Apparel and Textiles, BS

Basic principles and elements of design, including color theory, are introduced, reviewed, and applied throughout the four-year program. Two- and three-dimensional work, as well as color principles and their application, are studied and used in freshman studio projects. By the completion of the sophomore year, students have developed the ability to render garments and fabrics on croquis. Students refine and individualize their abilities for visual organization, color utilization, sketching/drawing, and design process in the upper-level design studio courses. Progressing from the modification of commercial patterns to development of unique patterns through the flat pattern and draping methods, students take projects from original concepts to finished products.

During the first three years, students take courses that provide opportunities for constant interaction between faculty and students. To be successful, students need a strong grounding in merchandise management, marketing, information systems, human resources management, accounting, and economics. During their senior year, students will complete an internship with a regional or national retailer, manufacturer, or buying office. Typical internship sites include New York City, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, and Birmingham.

307 Doster Hall

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

Apparel design graduates possess the skill to both manually and digitally create an original line for a specific target market, articulate the design philosophy underlying the line, execute the pattern work, and prepare the technical flats and specification package for the line items.  They are prepared, as a result, to meet the demands of an entry-level position as an assistant designer, assistant technical designer or positions in fashion publishing and apparel manufacturing.  One of the strengths of the apparel design program was cited by the recent NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art & Design) accreditation report that reflected students in the program are encouraged to find their own creative voice and point of view as a designer, allowing them to have a better sense of what they value in design.  The challenges of universal design, inclusive design, and the support of sustainability are important factors in both majors.   

Diverse career opportunities exist for fashion retailing graduates. Some pursue traditional careers in corporate buying and sales, merchandise management, human resource management, store management, product development and wholesale management. Other graduates pursue non-traditional career opportunities in public relations, entrepreneurial enterprises, and as sales representatives outside the apparel industry.

Opportunity for Positions

Graduates of the Apparel Design program find positions in every sector of the fashion industry. Many develop clothing lines and pursue businesses of their own, while others find positions assisting established designers, and working in the corporate end of fashion.

Recent graduates in the Fashion Retailing program have accepted positions with wholesale apparel companies, buying offices, fashion magazines, and retail stores.

Graduate Success

Graduates of the apparel design program and the fashion retail program are well represented in the most successful fashion houses and companies in the fashion industry.  Experienced alumni from our program include the founder of Gurwitch Products, which manufactures Laura Mercier cosmetics; the president of Karen Kane; the president of Sigrid Olsen; and the assistant manager of the Manhattan Coach flagship store in New York.  Proenza Schouler, Brandon Maxwell, Jason Wu, Lafayette 148, Oscar de la Renta, Anna Sui, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Macy's, Dillards, Talbots, J. Crew, Kate Spade, Abercrombie & Fitch, Spanx, Billy Reid, Alabama Chanin, Belk, Dick's Sporting Goods, The Masters, Kimora Lee Simmons, Carter's/OshKosh B'gosh, and Walt Disney World are some of the industry businesses that employ our alumni.   Some of our students move to New York after graduation, but many find opportunities scattered across the country.  The fashion industry is rapidly changing and the apparel design and fashion retail majors at UA also offer the option of entrepreneurship classes to help students create their own brands and pursue their own business ventures as well.

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Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center

• Copy of your passport
• Relevant visa and immigration documents (This includes PR card, current visa, or F-1/ J-1 visa request and supporting documents)
• Unofficial transcript copies from every secondary school you have attended. This includes academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work.
  • Include an English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • Students graduating high school in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia or Sierra Leone must submit a copy of their WASSCE results and scratch card information (serial number and PIN) in order to complete their application.
• Students that graduated 6 or more months ago should also provide a brief statement listing any academic activities since graduation (including any post-secondary coursework at institutions inside or outside of the US, English language programs, study abroad programs, etc.) List name(s) of the institutions and dates of attendance. If you have no additional academic activities, please write a short statement that speaks to your activities during the gap period. In the statement, please include the following and send to International Admissions at [email protected]:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • High School/Secondary School
  • Graduation Date