Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Fashion Merchandising
What is our Fashion Merchandising and Design program about?
St. Thomas University’s Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising and Design stands out as the only SACSCOC-accredited program of its kind in Florida. Serving as an educational destination, our program uniquely blends creativity, innovation, and business acumen, ensuring our students are well-prepared for the fast-paced world of fashion.
St. Thomas University offers a dynamic Bachelor of Arts program in Fashion Merchandising and Design, featuring two specialized tracks: Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design. Our program is designed to blend creativity and innovation with the essential business and analytical skills needed in today’s fashion industry.
In the Fashion Merchandising track, students delve into the intricacies of buying, selling, and marketing fashion products. Courses span a range of topics, including Personal Styling, Textiles, Fashion Promotion, and more.
Meanwhile, in the Fashion Design track, students can develop various skills essential to the industry. This includes learning Computer Aid Design, Illustration, Construction, Pattern Making, and Sewing Skills. These skills are taught by industry professionals who guide students in creating innovative designs informed by market research and influenced by historical art, design, and contemporary cultural elements.
Why Fashion at St. Thomas University?
Our program in Miami leverages the city’s dynamic fashion scene, showcased by prestigious events like Miami Fashion Week and Miami Paraiso Swim Week. These platforms provide our students with abundant opportunities to immerse themselves in the industry.
You’ll get personal attention from professors with our 12:1 student to teacher ratio.
You’ll have unique learning and experiential opportunities (Miami Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, tours of fashion companies, etc.).
Opportunity to travel Internationally every other year to Fashion capitals of the world including Paris, London, Milan and more!
You’ll have access to industry experts that work right in Miami as guest speakers.
You’ll benefit from hands-on learning through field trips to manufacturers, retailers, and other fashion industry locations.
Project based learning including Professional Development as the capstone course preparing students for success after graduation in the Fashion Industry.
Many Internship opportunities in Miami for valuable learning experiences.
Having access to the variety of corporate headquarters allow for field trips, experiential learning, hands-on opportunities and intership experiences. Corporate retailer’s headquarters located in the Miami area include:
Career Landscape
Many different job opportunities in the fashion industry including auxiliary positions. Graduates can work in fashion marketing, merchandising, styling, licensing, product development, buying, account management and much more.
Average Salaries for Fashion Related Careers:
- Average Fashion: $71,216
- Fashion Marketing: $66,607
- Fashion Merchandiser: $65,540
- Visual Merchandising: $67,718
- Buyer: $56,380
- Product Development: $84,131
- Fashion Brand Manager: $71,502
- Licensing Director: $93,017
- Event Coordinator: $43,029
- Fashion Journalist: $41,616
- Manufacturing Production Manufacturing Salary: $46,000
- Account Executive: $70,000
- Product Marketing Manager: $100,000
- Product Manager: $75,000
- Sales Consultant: $80,000
- Account Manager: $65,000
Internship and Job Placement Opportunities
Miami Swim week, Miami Fashion Week, various corporate headquarters in the Miami area.
Curriculum Highlights
This course is an analysis of the aesthetic components of fashionable clothing as an expression and product of the times. Students will survey clothing and textile designers, build a fashion vernacular, and research fashion designers from the past and present.
This course studies various components of a manufacturer or retailer’s promotional techniques, including visual merchandising. Also, the courses will explore forms of advertising and special events to evaluate their applications in various situations. Students will analyze all facets of the promotional mix, and the impact technology has on the consumer.
The Fashion Merchandising Study Abroad Tour provides students with opportunities to experience a unique cultural view of the fashion industry in cities across the world. Suggested locations would include London, Paris, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Milan, among others. All these cities are full of history of both the textile and apparel industries. Study abroad opportunities combine classroom knowledge with cultural experiences and is a perfect option for students who are looking to expand their knowledge of the global fashion industry. Students will also make cultural and historical site visits.
This course thoroughly discusses the fashion merchandiser’s role as a product line developer. We will explore the processes of apparel product development, including trend forecasting, color and fabric management, garment styling and line development, concept to product processes, developing the brand, business planning, and creative development. Students will research populations, synthesize data, formulate plans, and primary source markets to justify a ready-to-wear collection for a target market of their choice. Students will simultaneously learn how to utilize Adobe Illustrator to create technical drawings, fashion flats, and inspiration boards to create his/her product line for women, men, or children.
For more information, contact Ashlee Rzyczycki at ARzyczycki@stu.edu
For more information:
Ashlee Rzyczycki, Ph.D. | Fashion Merchandising and Design Program Director
St. Thomas University
Gus Machado College of Business
Email: ARzyczycki@stu.edu
Office: 305.474.6812
Mobile: 814.746.8849
Nestor F. Camacho | Fashion Merchandising and Design Program Faculty
St. Thomas University
Gus Machado College of Business
Email: Ncamacho@stu.edu
