Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Marketing & Brand Management
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
Master degree
DURATION
6 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
About: The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Marketing & Brand Management at Academy of Art University develops expertise in creating, marketing, and managing fashion brands globally. You’ll research global consumers, markets, and trends, and learn to build analytical marketing and brand strategies. The programme culminates in a Final Thesis Project; graduation requires 63 units with minimum grade C and a 2.0 cumulative GPA; includes one Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic and one Cross Cultural Understanding course.
Career Outcomes: Graduates may pursue roles such as brand manager, fashion marketer, digital marketing specialist, retail buyer, and brand consultant and PR.
Develop an expertise in creating, marketing and managing fashion brands in the global marketplace. You will conduct in-depth research to gain insights on global consumers, emerging and developed markets, and trends in fashion industry. You will learn the knowledge and skills necessary in fashion business management to build marketing and brand strategies using creative and analytical methods.
Unit Requirements
| Major Coursework | Units |
|---|---|
| Major | 30 |
| Directed Studies | 18 |
| Graduate Liberal Arts | 9 |
| Elective | 6 |
| TOTAL | 63 |
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of 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
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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: Fashion Marketing and Brand Management
- Thesis: Complete an advanced-level project consisting of a competitive brand business plan and marketing strategy for different types of fashion businesses including marketing communication collateral, and prototypes
- Gather, analyze, and apply macro and micro market research to marketing and brand solutions
- Develop integrated marketing plan for fashion products or services demonstrating effective verbal, written and visual communication skills and techniques utilizing industry standard software
- Identify opportunities in global fashion marketplace reflecting understanding of consumer and market needs and trends
- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills by developing feasible marketing solutions based on analysis and synthesis of quantifiable research, data and case studies
- Establish realistic marketing budgets and financial goals for a fashion business
- Verbal Communication: Clearly pitch ideas and concepts using specific fashion and marketing language
- Professionalism: Communicate professionally and effectively through written, visual and oral presentations using industry standard software
Collaborative Skills
- Collaborate effectively to produce creative projects
Professional Practices
- Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials which 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.
What We Teach
- Digital & Social Media Marketing
We help you understand the ever evolving digital and social media platforms that are central to brand management today. Learn to evaluate fashion-centered digital and social media platforms to develop a digital marketing strategy that is integrated with traditional marketing channels. Quantitative analysis and evaluation metrics are emphasized.
- Marketing Communications Strategy
Gain an understanding of traditional and non-traditional marketing communication channels and industry best practices. You will learn to develop an integrated marketing communication strategy for a specific fashion business that reflects current trends and new technologies.
- Strategic Brand Management
What’s is a brand? We will find out as we show you how to build a contemporary fashion brand by transforming your creative ideas into a business to meet consumer demands. Learn to develop a brand strategy based on in-depth research, industry best practices, trends, and market analysis. We will help you develop an entrepreneurial mindset necessary to succeed in contemporary business environments.
Fashion Marketing & Brand Management Degree
The Fashion Marketing and Brand Management MFA program provides expertise in both the creative and analytical aspects of the fashion industry—requiring both your head and your heart. The program will give you insights into different customer needs in different global marketplaces. Learn the marketing and business trends that are successful in today’s fashion industry. Through a range of hands-on projects, you will learn various marketing and promotional techniques designed to help you develop, manage, and promote fashion brands.