

  1. Apply practices and processes used in the apparel and textile industry.
  2. ​Execute skills appropriate for the apparel and textiles industry through visual, oral, written, and technological forms.
  3. Demonstrate comprehension of products, services, and target markets in the apparel and textile industry.
  4. Interpret the concepts and context of dress.
  5. Exhibit comprehension of aesthetics and design processes.
  6. Analyze and implement ethical practices inclusive of sustainability and social responsibility.
  7. Apply mathematical concepts and principles appropriate for the apparel and textile industry.
  8. Exhibit professionalism suitable for the apparel and textile industry.

Plan of Study

Prepare and equip students with creativity, apparel industry knowledge and professionalism, in order to actively engage in their organization (such as university or local place of employment).

Program Costs

Apparel Merchandising 

School Year: 2023–24

Program Entry Semester: Fall

Fall Spring Fall Spring Total
Credit Hours per Semester 16 16 16 18 66
In-State Tuition $3,360 $3,360 $3,360 $3,780 $13,860
Technology Fee per Semester $50 $50 $50 $50 $200
Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Conferences/Seminars $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) $1,095 $1,286 $1,152 $1,145 $4,678
Course/Section Fees $0 $320 $305 $0 $625
Laptop (required devices) $1,149 $0 $0 $0 $1,149
Testing Fees $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Third Party Credentials $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Tool Sets $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Uniforms $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other $0 $660 $0 $0 $660
Total Estimated Cost $5,654 $5,676 $4,867 $4,975 $21,172

 

Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $210 (In-State), $281 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).

To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.

Laptop and Sewing Machine Requirement

Students enrolled in this program must purchase or own a laptop to meet hardware specifications within the courses.

Laptop and Sewing Machine Requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

The credits you earn in apparel merchandising are fully transferable to Iowa State University. Two additional years of study at ISU will earn you a Bachelor of Science degree in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design, which will prepare you for corporate positions.

Graduates with Apparel Merchandising degrees can obtain jobs in a variety of different career opportunities.
Explore Careers

Take a Closer Look

Bring your fashion dreams to life at Kirkwood!

Questions?

Business & Information Technology
203 Nielsen Hall
business@kirkwood.edu
319-398-5416