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A fashion degree online program allows students to learn creative and practical skills in design while gaining an understanding of the various points of a product's lifecycle. The three most popular online fashion degree concentrations are fashion design, fashion merchandising, and a combination of design and merchandising. Many of these degrees are Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Arts degrees, although some marketing-oriented programs may culminate in a Bachelor of Science degree. Enrollees are typically required to complete 120-132 credit hours to graduate with a bachelor's degree online. Many full-time students fulfill these requirements in four years, but part-time students may need longer.

A fashion school online program requires students to use their own materials and sewing machines at home to develop their design skills and strengthen their understanding of how garments are constructed.

Online fashion degrees engage students in all of the same learning activities as their on-campus counterparts. This makes their online degree just as respected as a traditional university program. The only difference is that they interact with instructors and classmates through the school's online learning management system. A fashion school online program requires students to use their own materials and sewing machines at home to develop their design skills and strengthen their understanding of how garments are constructed. To complete courses in fashion merchandising programs, online students also use their home computers to complete class projects and enhance their marketing skills.

Those applying for a bachelor's program in fashion design should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in fashion. Many schools ask students for the following admission requirements:

• A portfolio that highlights the applicant's creativity and talents in design
• A high school diploma or GED, along with any college transcripts (if applicable)
• Letters of recommendation
• Entrance exam scores (not always required)
• Essays
• Lists of extracurricular activities

Accreditation status is an important factor for students to consider before enrolling in any program. Being accredited indicates that the school or program is upholding high standards of quality. Accreditation is also mandatory to apply for federal student loans. Some forms of financial aid, and even some scholarships, may require the school or program to be accredited as well.

The (NASAD) is the main accrediting body for individual fashion and art programs, including an online fashion design degree. NASAD has established accreditation standards that institutions must meet in order to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for graduates to excel — both educationally and professionally — within the fields of fashion and visual arts. By choosing online fashion design schools that are accredited by NASAD, students can be sure that their education will be respected by potential employers within the workforce.

Students who are asking themselves, "Can I do a fashion designing course online?" should first take note of the different avenues for fashion curriculums. Prospective students who are drawn to the creative aspect of fashion may be more inclined to participate in an online fashion designing course, while those who are attracted to the business side of the fashion industry may want to focus on merchandising online fashion courses. Of course, students who are interested in both — especially those who aspire to run their own fashion design businesses — may opt for a combined degree.

In general, the courses in a fashion design program focus on the product design requirements and creation of clothing, footwear, and accessories. Students learn about construction methods, textiles and materials, color theory, and various aspects of the design business, from haute couture to mass production. As part of any online degree, fashion students can also expect that faculty will introduce them to the top computer software programs used within the industry.

The following are some of the common core courses found in fashion design and merchandising programs:

• Apparel Illustration: Aspiring fashion designers should know how to convey their design concepts through sketches and visuals. In this course, students learn to perform this skill by hand as well as by computer using computer-aided design (CAD) programs. Through observation and close study, students also become familiar with human anatomy and industry-standard body proportions to present their designs.
• Apparel Design and Construction: This course is designed to cover the process for creating and producing garments and other fashion products from beginning to end. Students learn to incorporate the latest design trends into their own creations. They also learn how to choose and source textiles and other materials needed for their designs, consider supply chain and sustainability issues, and plan for the manufacturing of their products.
• Fashion Buying, Merchandising, and Display: All fashion students are required to take this broad overview course that covers many aspects of fashion merchandising, including how clothing manufacturers and retailers form partnerships to strategically develop brands and promote on-trend products to consumers. Additional topics may feature global fashion, entrepreneurship, and consumer behavior.
• Social Media Fashion Marketing: Most modern fashion brands use social media to promote their products through Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms. This course teaches students how to build brand awareness through social media campaigns, how to establish metrics for measuring the success of their marketing efforts, and how to develop social media marketing strategies for their brands.

