Dec 17, 2024  
2021-2022 SLCC General Catalog 
    
2021-2022 SLCC General Catalog [**** ATTENTION: YOU ARE VIEWING AN ARCHIVED CATALOG ****]

Fashion Design & Merchandising: Fashion Merchandising Emphasis: AAS (CTE)


Associate of Applied Science | 63-65 minimum

Visual Art & Design Division
Library Square Campus
General Information
801-957-4073
Program Information 801-957-2000
Program Website
Academic and Career Advising

Program Faculty
Program Director - Mojdeh Sakaki

Program Description
Fashion Merchandisers are responsible for sales, promoting fashion, forecasting trends, and product development. Fashion merchandisers wear many hats within the industry, moving seamlessly between positions or sometimes focusing exclusively on one area. It is necessary to have strong forecasting, computer, analytical, and communication skills.

Students electing to purse an AAS Degree in Fashion Merchandising will prepare themselves for entry level work in a wide range of careers, such as a fashion buyer, visual display artist, or apparel product developer, to name a few. Students will acquire skills specific to the area of Fashion Merchandising, for example: apparel buying, styling, fashion show production, and analyzing trends. Additionally, students may choose to complete internships with merchants, product developers, and retailers at store and corporate levels.

Career Opportunities
Opportunities in the field of Fashion Merchandising are broad and diverse. They include, but are not limited to:

  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Fashion Production
    • Event Production
    • Commercial Stylist
    • Fashion photographer
  • Social Media Specialist
  • Fashion Stylist
  • Product Developer
  • Buyer
  • Fashion Marketer
  • Retail Blogger
  • Retail Owner
  • Fashion Manager
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Forecaster
  • Fashion Communications
  • Fashion Writer
  • Fashion Editor
  • Personal Shopper
  • Retail sales
  • Sales Rep
  • Merchandiser

Transfer/Articulation Information
This degree is designed for students to directly enter the workforce. The degree does not transfer, but courses do. Students intending to transfer should contact the Program Manager, Faculty, or Programs Advisors.

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx
Books: $700 - $1,000
Supplies: $300
Course Fees: $200 - $250

Estimated Time to Completion
Time to completion is 4 semesters based on a full-time minimum of 15 credits per semester. Less than 15 credits per semester will increase time to completion.

Program Student Learning Outcomes Related College-Wide Student Learning Outcomes
  1 - Acquire substantive knowledge
2 - Communicate effectively
3 - Develop quantitative literacies
4 - Think critically and creatively
5 - Develop knowledge and skills to be civically engaged
6 - Develop the knowledge and skills to work with others in a professional and constructive manner
7 - Develop computer and information literacy

Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to discuss the fashion industry and how the numerous segments of the industry intersect, as well as the workings of the fashion industry including market segmentation, buyer behavior - preparing them for those career opportunities.

1, 2, 3, 4

Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply, key concepts of fashion merchandising, retail buying, special events and promotions, visual merchandising, and image/fashion consulting.

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Identify, classify and apply social, political, economic, geographic, historical and religious factors to the merchandising of fashion and be able to apply that information in projects.

1, 2, 3, 5, 7

Implement technical knowledge and skills of industry specific computer software.

1, 4, 7

Use oral, written and visual skills in applying quantitative and qualitative analysis and employ superior problem solving skills in planning, creating, and critiquing tasks within the apparel industry.

1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Successfully apply and assess the elements and principles of design from research to concept, to final installation in fashion industry projects and presentations.

1, 2, 4, 7

Demonstrate professional communication and presentation skills, and effectively communicate visual, verbal ideas and concepts, and demonstrate the ability to communicate using an educated vocabulary with industry standard terminology.

1, 2, 4, 6, 7

Demonstrate confidence and professionalism in individual projects as well as collaborate with group projects and presentations, using a combination of oral, written and visual skills. Students will be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to lead and work cooperatively with others while demonstrating multicultural awareness and respect for others.

1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Create their career brand and use self-promotion tools/portfolio, in order to effectively market themselves in the industry.

1, 2, 4, 7

General Education Requirements


Core Skills


Composition (EN) 1 course


Quantitative Studies (QS) 1 course


Communication (CM) 1 course


Human Relations (HR) 1 course


Distribution Areas


Choose 1 course from one of the following Distribution Areas

NOTE: ARTH 2710 , ARTH 2720 , MKTG 1050  and PHIL 1120  are recommended. 

Advising Notes


Students who need to take preparatory classes to meet the requirements of first semester courses should plan on extra time to complete the program. It is the student’s responsibility to examine each course description for details of prerequisite classes. Those prerequisites must be satisfied before class may be taken.