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- Jihyun Kim-Vick, Ph.D. | mfis@kent.edu | 330-672-1473
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The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as an industry.
The Fashion Industry Studies major leads to an initial master's degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues and provide impactful solutions for the fashion industry.
The curriculum prepares students with critical and analytical skills to address fashion industry challenges, integrating historical and theoretical knowledge while emphasizing effective communication, environmental responsibility and a global perspective.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Applications to the online M.F..I. S. degree are not being accepted until the fall 2026 admission term.
Students who are expecting to pursue coursework or thesis research in a design topic are required to possess a bachelor's degree in fashion design or a bachelor's degree in a related field and substantial employment experience (minimum two years) in the fashion industry.
International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Code | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
Major Requirements | ||
FDM 60005 | RESEARCH METHODS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
FDM 60015 | FASHION SYSTEMS THINKING | 3 |
FDM 60025 | GLOBAL CONSUMER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
FDM 60092 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM 1 | 3 |
FDM 65055 | ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
FDM 65110 | CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
Major Electives, choose from the following: 2 | 3-6 | |
FDM 55035 | HISTORIC TEXTILES | |
FDM 65045 | FASHION INDUSTRY MERCHANDISE MANAGEMENT | |
FDM 65096 | INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | |
FDM 65100 | SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | |
FDM 65120 | FIBER AND TEXTILE INNOVATION | |
FDM 65220 | INNOVATIONS IN THE FASHION RETAIL INDUSTRY | |
Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area: | 3 | |
Culminating Requirement | ||
FDM 60099 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM CAPSTONE 3 | 3-6 |
or FDM 60199 | THESIS I | |
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 60092 may be applied toward major requirements.
Students who select FDM 60099 as their culminating requirement must complete 6 credit hours of major electives to graduate with 30 credit hours for the degree.
Students must complete a capstone report or written thesis accompanied by a visual presentation or representation that is successfully defended and approved by a committee of faculty with feedback from an industry partner. The capstone or thesis outcome must demonstrate an innovative and pragmatic research-based solution applicable to the fashion industry.
Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
---|---|
- | 3.000 |
This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.
First Year | |||
---|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | ||
! | FDM 60005 | RESEARCH METHODS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
! | FDM 60015 | FASHION SYSTEMS THINKING | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 9 | ||
Spring Semester | |||
! | FDM 60025 | GLOBAL CONSUMER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
! | FDM 65110 | CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area | 3 | ||
Credit Hours | 9 | ||
Second Year | |||
Fall Semester | |||
! | FDM 60092 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM | 3 |
! | FDM 60199 | THESIS I | 0-3 |
! | FDM 65055 | ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
Major Elective or Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area | 0-3 | ||
Credit Hours | 9 | ||
Spring Semester | |||
! | FDM 60099 or FDM 60199 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM CAPSTONE or THESIS I | 3 |
Credit Hours | 3 | ||
Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 |
Applications to the online M.F..I. S. degree are not being accepted until the fall 2026 admission term.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
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