A student being superimposed in front of a peach-colored background with sketches of clothing.

Design a Career in Fashion

Do you find the fashion industry exciting? You'll learn about the apparel industry and how to work in it successfully—from predesign to postconsumer and beyond—in IUP’s BS in Fashion Studies program. You'll focus on preparing for the many employment opportunities in the fashion world.

Why Major in Fashion Studies at IUP?

Your classes will give you an overview of the fashion industry. Then, based on your specific interests, skills, and career goals, you'll choose one or two specializations to focus on:

  • Design
  • Merchandising
  • Styling and Promotion

Our experienced faculty will guide you through the learning process. They'll place an emphasis on the quality of your work. By the end of your studies, you'll have a professional portfolio to show potential employers.

Classes in the fashion studies program are designed to help you develop the skills all professionals need:

  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Communications
  • Group project organization
  • Problem-solving
  • Professional presentation

Making Sure You're Well-Rounded

You will choose a minor to fulfill your graduation requirements, or you can take additional classes in a subject area that fits with your career goals. Some of the minors you might consider include:

  • Business Administration
  • Communications Media
  • Economics
  • Marketing
  • Studio Art
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre

You can customize the BS in Fashion Studies to meet your needs. And our knowledgeable, helpful faculty will support you along the way.

Get Involved and Get Experience

Employers are looking for leadership and self-initiative. Experiences outside the classroom, like the ones below, can help show you have both:

  • Amazing internship opportunities in all aspects of the industry
  • Student group trips to New York, Pittsburgh, and western ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
  • Guest speakers from industry professionals
  • Study abroad with opportunities that include Study Abroad Italy (SAI)
  • Fashion association and visual merchandising clubs

Imagine Your Future

When you graduate from the BS in Fashion Studies program, you'll be well-prepared to join IUP’s alumni who are employed in fashion industry roles such as:

  • Buyer
  • Fashion entrepreneur
  • Managerial/corporate fashion positions
  • Product developer
  • Professional stylist
  • Sales representative
  • Visual merchandiser

Depending on how you customize your degree, you could also be qualified for positions like:

  • Assistant buyer
  • Assistant designer
  • Costume technician
  • Custom clothier
  • Fashion design entrepreneur
  • Internet sales entrepreneur
  • Manufacturer’s sales representative
  • Manufacturing manager
  • Merchandise manager
  • Museum curator assistant
  • Personal color consultant
  • Personalized shopping specialist
  • Production assistant
  • Ready-to-wear quality control analyst
  • Social media fashion consultant
  • Store manager
  • Stylist
  • Textile testing laboratory technician
  • Trend forecaster
  • Visual merchandiser

Classes and Requirements

Your education will include more than traditional lectures. Faculty members will help you learn with engaging hands-on activities and projects.

Approach your undergraduate education in fashion studies as professional job training. This will help you be prepared for a career in the fashion industry. You'll be expected to develop:

  • Time management skills
  • Teamwork
  • Attention to detail both in and out of the classroom

Your professors will strongly encourage you to be creative, but technical accuracy is expected, as it will be when you get a job. The updated curriculum for the BS in Fashion Studies is part of IUP’s NextGen initiative. This gives you the freedom to customize your education to match your specific interests and goals.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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Fashion Studies Minor

For Art, Theatre, and Family and Consumer Sciences Education majors or by special permission. The minor in Fashion Studies allows students in the creative and educational majors of Art, Theatre, and Family and Consumer Sciences Education to supplement their coursework with additional techniques and competencies. The minor addresses foundational fashion concepts and skills; students then choose additional Fashion Studies courses that complement major coursework and career goals to complete minor requirements.

Full Academic Catalog Listing

The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.

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