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Fashion Buying and Merchandising (A.A.S.) – Students have the opportunity to specialize in a concentration of applied fashion merchandising courses. Specialized courses include: Fashion Advertising and Promotion, Introduction to Menswear, Fashion Apparel, Introduction to Import Buying, Fashion and Home Accessories, Fashion Coordination and Publicity, and Interior Design. As part of the program, students will study textiles, visual merchandising, retailing, and retail buying. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a Cooperative Work Experience Program gaining valuable on-the-job experience. The degree prepares students for positions in resident buying offices, fashion manufacturers, designers’ showrooms, retail stores, fashion publications, and other firms associated with the fashion industry.

Course Descriptions: Online or PDF

Fashion Buying and Merchandising
A.A.S. Program
Total Credits: 71-73

First Semester Credits
ENG 101 Composition I 3
FBM 120 Introduction to the Fashion Industry 3
MKT 100 Introduction to Marketing 3
PED Activity Course (s) 1
RET 107 Principles of Retailing 3
Social Science Elective * 3
Total Semester Credits 16
   
Second Semester Credits
Fashion Area Electives (Choose two)** 6-7
MKT 103 Principles of Sales 3
PED Activity Course (s) 1
RET 115 Textiles 3
RET 119 Retail Buying 3
Total Semester Credits 16-17
   
Summer and/or Fifth Semester Credits
COM 101 Interpersonal Communications or
ENG 102 Composition II 		3
HED Health Elective 2-3
Mathematics Elective 3
Total Semester Credits 8-9
   
Third Semester Credits
Business Area Elective *** 3
FBM 130 Fashion and Home Accessories 3
FBM 160 Seminar in Contemporary Fashion Buying and Merchandising 3
Laboratory Science Elective 4
RET 111 Retail Merchandising or
MKT 101 Business Mathematics (as advised) 		3
Total Semester Credits 16
   
Fourth Semester**** Credits
FBM 110 Fashion Advertising and Promotion 3
FBM 142 Fashion Buying and Merchandising Field Training 3
Humanities Elective (as advised) 3
RET 109 Visual Merchandising 3
Social Science Elective (as advised)* 3
Total Semester Credits 15
* Social Science Electives include: PSY, SOC, HIS, and ECO.
Day students should not elect ECO in the first semester.

** Fashion Area Electives include:
FBM 121 Introduction to Menswear,
FBM 125 Introduction to Import Buying,
FBM 140 Introduction to Interior Design or
INT 101 Interior Design Studio I,
FBM 150 Fashion Coordination and Publicity,
FSD 120 Garment Construction,
FSD 121 Fashion History,
INT 102 History of Furnishings and Design, and
INT 104 Color for Home Furnishings and Design.

*** Business Area Electives include: MKT, RET, FBM, FSD, INT, BUS, CMP, OFT, LAW.

**** Day students take these courses for one-half of the semester and are on cooperative training during the remaining half of the semester. Hours per week during school attendance are, therefore, doubled.