What you will study
Receive your own sewing station plus personalized attention in classes with only 15
to 25 students. Fashion minors at the University of Central Missouri start with core
classes that establish a foundation of knowledge in fashion. You’ll also choose several
elective courses in textiles that align with your specific interests and goals or
pair well with your chosen major. Popular options include:
- Sustainability for Consumer Products
- Apparel Quality Analysis and Product Development
- Visual Merchandising and Promotion
- Fashion Buying
Our AAFCS-accredited Fashion Merchandising program provides you the best possible
training in textiles, trend forecasting, merchandising, fashion buying and more.
Excellence in Fashion Merchandising
- The University of Central Missouri’s Fashion program is accredited by the American
Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).
- Ranked: Best Value College for Fashion Merchandising (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities in fashion merchandising
Situated just 45 minutes from Kansas City, the University of Central Missouri offers
the perfect location for anyone interested in fashion. Our proximity to this emerging
fashion center provides access to a variety of hands-on, real-world learning and career
opportunities such as:
- Kansas City Fashion Week: Volunteer during this annual event and meet some of the finest fashion designers
in the local industry. Current went on to show her fashions and model at Kansas City Fashion Week.
- UCM Earth Week: Take part in the Recycle>Restyle>Revamp Fashion Show. As a Fashion Merchandising
minor at the University of Central Missouri, you’ll gain experience modeling in, designing
and producing a show.
- Internships: Learn the ropes of the fashion industry in entry-level jobs and upper-level internships
with leading local companies.
- Student activities: Gain leadership experience by joining the Fashion Business Association student organization,
which hosts community service projects and networking events throughout the year.
- Special events: Guest speakers give you insights into what it’s really like working in the fashion
industry.
In addition to these exciting experiences, your Fashion Merchandising minor is focused
on career preparation. You get access to tools such as WGSN, a digital platform used
by fashion merchandising companies, including Adidas and Coach, to gain insights on
consumer, design and fashion trends. You’ll also create a digital portfolio and website
showcasing your designs.
What can you do with a minor in Fashion Merchandising from UCM?
A Fashion Merchandising minor is a natural fit for product development, buying, visual
merchandising, marketing, social media, fashion show production and store management.
Past graduates of the University of Central Missouri’s Fashion program have gone on
to start their own businesses, including Ivory and Lace, MKT Clothing Co., The Babe
Standard and Pink Boss Network. Other alumni have led successful careers in fashion
with companies such as Walmart corporate, Nordstrom, Victoria’s Secret, Target, H&M
and Kendra Scott.
Planning your future is always in fashion
Do you want to know more about where your Fashion Merchandising minor can take you?
Learn about apparel merchandising job opportunities and get insider information on
everything from typical salaries to advancement potential using our interactive tool
below.
Financial assistance options for your Fashion Merchandising degree
Did you know that 94% of UCM undergrads receive some form of financial aid for this
top-tier education to minimize student debt? Scholarships are available specifically
for undergraduate students in UCM’s Fashion program, including:
- Jenkins Scholarship
- MAGIC Trade Show Scholarship
- Dual Credit Scholarship
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Meet Jessica W.
Fashion Merchandising Major ’15 - Walmart Associate Merchant, Women’s
“The UCM Fashion program provided me with the necessary skill set to smoothly transition
from college to my career. While the coursework taught everyday skills needed to succeed
professionally, I was able to also gain real-world insight by learning from industry
professionals during seminar classes and attending markets and conferences around
the U.S.”
Meet Assistant Professor Erica Spurgeon
BS Fashion: Clothing and Textiles in Business ’09, MS Educational Technology ’07
Prior to joining the University of Central Missouri’s faculty, Professor Spurgeon
worked in fashion buying for Buckle, Inc. She now teaches textiles courses such as
Textile Science, Branding & Fashion Technology and Sourcing in the Global Market,
which exposes students to international fashion trends.
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