Courses Offered by the Program

Listed below are brief descriptions of the courses offered by the department of fashion and interior design for those students focusing on fashion design or merchandising. Please note that graduate courses are numbered 600 and above.

Merchandising and Fashion Design (MFD) courses

  • MFD 101 Fashion Fundamentals

    Overview of fashion terminology, product development, and fashion careers.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    110Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 103 Fashion Visuals

    Introduction to the fundamentals of fashion visual communication. Skills are cultivated in design ideation, innovation, and visual communication utilizing current technology.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 201 Trends in Fashion History

    Students will gain awareness of past, current, and future trend forecasting, and their effect on the fashion industry. This course will provide an exploration of fashion trends and how they evolved and changed over the decades thus influencing and impacting our fashion lifestyle.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • MFD 202 Fashion Fabrics

    This course will educate students about current fashion fabrics and materials used in the production of apparel and accessories.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • MFD 203 Kaledo for the Fashion Industry

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 101; and MFD 210.

    Introduction to the principles and techniques of computer aided design used in the fashion industry.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    322Upon demand
  • MFD 210 Fashion Technology

    Prerequisite: declared Merchandising and Fashion Product Development major or permission.

    Learn how to apply current computer software in merchandising and fashion industry scenarios.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 270 Introduction to Digital Studio and Sustainable Fashion

    Sustainable fashion is necessary to minimize the environmental impact on the industry. This course will develop understanding of digital technology garment construction and its connections to and association with fashion design and sustainability.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 300 Special Topics in Merchandising and Fashion Design

    Selected topics of contemporary interest in merchandising and fashion design. Variable content course. Offered when resources and demand allow. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours when topics change.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Upon demand
  • MFD 301 Technical Planning

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 202.

    This course focuses on apparel development. Emphasis on quality, sourcing, and technical packages.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • MFD 302 Merchandising and Fashion Design Study Tour

    Study of and visits to museums, design studios, historic sites, trade shows, conferences, and conventions related to the fashion industry. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Upon demand
  • MFD 303 Product Development

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 301.

    This course examines apparel line development from concept to consumer. A focus on seasonal collections for product categories and merchandising classifications.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 304 Fashion Law

    This course will provide an introduction to the legal environment of fashion. Students will gain knowledge in how laws and regulations govern fashion businesses.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 305 Portfolio

    Prerequisite: junior standing.

    Sourcing and acquisition of an internship are examined. Includes resume writing, interview skills, website portfolio instruction, and correspondence etiquette, including phone and email.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    110Fall
  • MFD 306 Industry Formulas and Calculations

    Prerequisite: MTH 130 or higher.

    Merchandising/buying formulas are examined for the purpose of understanding six month merchandising plan and open-to-buy calculations. Case studies include vendor relations and negotiation strategies.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall
  • MFD 307 Advanced Fashion Technology

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 210.

    Learn how to use current industry software, such as InDesign and Illustrator, for fashion presentations and portfolio work.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 360 Merchandising

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 304.

    Special topics course in merchandising. Apply key marketing theories, frameworks, and tools to solve merchandising problems.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • MFD 361 Advanced Merchandising

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 304; and junior standing.

    Special topics course in merchandising. Go beyond theoretical knowledge to gain a practical understanding of merchandising problems.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Upon demand
  • MFD 362 Visual Merchandising and Promotion

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 301.

    Hands-on visual merchandising and visual perspective through internet, print and branding. Promotions for community productions, and senior showcase and market.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • MFD 370 Digital Apparel I

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 270.

    This course provides the opportunity for students to integrate basic flat pattern methods and draping techniques. The emphasis is on pattern manipulation to create innovative design enhanced by 2D and 3D technology.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 371 Digital Apparel II

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 370.

    This course develops students' investigative approaches to fashion materials and problem solving. Through the application of flat pattern methods and draping techniques, students develop advanced apparel styles utilizing 2D and 3D apparel industry software.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 372 Digital Flats and Specifications

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 307.

    In depth exploration of the technical design process and communication for apparel products. Students will be introduced to creating technical packages while learning how to communicate design ideas clearly and effectively through digital means.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 400 Problems in Merchandising and Fashion Design

    Independent study for those who wish additional work in specific subject areas. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    1-3Upon demand
  • MFD 401 Internship in Merchandising

    Prerequisite: MFD 305 and MFD 306 with grades of C or better; and permission.

    Supervised experienced in a pre-approved internship in a related field of Product Development or Merchandising. The student must work a minimum of 200 hours for a 3 credit hour internship, complete the student workbook, earn a satisfactory evaluation from the internship sponsor, and complete a weekly journal.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    3Summer, Upon demand
  • MFD 402 Internship in Fashion Design

    Prerequisite: MFD 305 and MFD 306 and MFD 370 and MFD 371 with grades of C or better; and permission.

    Supervised experience in a pre-approved internship in a related field of Product Development or Design. The student must work a minimum of 200 hours for a 3 credit hour internship, earn a satisfactory evaluation from the internship sponsor and complete a weekly journal.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    3Summer, Upon demand
  • MFD 403 Professional Development

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 401 or MFD 402 or concurrent enrollment.

    Objectives include the completion of the website portfolio, research to identify major economic factors in the fashion industry, personal marketing, budgeting, and business etiquette.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    110Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 460 Merchandise Buying and Assortment Planning

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 306.

    Advanced merchandise mathematics. Apply six month merchandise plan and OTB formulas through a simulated buying experience including store planning, merchandising and marketing.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring
  • MFD 470 Advanced Digital Practices

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 371.

    Student will design, develop and present group and individual looks using 2D and 3D industry specific design software. 3D fit, pattern grading, colorways, rendering and technical package components are the focus for knit and woven garments.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Fall, Upon demand
  • MFD 560 Business Analysis

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 460 or concurrent enrollment.

    Analyzing fashion businesses including: target market, location, merchandising classification, human resources, cash flow sheets, profit and loss, store design, assortment planning, marketing strategies and funding. A C grade or better is required for graduation.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 570 Digital Senior Studio

    Prerequisite: C grade or better in MFD 470.

    Students will use a range of industry-specific technology solutions to develop portfolio ready fashion collections and create engaging visual presentations. The development process will include digitally simulated fabrics, original 2D and 3D pattern development, technical packages and garment visualization. Students will master digital tools to design, develop and present innovative concepts.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    330Spring, Upon demand
  • MFD 682 Graduate Seminar in Fashion Merchandising and Design

    Prerequisite: 12 hours of graduate credit.

    Selected topics in clothing and textiles that involve the areas of apparel manufacturing, fashion merchandising, and management trends are systematically explored through critical analysis of literature and through an individual research project. May be repeated for credit. A maximum of four hours may be applied to a degree program.

    Credit hoursLecture contact hoursLab contact hoursTypically offered
    220Spring