What you will study
Our focus on broad study in the fashion industry empowers you to express your creativity,
while also fine-tuning practical applications translating to various careers in fashion.
For instance:
- Learn not only how to create but also sell your fashions.
- Master cutting-edge technology and digital tools such as WGSN, used by top fashion
brands such as Adidas and Coach.
- Understand trend forecasting, product development, store planning, visual merchandising
and branding.
- Enjoy a dedicated sewing station and also work on vinyl cutting and embroidery.
- Develop your own digital portfolio and website to showcase your creations that could
lead to a variety of careers in fashion.
Unlike many merchandising and fashion design colleges, our Fashion program also focuses
on modern and emerging topics in fashion, including sustainability, ethics, branding
and technology. Sustainability for Consumer Products is just one example of a course
you won’t find at other merchandising and fashion design schools. We also offer Branding
and Fashion Technology, which focuses on how to use social media, algorithms and search
engine optimization (SEO) as they relate to careers in fashion.
Excellence in Fashion: Textiles and Clothing in Business
- Nationally accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
- #1: Best Value Bachelor’s Degree College for Fashion Merchandising in the Plains States
Region (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 15%: Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Fashion Merchandising (College Factual,
2022)
- Best Value Colleges for Fashion Merchandising (College Factual, 2022)
Unique learning opportunities for Fashion majors
The University of Central Missouri sets itself apart from many merchandising and fashion
design schools by offering a personalized, hands-on education for undergraduate students
earning bachelor’s degrees in Fashion.
- Internships: Partner with a local company to gain real-world work and internship experience for
college credit. First, work in an entry-level job, then complete an upper-level internship.
Fashion majors learn the tradition of working your way up in careers in fashion given
this unique approach.
- Guest speakers: Learn about careers in fashion from buyers at companies such as Kendra Scott, Nordstrom,
Walmart and Buckle. Kansas City Fashion Week reps often share insight helpful for
undergraduate students working toward degrees in Fashion.
- MAGIC Trade Show: Take a field trip to the MAGIC Trade Show in Las Vegas. Experience one of the largest
fashion markets in the country, where vendors show buyers their products first hand.
The annual event features celebrity appearances, guest speakers and workshops.
- Volunteer: Lend your talents to Kansas City Fashion Week, where you can volunteer, network and
gain more experience for future careers in fashion. UCM alumna Cydni Stafford shares her experience with KC Fashion Week and the inspiration behind her fashion designs.
- UCM Earth Week: Produce, design and model in the Recycle>Restyle>Revamp fashion show.
- UCM Fashion Shop: Join the Fashion Council team to create custom products for sale and practice social
media marketing strategies.
- Student organization: Network with other members of UCM’s Fashion Business Association student organization.
What can you do with degrees in Fashion from UCM?
Fashion majors at the University of Central Missouri graduate with a strong grasp
of the business skills needed to launch many careers in fashion. UCM alumni of the
undergraduate program work at companies such as:
- Target
- H&M
- Kendra Scott
- Nordstrom
- Dillard’s
Other graduates with bachelor’s degrees in Fashion from UCM have started their own
companies, such as Ivory and Lace and The Babe Standard.
Outlook on jobs and salaries in fashion
95% of Fashion majors start their careers in fashion within six months of graduation.
Explore your opportunities, including salary potential and job outlooks, using the
interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for Fashion majors
Among merchandising and fashion design schools, the University of Central Missouri
stands above the rest in terms of affordability. UCM offers a variety of resources
to help finance your education, including university-wide scholarships that many fashion design colleges can’t offer.
We also designate the following scholarships specifically for undergraduate students
earning undergraduate degrees in Fashion:
- Jenkins Scholarship
- MAGIC Trade Show Scholarship
- Dual Credit Scholarship
You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.
Join Us Online
What is fashion merchandising in an online classroom?
Our synchronous classroom experience sets UCM apart from other merchandising and fashion
design schools. Technology like Zoom enables you to interact with your peers and instructors,
so you can attend our online classes virtually from anywhere.
Meet Raquel C.
BS Fashion: Textiles and Clothing in Business ’20 - Owner, Pink Boss
“This program tailors you to take on literally any job in the fashion industry. The
professors truly care about building relationships with the students in the program.
It’s clear they want to see us succeed.”
The Next Generation of Fashion Majors
Meet Jessica W.
BS Fashion: Textiles and Clothing in Business ’15 - Walmart Associate Merchant - Women’s
Footwear
“While the UCM fashion coursework taught everyday skills needed to succeed professionally,
I also gained real-world insight by learning from industry professionals during classes
and attending markets and conferences. The Fashion program set me up for success post-graduation
and to this day has given me endless opportunities to network with alumni in the industry.”
See Student Projects
Meet Our Faculty
Fashion Merchandising and Design experts
UCM’s diverse faculty boasts experience in product development, buying, management,
visual merchandising, marketing and more. As leaders in the field, we’re also helping
to shape the fashion industry with featured work in trade and professional publications.
Your Fashion Instructors
Study Abroad
Learn about fashion in other countries and cultures
Are you interested in traveling to study at other fashion design schools abroad? UCM
Fashion majors spend time in the U.K. and Italy, gaining new, global perspectives
on careers in fashion.
Where Degrees in Fashion Can Take You
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Applied Technology for Learning
As a student, you obtain knowledge in the classroom and then apply it in real-world
projects. Final results of projects are similar to work done in the industry. You
will create a digital product line, digital portfolio, store visual plans, social
media materials, and other projects using updated software and technology, just like
the professionals use. You will have access to WGSN, the top trend forecasting service
used by Fortune 500 companies, for trend research, as well as to the newest garment
designs, prints, and colors for product development. In addition, you will have access
to sewing and embroidery machines, 3D printers, die cutting machines, a computer lab,
visual merchandising equipment, and store and product design software.
View Student-Designed Products
