Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Product Development
Master degree
DURATION
6 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The Fashion Product Development MFA focuses on developing and managing all aspects of the fashion product development process. Emphasis will be placed on aesthetics, design, and product development strategies specific to companies and their target markets. Students will create product concept and lines based on their in-depth market and trend research, textile and raw material sourcing strategies, manufacturing strategies and shipping logistics to deliver finished products to stores and consumers. Students will learn the drawing, design, construction, technical, and industry standard software skills. Students will apply all of these skills to create a culminating thesis project that includes a complete product line and an implementation strategy. MFA Graduates will be capable of launching a new product line and applying high level strategic thinking to hold key positions in global fashion organizations.
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
Product Development
- 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
- Analyze fashion and market trends to apply to specific target consumers and brands
- Design and develop complete lines of fashion products demonstrating high-level aesthetics and design skills using both traditional medium and computer software
- Correctly identify key points in the supply chain and demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between its members
- Develop comprehensive sourcing, costing, and pricing strategies for targeted markets
- Visual Communication: Produce accurate and detailed technical drawings and flat patterns using both traditional medium and computer software
- 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 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.
Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and hands-on experience to help accelerate your career. We pride ourselves in doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel in your future fashion careers. Our degree programs are designed to equip aspiring fashion professionals with a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills that lead to success in the fashion industry.
Executive Editor
Responsible for overseeing, planning, and directing all editorial content, the executive editor is the voice of any fashion publication. You will develop budgets, manage staff and contractors, oversee quality control, and innovate in the print and digital spaces in this fast-paced industry.
Fashion Editor
Supervise the process of creating, developing, and presenting content for a fashion magazine as a fashion editor. You will supervise teams, conceptualize and style photo shoots, curate photography, research industry trends, and choose items for publication in this fast-paced and exciting career.
Unit Requirements
| Major | 30 |
| Directed Studies | 18 |
| Graduate Liberal Arts | 9 |
| Elective | 6 |
| Total | 63 |
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of Final Thesis Project
- A 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
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course
- 1 Cross-Cultural Understanding course
Curriculum
Semester 1
- FSH 616: Dynamics of Fashion (Major)
- FSH 634: Textiles & Other Raw Materials (Major)
- FSH 650: Introduction to Fashion Design (Major)
Semester 2
- FSH 600: Fashion Design 1 (Major)
- FSH 638: Product Design and Development (Major)
- FSH 651: Fashion Construction (Major)
- GLA 613: Fashion, Arts, and Influence (Graduate Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer - JEM 660: MS: Introduction to 3D Printing and Modeling (Elective)
Recommended for summer
Semester 3
- FSH 609: Digital Design for Fashion (Major)
- FSH 632: Trend Analysis & Product Development (Major)
- FSH 685: Product Manufacturing & Sourcing (Major)
Semester 4
- FSH 809PLM: Group Directed Study: Computerized Product Development (Directed Studies)
- FSH 852: Product Development (Directed Studies)
- FSH 860: Trends & Market Research (Directed Studies)
- GLA 627: The Global Design Studio: Past, Present, & Future (Graduate Liberal Arts)
Recommended for summer
Semester 5
- FSH 649: Entrepreneurship in Fashion: Strategic Brand Management (Elective)
- FSH 858: Financial Planning (Directed Studies)
- FSH 863: Costing & Logistics (Directed Studies)
Semester 6
- FSH 700: Professional Practices & Portfolio for Fashion (Major)
- FSH 859: Thesis Wrap-Up (Directed Studies)
- GLA 603: Anthropology: Experiencing Culture (Graduate Liberal Arts)
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