Masters

Fashion Design and Merchandising

Overview

The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences offers a Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a sequence in Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM). The sequence is designed for professionals seeking advanced study in this area.

This sequence option is most appropriate for individuals interested in careers in the fashion design and merchandising field who have related degrees such as business, especially marketing, public relations, art, and design.

Family and Consumer Sciences graduate students with an interest in the FDM field can choose among seventeen courses that could be included as part of their graduate degree program. The courses offered are in two concentration areas; Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Product Design and Production.

Point of Pride

Several graduate students in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences publish their theses in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Jen Barnes
(309) 438-3558
Turner 203A

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How to Apply

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to a master's program must:

have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so within one academic year
present unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term. If accepted, official transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 209 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Office of Admissions. International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 79 iBT; the minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5 band.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for either the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework or any previous work in a graduate program.
upload a statement of goals for seeking the degree
submit names and email addresses of three references for letters of recommendation within the online application

Priority Application

Applications received by our Priority Submission Date of February 15th for Fall admissions will receive primary consideration for acceptance into our high-demand areas and offers for financial assistance including graduate assistantships. Depending on the size of our fall cohort, we may choose to also admit new students to start during the spring term. Graduate assistantships from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences are not available for the first semester when starting in the spring. For increased chance of admission and funding, please apply for fall term.

Application Deadlines

Fall (August) Term — February 15
Spring (January) Term — November 1

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Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally,

be admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student into a graduate academic program, or have a minimum of 120 undergraduate hours if in an integrated degree program
be in good-standing
be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters, or at least 6 hours during the summer session).

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive

monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
a waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
a waiver for up to 12 credit hours of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.

Tuition Waivers

Eligibility Requirements

Both full-time and part-time students enrolled in a master's degree program are eligible for tuition waivers. Students enrolled in a certificate program only are not eligible. Only students who have completed less than two years full-time or 40 credit hours are eligible. Students do not need to demonstrate financial need. Tuition waiver minimum requirements are as follows:

New graduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.25 (based on GPA calculated by Admissions office)

Currently enrolled graduate students: Minimum GPA of 3.25 for graduate courses at ISU

Application Process

During the first week of classes each semester, students admitted to the graduate program may apply for a Graduate Tuition Waiver. Students must turn in the two-page tuition waiver application and the Selective Service Verification form to be considered for a tuition waiver.

View the Graduate Tuition Waiver Application

Additional Information

All tuition waiver awards are at in-state rates.

Tuition waivers are typically partial and do not cover all tuition costs.

Award letters will be sent to the student electronically through e-mail.

Funds will appear in student's account sometime after the 10th day of classes when course enrollment is verified.