Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design
San Francisco, USA
Master degree
DURATION
6 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
About: The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design at Academy of Art University refines your artistic vision across design fields: knitwear, textiles, costume, footwear & accessories, product development, merchandising, and marketing. Studio courses teach industry standards and digital tools. Graduate candidates complete Directed Study and a Final Thesis Project. Degree requires 63 units with minimum grade C and a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as fashion designers, textile/knitwear designers, costume or accessory designers, product developers, merchandisers, or brand managers. Roles include fashion houses, retail, and manufacturing; transferable skills include portfolio development, production, and digital design.
Graduate programs in the School of Fashion refine and focus your individual artistic vision with degree options in Design, Knitwear Design, Textile Design, Costume Design, Footwear & Accessory Design, Fashion Product Development, Fashion Merchandising & Management, and Fashion Marketing & Brand Management. Studio courses hone your knowledge of industry standards, combining design excellence with the mastery of the latest digital tools. Graduate candidates are guided through Directed Study which culminates in the production of a final collection, portfolio, or project.
Unit Requirements
Degree Requirements
MFA Fashion Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the Final Thesis Project
- Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course
- 1 Cross-Cultural Understanding course
Semester 1
- FSH 650: Introduction to Fashion Design
Elective / 3 Units - FSH 651: Fashion Construction
Elective / 3 Units - GLA 613: History of 20th-Century Fashion Arts
Graduate Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 2
- FSH 600A: Fashion Design
Major / 3 Units - FSH 601A: 3D Design 1
Major / 3 Units - GLA 603: Anthropology: Experiencing Culture
Graduate Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 3
- FSH 602: Fashion Design 2
Major / 3 Units - FSH 603: 3D Design 2
Major / 3 Units - FSH 609: Digital Design for Fashion
Major / 3 Units
Semester 4
- FSH 604: Fashion Design 3
Major / 3 Units - FSH 605: 3D Design 3
Major / 3 Units - GLA 600: Educational Psychology
Graduate Liberal Arts / 3 Units
Semester 5
- FSH 606: Fashion Design 4
Major / 3 Units - FSH 607: 3D Design 4
Major / 3 Units - FSH 800: Directed Study
Directed Studies / 3 Units
Semester 6
- FSH 700: Professional Practices & Portfolio for Fashion
Major / 3 Units /Recommended for summer - FSH 800: Directed Study
Directed Studies / 3 Units - FSH 811: Thesis/Portfolio: Design
Directed Studies / 3 Units - FSH 815: Thesis/Portfolio: 3D Design
Directed Studies / 3 Units - FSH 900: Internship
Directed Studies / 3 Units / Recommended for summer
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
MFA Thesis Project
- Present an original thesis concept worthy of the MFA degree
- Demonstrate the feasibility of their thesis project
Specialty Skills: Design
- Design Thesis: Create a body of work that will be built into a portfolio, representing an advanced level of achievement and targeted to a specific market segment
- Conduct research to develop their creative concept and build a visual story
- Demonstrate a good understanding of their market
- Communicate their design ideas 2-dimensionally using traditional and/or digital media
- Create advanced flat technical specification drawings by hand and by computer
- Design collections demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of fashion design and advanced technical skills
Specialty Skills: 3-Dimensional Design/Technical Design/CDFP
- Thesis: Create a body of work that will be built into a portfolio, representing an advanced level of achievement and targeted to a specific market segment
- Apply advanced 3D design techniques to create clothing to a professional standard
Collaborative Skills
- Collaborate effectively to produce creative projects
Professional Practices
- Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials that can be used to market themselves to the industry
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.