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Bachelor of Fashion Design and Merchandising
- Ames, United States
- 4 years
- English
- On campus
- Bachelor
About the program
A major joining creativity and strategy for careers in fashion design, Product development and retail.
Program highlights
- Internship available: yes
- Placement support: no
- Work during study: yes
- Post-study work rights (0 year): yes
- PR pathway friendly: no
What you will learn
- Develop foundational knowledge and practical skills related to Fashion Design and Merchandising.
Career outcomes
- Visual merchandising
- Styling
- Fashion influencing
- Social media and communication
- Designer
- Materials testing
- Quality assurance
- Technical design
- Retail
Curriculum
- 123 credits including at least 18 in the major at Iowa State. Students complete general education and an apparel industry professional core
- Then choose an option: Creative and Technical Design
- Product Development and Innovation
- Merchandising and Retail Analytics
- Or Fashion Communications
- An internship is part of the department's programmes.
Entry requirements
Academic
- High school GPA equivalent to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or SAT 1200+/ACT 25+); Core courses of 4 years English
- 3 science
- 3 mathematics and 2 social studies; English proficiency proof; Financial statement.
Minimum GPA
3
Accepted academic background
Secondary school completion with core courses: 4 years English, 3 science (2 lab), 3 mathematics, 2 social studies
Language tests
- IELTS 6.0
- TOEFL iBT 71
- Duolingo 105
- PTE Academic 48
Other requirements
- Portfolio required
Documents you’ll need
- Academic transcripts
- Identification document
- Application form
- Language proficiency evidence where applicable
How to apply
- Check the entry requirements and rolling deadline. Apply 6-8 weeks ahead
- Up to one year before the start (). Apply online in the application portal and pay the nonrefundable 65 USD fee by credit card. Upload official high school or college records
- Proof of English proficiency and the financial statement. SAT/ACT is optional for applicants educated abroad. Receive the admission decision and Form I-20
- Then apply for the F-1 student visa.
Other costs
| Tuition per year | $33,547 USD |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $65 USD |
| Deposit | $0 USD |
Program details
| Campus | Ames |
|---|---|
| Faculty or school | College of Health and Human Sciences |
| Department | Apparel, Events, And Hospitality Management |
| Teaching language | English |
| Credit value | 123 |
| Study pace | Fixed |
| Post-study stay | 0 year |
| Scholarship note | Potential institution scholarships may have separate eligibility and application requirements; Confirm availability for this program. |
Intakes and deadlines
Program starts
January 2027
Applications closed
3 Oct 2026
ClosedProgram starts
May 2027
Apply by
31 Jan 2027
79 days leftProgram starts
August 2027
Apply by
3 May 2027
171 days left
Frequently asked questions
The program takes 4 years.
The next deadline is 31 Jan 2027. Apply early, because some programs close when places fill up.
Tuition is $33,547 USD per year. The application fee is $65 USD. The deposit is $0 USD. The estimated living cost is $17,332 USD.
The minimum GPA is 3. Accepted language tests: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 71, Duolingo 105, PTE Academic 48. A portfolio is required.

