This certificate prepares students for entry-level employment in the fields of Fashion Merchandising and Design. Students completing this certificate will acquire entry-level employment skills in Visual Merchandising, Retail Buyer, Retail Management, Fashion Styling, Apparel Manufacturing, Advertising, Event Planning and many other fashion-related fields. Students will acquire skills in identifying clothing sizes, price ranges, and style classification for women, men and children.

Program Outcomes

• Apply elements and principles of design to the development, production, selection, and evaluation of apparel and other textile products.
• Evaluate different fabrics and fibers with respect to their application or end use.
• Identify and appraise a variety of career paths within the fashion world.
• Apply interpersonal and communication skills to solve problems or create solutions within the apparel industry.
• Evaluate multiple factors important to the apparel industry (i.e. Materials, design, quality standards, production methods, profitability, end use, and consumer expectations) to make manufacturing and marketing decisions.

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be prepared for employment in the following fields: retail supervisor, buyer or sales representative, store manager, visual manager, retail fashion coordinator, fashion stylist, display specialist, sewing and designing.

The Certificate of Achievement requirements include completion of the certificate courses with a “C” or better grade in each course. Required and support courses may be substituted with the approval of the Consumer Family Studies Division Chair.