School of FashionFashion Studies Bachelor's Degree
- BA
Fashion is an art and an industry. To succeed in it, you’ll need cutting-edge business skills and an appreciation for style. In Columbia College Chicago's fashion bachelor's degree program, we’ll prepare you to enter the rapidly changing world of fashion. The BA program prepares you to shape the future of the industry. You’ll choose from two interwoven concentrations: Merchandising or Product Development, honing your skills with hands-on learning opportunities as you gain a sophisticated understanding of an evolving industry.
Examples of Fashion Careers
The Student Experience
Our classes will help you think critically about fashion and imagine how style can solve problems and contribute to culture. You’ll gain real-life experience outside the classroom by working with retailers and wholesale showrooms. You’ll build on this experience by honing professional skills in marketing, technology, analytics, and design.
You’ll have in-class discussions with visiting professionals who will provide perspective on the state of the industry.
Think critically about companies’ decisions regarding pricing, fabrics, design, and visual merchandising.
Learn discipline-specific technologies, organizational strategies, and communication skills.
See the city’s museums, neighborhoods, businesses, stores, and galleries as part of your curriculum as well as local manufacturers and showrooms.
Work in a team environment that mirrors the industry and design a product, engage with local manufacturers to produce it, and bring it to market. Launch projects with students in other majors.
Work with photographers, graphic designers, interior designers, interaction designers, filmmakers, and management students to create projects immersed in the arts, media, and entrepreneurship communities of our city and college.
These seminars bring industry leaders to Columbia College Chicago to network with students and provide insight into the latest trends and research, including sustainability, diversity, and technology.
Columbia’s faculty members are leaders and innovators influencing industry standards who bring real-world experience to the classroom and help students see the fashion industry from different perspectives.
Columbia Fashion students often participate – and win – national competitions and scholarships, including the National Retail Foundation and L’Oréal’s annual competitions.
Study outside of Chicago in Columbia’s Study Abroad Program or in its popular Semester in LA program, which is geared toward students interested in wardrobe and costuming for TV, film, and entertainment.
Career Readiness
Leave Columbia College Chicago with a rich digital portfolio and professional resume. By the time you graduate, you’ll have hands-on experience and a deep understanding of existing and emerging trends.
Through your hands-on classwork, build a body of work to help you land that dream job. Our Career Center and faculty provide advice and guidance on everything from finding an internship to building a portfolio to finding a job. Our students have interned at companies such as Nordstrom, Macy’s, Antr0hopolgie, Nike, Resotration Hardware, and Kohl’s.
Our Alumni Network connects you to key people to support and guide you throughout your career. Our alumni shape the brands that you interact with every day. From Macy’s to Nordstrom to Kohl’s to Ulta Beauty, our alumni are buyers, product developers, pattern makers, and merchandisers.
ALumni Spotlight
24 in 2024
"24 in 2024" recognizes alumni from Columbia College Chicago for their professional achievements beyond their academic journeys. Learn more.
of 2023 grads are employed, enrolled in continued education, or pursuing their creative practice.