Develop your fashion design skills and learn contemporary industry practices through hands-on studio classes in our flexible, part-time program.
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring, or Summer
Application Deadlines: June 15, November 1, or April 15
Location: On Campus
Length: 2 years + 1 Summer (Part-Time)
Cost: $16,660
For students looking to grow their design skills and advance their careers, MassArt’s Fashion Design Certificate offers a flexible path to a rigorous studio education with evening classes and occasional Saturdays in professional studios. Hands-on projects and expert instruction help you develop marketable technical skills, identify your voice as a designer, and build a portfolio built for the industry.
Program Focus
Explore the evolving landscape of fashion design through a curriculum that connects fundamental techniques with emerging technologies, innovative materials, and more sustainable approaches to making.
Specialized courses offer an opportunity to explore digital textile design, sustainable fashion, Clo 3D apparel design, handbag design, and more.
All Fashion Design certificate students are required to take six foundational fashion courses. Elective courses offer options for either a Specialty or Technical track. All students must complete a Professional Portfolio course to receive a certificate. Classes are offered on a rotating schedule, allowing students to complete the program in two years and one summer.
Required Fashion Design Classes:
Couture Design
Creative Fashion
Tailoring
Pattern Drafting
Fashion Illustration
Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art
Professional Portfolio
Fashion Design Electives:
Sustainable Fashion
Digital Tools for Textile Design
Handbag Design
Sample Schedules
Scenario A – Fall Start
| Semester | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Pattern Drafting | Tailoring |
| Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective | Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective | |
| Spring | Creative Fashion | Couture Design |
| Elective | Professional Portfolio | |
| Summer | Fashion Illustration | |
| Elective |
Scenario B – Spring Start
| Semester | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Creative Fashion | Couture Design | Professional Portfolio |
| Elective | Elective | ||
| Summer | Fashion Illustration | ||
| Fall | Pattern Drafting | Tailoring | |
| Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective | Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective |
Scenario C – Summer Start
| Semester | Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Fashion Illustration | Elective |
| Fall | Pattern Drafting | Tailoring |
| Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective | Global Heritage of 20th Century Fashion and Art OR Elective | |
| Spring | Creative Fashion | Couture Design |
| Elective | Professional Portfolio |
Concept and Message
- Produce innovative and original designs
- Understand design elements: color, line, texture, silhouette
- Use research to inform design development
- Appreciation for historical reference
Personal Development
- Understanding of the creative process
- Build collaborative skills
- Build verbal and written communication skills
- Time management
- Professionalism
Critical Thinking
- Understanding of the creative process
- Build collaborative skills
- Build verbal and written communication skills
- Time management
- Professionalism
Technical Competency
- Development and understanding of clothing construction and craft
- Development and understanding of flat pattern drafting and draping techniques
- Work effectively with industry standard software (Illustrator, Photoshop, Gerber)
Industry Awareness
- Understanding apparel manufacturing and production procedures
- Market understanding through category and customer
- Connecting through internships and project collaborations
- Social consciousness
Presentation
- Create professional and organized presentations that reflect individual style
- Effectively communicate two- and three-dimensional design
- Produce accurate and detailed technical flat drawings by hand and computer
- Produce a body of work: Apparel lines/collections and portfolio suitable for seeking professional opportunities
Program Costs and Application
Program Cost: $16,660
Students in this program may be eligible to apply for federal student loans up to their Cost of Attendance.
Program Start Dates: Fall, Spring, or Summer
Application Deadlines: June 15, November 1, or April 15
Application Requirements:
- $35 Application Fee
- Statement of Purpose
- Collage of found images
- Resume
- Official High School Transcripts
- 1-2 letters of recommendation are optional
Application reviews are completed one month after the deadline and decisions are sent by email.
Our admissions process is designed to help us understand your goals and creative interests – not to create unnecessary barriers. If you have questions about application requirements or deadlines email us at: ce@massart.edu
FAQs
There are a number of reasons to enter the Fashion Design Certificate program (FDC). Individual courses can help build an existing portfolio in fashion design or advance your skills in a particular area, but the FDC offers a comprehensive set of classes that address the industry as a whole and provides access to resources only available to certificate students.
The FDC will help you develop and hone your skills to showcase your creative design and technical ability in a final portfolio (the Portfolio course is only open to FDC students). FDC students can broaden their global understanding by participating in fashion directed travel courses that are offered through the undergraduate program. The FDC program provides you with access to advising support and networking, special events, email updates to inform you about opportunities and resources, and internships and access to job opportunities, all of which are not available to non-program students.
No. Although the program sequence enables students to take 2 courses each fall and spring, and 2 courses during the summer between the first and second year, there is flexibility for students who do not wish to do so. Your advisor will work with you to plan your program in a way that works for your life schedule and time constraints.
You must be registered for at least 6 credits to qualify for a student loan.
Learn MoreStudents can take up to 2 courses (6 credits) before enrolling in the certificate program and transfer those credits towards their Fashion Design Certificate. Grades must be C or higher to count towards certificate requirements.
Contact us! We’re happy to help.
Questions regarding application requirements, deadlines, registration, or transferring credits can be directed to ce@massart.edu
Questions regarding course curriculum or additional program information can be directed to Program Director Jennifer Varekamp at jvarekamp@massart.edu
