Fashion Industry Studies – M.F.I.S.
Kent State’s fully online Master of Fashion Industry Studies program equips creative professionals with analytical, research, and communication skills to address the evolving demands of the global fashion landscape. Develop the expertise to lead change in the fashion industry through a master’s program that blends theory, practice, and innovation to create responsible, forward-thinking professionals.
Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies Program Overview
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.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Analyze the elements of a fashion industry problem and identify pertinent issues. (Critical Thinking)
- Employ research methods with appropriate knowledge and technologies to solve industry problems. (Analytical Skills)
- 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)
- Use suitable technologies to make effective visual, spoken and written communications. (Professionalism and Communication)
- 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)
- Appraise the diverse viewpoints and various cultural factors to draw solutions for fashion industry problems. (Global Mindset)
Program Structure
- 30 minimum credits
- 15 credits major requirement, 3-6 credits fashion electives, 3 credits fashion elective from cognate area, 3 credits fashion industry practicum, 3-6 credits of capstone or thesis I for culminating requirement
- Students in the M.F.I.S. degree are required to complete 24 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum 6 credit hours of thesis I or 27 credit hours of graded graduate coursework and minimum 3 credit hours of practicum capstone
Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies Admissions Requirements
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Applications to the online M.F..I. S. degree are not being accepted until the fall 2026 admission term.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university1
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcripts(s)
- GRE or GMAT scores if GPA is below 3.000 for conditional admission
- 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)
- Design-focused applicants 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
1Students 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.
2International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.
Important Dates
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| FDM 60005 | RESEARCH METHODS IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
| FDM 60015 | FASHION SYSTEMS THINKING | 3 |
| FDM 60025 | GLOBAL CONSUMER IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
| FDM 60092 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM 1 | 3 |
| FDM 65055 | ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
| FDM 65110 | CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIES IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | 3 |
| Major Electives, choose from the following: 2 | 3-6 | |
| FDM 55035 | HISTORIC TEXTILES | |
| FDM 65045 | FASHION INDUSTRY MERCHANDISE MANAGEMENT | |
| FDM 65096 | INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | |
| FDM 65100 | SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY | |
| FDM 65120 | FIBER AND TEXTILE INNOVATION | |
| FDM 65220 | INNOVATIONS IN THE FASHION RETAIL INDUSTRY | |
| Non-Fashion Elective from Cognate Area: | 3 | |
| Culminating Requirement | ||
| FDM 60099 | FASHION INDUSTRY PRACTICUM CAPSTONE 3 | 3-6 |
| FDM 60199 | THESIS I | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 30 | |
1Maximum 6 credit hours of FDM 60092 may be applied toward major requirements.
2Students who select FDM 60099 as their culminating requirement must complete 6 credit hours of major electives to graduate with 30 credit hours for the degree.
3Students 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.
Graduation Requirements
| Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA |
|---|---|
| - | 3.000 |
- 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.
Careers
- -4.4% decline
- 28,300 number of jobs
- $75,810 potential earnings
- -8.8% decline
- 449,300 number of jobs
- $66,690 potential earnings
- 17.7% much faster than the average
- 738,100 number of jobs
- $65,810 potential earnings
- Fashion entrepreneur
- Supply chain director or manager
- Assistant buyer
- Inventory planning analyst
Notice: Career Information Source
* 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.
Master of Fashion Industry Studies degree in Fashion Industry Studies Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $612.62 | $1,837.86 | $18,400 part-time1 $13,500 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $622.62 | $1,867.86 | $18,600 part-time3 $13,700 full-time4 |
1The $612.62 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident graduate students taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,724.36 applies to full-time Ohio resident graduate students taking between 11-18 credit hours per semester.
3The $622.62 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 11 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,724.36 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident graduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 11-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken each semester (between 11-18 semester credits or $110-$180).
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000, or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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