2023 Best Online Fashion Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU) is a private university that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management. This degree requires 120 credit hours, which full-time students can complete in approximately four years. While 94% of students are accepted into SNHU on average, 40% of students earn their degrees.

SNHU students use Brightspace as their primary learning management system, where they can complete courses online with 24/7 access to their digital classrooms. The fashion-focused curriculum not only explores the creative side of fashion merchandising, with courses in Color Theory and History of Fashion and Costume, but students also look closely at the business side, with courses such as Merchandise Planning and Strategic Fashion Management. Students are also required to attend a Marketing Internship that includes skill development for the workforce. Career opportunities may be available as merchandising managers, retail fashion buyers, and retail store managers.

Liberty University (LU) is a large, private university that focuses on "training champions for Christ." LU’s online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising consists of 120 credit hours and can be completed between three to four years with a full-time schedule. This program has three concentrations: (1) Creative Design, (2) Fashion Writing, and (3) General, the latter of which allows students to tailor their electives to best suit their interests. LU also requires students to take two theology classes, a capstone class, and an internship. Graduates of this online degree typically go on to work as fashion designers, stylists, and fashion illustrators.

At LU, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is fully online and asynchronous. Online students have access to the university library and all student resources.

Old Dominion University (ODU) is a public university offering an online Bachelor of Science in Occupational and Technical Studies - Fashion Merchandising that requires 120 credits. Students complete similar degrees in around four years while studying full time. ODU accepts 95% of its applicants, with 58% of students graduating.

ODU uses Canvas to instruct remote classes that are delivered synchronously. Portions of each class are also available asynchronously. This online fashion merchandising program focuses on three pillars of fashion merchandising: (1) planning, (2) procurement, and (3) marketing. Students learn to analyze business results, research various markets, and implement their findings based on the needs of retailers. Overall, 57 credits are devoted to the major, which features courses in Retail Merchandising and Buying, Fashion Consumer Behavior, and Marketing Principles and Problems. A fashion-related internship is also required. Upon graduation, students are prepared to discover careers as purchasing managers, sales managers, and marketing specialists.

The Academy of Art University (AAU) is a medium-sized, private institution that offers seven Bachelor of Arts/Fine Arts in various fashion fields. These seven programs include some common classes, such as Foundations of Fashion Journalism and Digital Techniques for the Fashion Business, and offer several art history courses. AAU provides students with visual presentation skills, historical knowledge, and an understanding of research, concept developments, and art direction. AAU fashion degree programs require 120 credit hours and take three to four years to complete with a full-time schedule. Graduates work at companies that range from Kate Spade and Vogue to Louis Vuitton.

At AAU, students use Brightspace to access their coursework, which is fully online, and students have access to all university resources.

Central Michigan University (CMU) is a public university that hosts an online Bachelor of Applied Arts in Fashion Merchandising and Design. There are two concentration options: (1) Product Development and (2) Visual Merchandising. Each concentration comes in the form of a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Applied Arts. In order to earn this degree online, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, which is typically done within four years. CMU's acceptance rate is 69%, with 61% of students who end up graduating.

CMU uses Blackboard to deliver 100% online coursework, allowing students to study at their own pace. The core curriculum teaches students skills in computer-aided design, 3-D printing, and portfolio building. A minor is also required for students who choose the BAA route. The Product Development concentration investigates the product life cycle from ideation to manufacturing, while the Visual Merchandising program explores consumer behavior and presentation. Besides a mandatory internship, there are a number of required courses, such as Dress and Culture, Fashion Fundamentals, and Fashion Retail Management. Graduates may find employment as stylists, brand managers, and visual merchandisers.

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is a medium-sized, public institution. FIT offers an online Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Marketing for the Fashion Industries. This program is made for students who already have an associate degree, or the equivalent number of credit hours. The major consists of 63 credit hours total. It can be completed in two years with a full-time schedule. Courses in the major include Global Sourcing, International Trade Practicum, International Business Strategies & Fashion Law, and a required Senior Internship. Graduates have worked at Ralph Lauren, L’Oreal, Tiffany & CO, and Samsung, to name a few.

At FIT, students use Blackboard to access their coursework, which is entirely online and asynchronous. Online students have access to all university resources as well as internship placement assistance.