Ball State's graduate programs in apparel design and fashion merchandising offer you a well-rounded education in all areas of fashion. Classes take place in the outstanding design and construction labs, which are equipped with much of the same equipment and software used in the fashion industry. You'll also study historic fashions and accessories in the Beeman Historic Costume Collection.

Degree Overview: In the program, you'll build the knowledge you need to make sound buying and merchandising decisions by learning about today's fashion markets, fashion forecasting, and current trends in fashion merchandising and the international apparel marketplace.

You will also study present and historical fashion designers and their contributions to fashion, become skilled in evaluating materials and construction quality of fashion products, and apply techniques and skills required to successfully operate a business in the fashion industry.

Applicants must meet the Admissions of the Graduate School. The department also requires all applicants to submit to the department a letter of intent, a resume, and two letters of recommendation.

Typically applicants are submitted two to nine months prior to beginning the graduate program.

Students must be admitted both to one of our departmental programs and to the Graduate School to enroll as a degree student in Family and Consumer Sciences.