Graduate Programs
Fashion and apparel is a $4 trillion dollar annual business worldwide. Across the supply chain, the U.S. fashion and apparel industry directly employs more than 4 million people, who undertake positions ranging from fashion designers, sourcing managers, merchandisers, buyers, and marketing professionals, just to name a few. As the U.S. fashion and apparel industry continues to focus on high-value parts—research & development, design and marketing, demand for professionals with a postgraduate degree in these fields is growing steadily. Graduates of our M.S. program are also highly sought for Ph.D. programs at major universities.
We are able to leverage rich resources from our collaborations with executives in the global fashion and apparel industry, successful alumni, and international advisory council members. For example, our Sustainable Apparel Initiative involves faculty, student, and industry collaboration. This initiative generates interest from around the world and has been covered in Women's Wear Daily, just-style.com, Eco-Textile News, Apparel Magazine and other industry publications.
The University of Delaware is strategically located near world leaders in high performance textile manufacturing. Companies such as DuPont, Gore, and Invista. Furthermore, the department is able to take full advantage of various opportunities in the fashion industry in New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and other major metropolitan areas due to its close proximity.
Look through our graduate programs
Certificate
- Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business Certificate
4+1
- Fashion Design and Product Innovation/Fashion and Apparel Studies 4+1 (BS/MS)
- Fashion Merchandising and Management/Fashion and Apparel Studies 4+1 (BS/MS)
Hannah Laurits
B.S., Apparel Design, 2022
B.S., Fashion Merchandising and Management, 2022
M.S., Fashion and Apparel Studies, 2024
“While I have always been impressed by the quality and value of the classes, the biggest factor that influenced me to stay at UD to pursue a graduate degree was the outstanding faculty.”
“Ever since I was a young girl growing up in nearby Wilmington, the University of Delaware had been on my radar. My parents are alumni, and they always talked highly of their UD experiences. When it came time to tour colleges, I fell in love with the beautiful campus and The Green.
While I have always been impressed by the quality and value of the classes, the biggest factor that influenced me to stay at UD to pursue a graduate degree was the outstanding faculty. Over the course of my undergraduate career, I had many excellent professors who mentored and advised me. I am so lucky to get to continue to work with two huge influences on my undergraduate education, Sheng Lu and Katya Roelse, as a graduate student in fashion and apparel studies.
UD is helping me gain an in-depth understanding of my industry and how I can make a difference. It is providing me with valuable learning experiences outside the classroom and enabling me to network and make connections with others in my industry. I have been thrilled to find out that UD alumni are always willing to help out a fellow Blue Hen!
UD is a great place to become the person you want to be. It has countless opportunities to engage in educational experiences and drive your future career. As I am making many more lifelong friendships with other students, especially through my graduate program, I am continuing to fall in love with the University of Delaware, which is now my home.”
The University of Delaware holistically supports its graduate students, beginning with their health and wellbeing. Benefits include a subsidized health plan and physical and behavioral health services. UD fosters a culture of academic excellence, with committed faculty and staff and access to state-of-the-art research facilities and technology. UD prioritizes professional development with job training, internships and industry partnerships. Graduates further enhance their professional growth and visibility with opportunities to work on interdisciplinary research teams, present their work at conferences and publish in academic journals. Visit the links below to learn how UD is supporting society’s future leaders, scholars, and innovators.