Overall, fashion marketing students typically start with a broad overview of the entire merchandising process, followed by coursework that provides a deeper dive into marketing, merchandising, retail management, and various forms of distribution. Both paths typically culminate in a graduate portfolio of projects that can be presented when interviewing for jobs. Most schools also require fashion students to gain real-world experience by completing one or more internships in the field.

There are a variety of career paths within the fashion industry for aspiring professionals. Because the field is highly competitive, gaining both knowledge and hands-on experience is considered essential for long-term success, whether you're aiming to become a designer, merchandiser, or marketing professional.

Earning an online bachelor's degree in fashion can be a strategic first step toward building a career in one of the following roles:

Fashion Designers:  Fashion designers may work for established brands or start their own labels. Their responsibilities often include sketching and developing designs, staying current with fashion trends, sourcing materials, collaborating with buyers and production teams, and overseeing the garment creation process from concept to final product.

Fashion Buyers: Fashion buyers help shape a store’s identity by selecting the merchandise it offers. They work closely with designers and manufacturers to identify and purchase products that align with brand goals and appeal to target customers. Their role involves analyzing trends, attending trade shows, negotiating with vendors, and ensuring timely stock delivery.

Fashion Marketing Managers:  These professionals lead the planning and execution of marketing strategies within fashion brands or retailers. They conduct research on consumer behavior, oversee promotional campaigns, manage branding efforts, and help drive demand for products through both digital and traditional channels.

Visual Merchandisers: Visual merchandisers enhance the shopping experience by designing engaging in-store displays and layouts. They decide how clothing and accessories are presented, aligning store visuals with branding goals and consumer expectations. While formal education is not always required for this role, a fashion degree can provide a competitive edge and creative foundation.

Each of these roles contributes to the larger fashion ecosystem, blending creativity with business strategy and offering unique opportunities for professional growth. 

There's also art design degrees may include fashion but also encompass the study of video games, film, and fine art. There are also graphic design degrees, which focus on the creative process behind digital art.

In the fashion business, a degree is not always necessary, but it is definitely worth considering. A bachelor's degree in fashion design or fashion merchandising is intended to provide students with a solid foundation of knowledge and basic skill level on which to build their career.

Before deciding whether a fashion degree is right for you, you may want to weigh the following pros and cons:

Potential Benefits

• A degree in fashion can lead to a variety of career paths. Those with fashion design skills can become clothing or accessory designers, textile designers, and pattern makers. Some of the possibilities for students interested in merchandising include marketing specialists, account managers, retail buyers, retail store managers, and visual merchandisers.
• Earning an online degree may boost your employment potential. The fashion industry has experienced in recent years, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is predicting a declining job outlook for several occupations related to fashion. Competition for jobs in the fashion industry will most likely intensify, so having a degree may make graduates more attractive to employers.
• Online degree programs in fashion give students more school choices. By opting to enroll in an online learning program, students can choose from a wider selection of fashion degree programs that best fit their goals and budgets without having to relocate.

Potential Drawbacks

• Graduates may need to live in a fashion hub. In the U.S., the fashion industry is still concentrated in New York City, although Los Angeles has become a close second in recent years. Ambitious graduates may feel compelled to live in one of these high-cost cities to break into the fashion business.
• Online fashion students have to provide their own tools. In on-campus programs, fashion students usually have access to computer labs and sewing rooms where they can work on class assignments alongside their peers. To engage in online courses, students must provide their own sewing machines and materials in addition to their computers.
• Online students may need to put more effort into networking. Success in the fashion industry relies heavily on professional connections. Online students may need to work harder at building relationships with peers and mentors through online discussion boards and other virtual forms of communication.

Yes, a fashion design degree online is possible through the use of a school's remote learning management system alongside school supplies, such as sewing machines and design software, which can be used from the comfort of your own home.

While drawing may be a beneficial skill for some designers, it's not necessary to be successful in the fashion industry. Many designers use illustration and design programs to aid them in the creation of their works. Today, most brands use digital presentations to showcase their latest clothing lines.

As the list above shows, students can earn fashion degrees online from numerous art and design schools around the country. Distance learning students go through the same application process as on campus students. Once accepted, online students study remotely using the school's learning management system.