Fashion and Apparel Studies (MS)
The Master of Science in Fashion & Apparel Studies is designed to prepare students to be effective professionals in the global fashion industry. The growth and dominance of large multinational apparel brands and retailers has created a need for professionals who are globally oriented, innovative, have both apparel product development and consumer behavior expertise along with an understanding of social responsibility and sustainability, and strong communication skills. Graduates will be able to serve as integrators who can create value for a firm by synthesizing knowledge about consumer research, product design, product merchandising, product sourcing, and product presentation.
The MS program is unique in that all students complete design innovation and consumer behavior courses to bring an understanding of both to solving problems in the global fashion industry. Concepts and practices from social responsibility and sustainability underlie the graduate program. Students pursuing the thesis research option take 31 credit hours of course work and research. Thirteen credits are taken in fashion and apparel studies courses in topics such as research analysis in fashion studies, global fashion consumers, theories of design and aesthetics, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Six additional credits are taken in research methods and statistics, six credits are available for special interest electives, and six credits support the thesis research. We offer generous graduate assistantships (teaching or research); however, they are competitive. Applications received by February 1 will be considered for funding support.
Alternatively, the MS program is offered in a non-thesis option effective fall 2013. This program of study is more heavily focused on course work than the original MS program. For the non-thesis MS students take 31 credit hours of course work and research. Thirteen credits are required in fashion and apparel studies courses in topics such as research analysis in fashion studies, global fashion consumer, social responsibility and sustainability, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Twelve credits of special interest elective courses from within or outside the department are taken. Three credits of research methods and a three-credit Special Problem project complete the program.
Admission to the program is selective and competitive based on the number of applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. Prospective full-time candidates are admitted for the fall semester only. Part-time candidates may begin in the fall or spring semester. A few funded assistantships are available; complete applications received by February 1 will be considered for funding. The review of applicants begins on February 1.
Today, fashion companies increasingly hire talents with a master’s degree to fulfill important positions requiring sophisticated knowledge and skillsets such as analytics, sustainability, and innovation.
Our FASH Masters of Science (MS) program is one of the best in the United States, well known for its world-class faculty experts, rich academic resources, strong industry connections, convenient location, and student-centric learning environment.
Application materials
As a department dedicated to interdisciplinary research and scholarship, we welcome candidates from diverse educational backgrounds to apply to our MS program, provided they have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution.
The application package needs to include the following:
Three letters of recommendation
Official or unofficial transcript for the bachelor’s degree
Essay (personal statement): describe why you are applying for the FASH MS program, your research interest, your career goals, and how the FASH MS program would help achieve these objectives
Resume/CV
A writing sample (for example, a writing assignment from a senior-level course or term project)
Students whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless a prior degree was obtained from a US institution. The minimum score for TOEFL should be 79, with a minimum Speaking score of 18 on the Internet-based test or 550 on paper-based test to be considered for admission. TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be validated or considered official. We also accept IELTS scores (6.5 overall with no individual Speaking sub-score below 6.0). See the UD graduate college policy for the latest requirements.
GRE/GMAT test scores are recommended but not required.
As a Masters of Science program, we do not require or review portfolios as part of the application process.
We usually consider fall admission only. Applicants interested in departmental funding (e.g., graduate teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or fellowship) shall submit their complete application no later than February 1st. However, the selection process for departmental funding opportunities is competitive.
The FASH graduate committee will review applications in early February. We aim to notify applicants of the admission decision by early March.
Applicants who do not need departmental funding support are encouraged to submit their application by June 1st. We aim to notify applicants of the admission decision by early July.
For questions, please contact Dr. Sheng Lu, Director of Graduate Studies (shenglu@udel.edu).
Additional resources
The University of Delaware’s standard graduate tuition and fee rate applies to the FASH Master’s programs. Please check here for details.
We also offer competitive graduate teaching and research assistantships for selected students.
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.
