The Certificate of Achievement prepares students for entry-level employment in the fields of Fashion Merchandising and Design. Upon completion, students will possess a strong foundation in fashion industry principles and practices. The Fashion Program provides hands-on training and industry-specific skills in sewing, design, garment production, retail sales and management, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, and promotion by ensuring graduates are well-prepared to pursue a wide range of careers in the fashion industry.

Program Outcomes

• Evaluate Fabric and Fibers: Students will be able to evaluate different fabrics and fibers with respect to their application or end use.
• Identify Career Paths: Students will be able to identify and appraise a variety of career paths within the fashion world.
• Evaluate Multiple Factors in the Apparel Industry: Students will be able to 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.

Upon successful completion of this Certificate of Achievement, students will be prepared for careers in a wide range of entry-level fashion-related fields, including social media influencer, fashion marketing specialist, retail sales associate, retail supervisor, visual merchandiser, fashion stylist, tailor, garment production technician, fashion design assistant, fashion stylist, showroom assistant, fashion buyer assistant, fashion content creator, wardrobe assistant, and fashion brand representative.

Program Requirements

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 and Family Studies Division Chair.