Apparel Merchandising (BA)

Program Description

This major prepares you for a broad range of careers, such as retail buyer, retail merchandiser, sales manager, marketing director, fashion coordinator, production manager, sourcing specialist, product developer, brand manager, visual merchandiser, image consultant, business owner, entrepreneur, fashion stylist, and store manager.

Spreadsheet Competency

Demonstration of spreadsheet competency, explained in detail on the website of the School of Business, Government, and Economics, is required of all students graduating with this major. You can document this by passing BUS 1700 Spreadsheets or by scoring at least 60 percent on the basic Microsoft Office Specialist exam for Microsoft Excel 2013, 2016, or later.

Entering and Completing the Major

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

The Apparel Design and Apparel Merchandising specializations offer exciting opportunities for students to earn an associate arts degree by participating in a one-year liaison program with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City.

FIT is a specialized college of art, design, business, and technology devoted to preparing students for careers in fashion and related professions. Accredited with the state of New York, FIT allows visiting SPU students to be enrolled full time at Seattle Pacific University, and — if in good academic standing — to earn both an associate of arts degree from FIT and a bachelor of arts degree from SPU by double counting coursework.

General education requirements and core courses of FCS and Apparel Design and Merchandising taken at SPU are transferred to fulfill those required at FIT; likewise, coursework taken at FIT transfers back toward total credit requirements for graduation at SPU.

FIT offers the following one-year programs in which SPU students or graduates can participate:

Fashion Business Management

For careers in retail and wholesale organizations in buying, sales, merchandising, management, fashion coordination, advertising, publicity, styling, sales, or marketing.

Fashion Design

For positions as designers, assistant designers, technical designers, stylists, or fashion executives.

Communication Design Foundation

For careers in advertising, direct marketing, sales promotion, and publicity/public relations, and journalism.

Textile Development and Marketing

For positions as designers, colorists, stylists, studio directors, sourcing specialists and mill-liaison executives for screen- and machine-printed fabrics.

If you are considering this option, speak with your academic counselor and faculty advisor early in your academic career in order to meet the requirements of both FIT and SPU.