Fashion Merchandising and Design Mission, Vision, and Goals
Fashion Merchandising and Design Accreditations
FMD program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission (TAPAC).
Why is accreditation important to the program?
Accreditation is essential to the program as it serves as a validation of the quality and credibility of the program. It ensures that the program has met the established standards and criteria for education, including the faculty qualifications, the curriculum’s relevance, the school’s resources, and student learning outcomes assessment.
NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.
TAPAC is the official accrediting organization for baccalaureate programs in textiles, apparel, and related area academic programs. TAPAC accreditation provides students and employers with the assurance that the program has undergone rigorous evaluation and meets recognized standards in the field, including knowledge of the industry processes, aesthetics, design processes, global interdependence, ethics, social responsibility and sustainability issues, professional development, and critical and creative thinking skills.
What benefits will students see as being part of an accredited program?
Accreditation ensures that students receive a well-rounded education that meets industry standards. It can enhance a student's career prospects. Accredited programs have a reputation for providing high-quality education, which can make graduates more attractive to potential employers. Some employers may require job candidates to have completed an accredited program as a prerequisite for employment.
Accrediting bodies typically evaluate educational institutions and programs regularly to ensure that they continue to meet these standards. This means that students can trust that they are receiving an education that is up to par with industry standards.
Fashion Merchandising and Design Mission, Vision, and Goals
Mission
We are learner centered, discovery driven and globally engaged program that prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to become competitive professionals in the fashion industry. We do this through our teaching, scholarship, service, outreach and engagement.
Vision
We aspire to be a comprehensive, contemporary and dynamic program that prepares students as professionals for the global fashion industry.
Goals
Learner centered
- Developing outstanding comprehensive education
- Providing high-quality and accessible student services
- Developing positive faculty, staff and student relationships
Discovery driven
- Advancing knowledge and skills through teaching, scholarship, creative works and service
Globally engaged
- Enhancing students' sense of competence through transformative learning in field experiences, internships, community engagements, field trips and study abroad programs
Curriculum & Student Learning
The fashion merchandising and design program has used learning goals approved by the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) in March 2008 to measure program effectiveness.
Industry Process (IP) - Knowledge about the roles and functions of various apparel industry sectors
Appearance and Human Behavior (A&HB) - Knowledge about the roles and functions of appearance and its impact on human behavior
Aesthetics and the Design Process (A&DP) - Knowledge about aesthetics and the design and product development processes in relation to apparel
Global Interdependence (GI) - Knowledge about diverse global impact on industry processes
Ethics, Social Responsibility, and Sustainability (E,SR&S) - The ability to evaluate issues of social responsibility and ethics, and environmental sustainability
Critical, Creative, and Quantitative Thinking (C&CT) - The ability to demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills using appropriate technology
Professional Development (PD) - The ability to communicate ideas in a professional manner and function as team members and leaders
Check out our curriculum alignment matrix that includes core required and required courses aligned with Bloom’s levels and scaffolded learning objectives.