College of the Arts
School of Fashion Design and Merchandising
www.kent.edu/fashion

About This Program

The global fashion industry is competitive, but also offers an incredibly rewarding career. With our Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree, you can gain real-world experience, valuable connections and an in-depth understanding of fashion’s global value chain to stand out and thrive in the industry. Read more...

Contact Information

• Jihyun Kim-Vick, Ph.D. | mfis@kent.edu | 330-672-1473

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Additional Careers

• Fashion entrepreneur
• Supply chain director or manager
• Assistant buyer
• Inventory planning analyst

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 3.300 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale (starting with fall 2025 admission term, minimum 3.000 GPA will be required)
• Official transcripts(s)
• GRE or GMAT scores if GPA is below 3.300 for conditional admission (starting with fall 2025 admission term, scores are no longer required)
• Résumé
• Goal statement (maximum 1,000 words) relating career/academic goals and research interests as they relate to critical issue(s) the applicant has identified in current fashion industry practice
• Supportive materials that demonstrate research and writing capabilities (e.g., significant term paper, research project report)
  • Applications may also submit an optional visual portfolio with a minimum 5-10 examples of work in any media documenting the design process
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

Students who are expecting to pursue coursework or thesis research in a design topic are required to possess a bachelor's degree in fashion design or a bachelor's degree in a related field and substantial employment experience (minimum two years) in the fashion industry.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Funding deadline: February 15
    Applications must be submitted by this deadline to be considered for an assistantship or any other funded position.
  • Application deadline: April 15
    Applications received after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

The Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area must be approved by the student's practicum capstone or thesis advisor.

²

Students must complete a capstone report or written thesis accompanied by a visual presentation or representation that is successfully defended and approved by a committee of faculty with feedback from an industry partner. The capstone or thesis outcome must demonstrate an innovative and pragmatic research-based solution applicable to the fashion industry.

Progression Requirements

• Good academic standing (minimum 3.000 GPA)

Graduation Requirements

• Students in the M.F.I.S. degree are required to complete 24 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 6 credit hours of thesis I or 27 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum of 3 credit hours of practicum capstone.
• Students without a fashion background may be required to complete foundational coursework (FDM 10033 and FDM 10034) concurrently during the first semester and either FDM 20030 or FDM 30262. Students must complete these courses within the first 18 credit hours of graduate study. These undergraduate credit hours are in addition to the 30 graduate credit hours required for the M.F.I.S. degree.

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Analyze the elements of a fashion industry problem and identify pertinent issues. (Critical Thinking)
2. Employ research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies to solve industry problems. (Analytical Skills)
3. Analyze and synthesize collected data to generate pragmatic solutions through testing and experimentation that connect fashion history, theory and/or practice(s). (Problem-Solving Skills)
4. Use suitable technologies to make effective visual, spoken and written communications. (Professionalism and Communication)
5. Analyze the complex issues confronting organizations and generate solutions to industry problems that create long-term value and shared prosperity for the broad array of stakeholders. (Environmental and Social Responsibility)
6. Appreciate the diverse viewpoints and various cultural factors to draw solutions for fashion industry problems. (Global Mindset)

Full Description

The Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies addresses the highly interdisciplinary character of practice within fashion as an industry.

The Fashion Industry Studies major leads to an initial master's degree for the academic advancement of students to engage in learning and experiences applicable to the fashion industry. The degree program prepares professionals who intentionally use cross-disciplinary and applied research methods to address complex issues and provide impactful solutions for the fashion industry.

The curriculum prepares students with critical and analytical skills to address fashion industry challenges, integrating historical and theoretical knowledge while emphasizing effective communication, environmental responsibility and a global perspective.