About the Program
Courses in Fashion Merchandising give students the opportunity to discover the inner workings of the fashion industry with many hands-on experiences. Fashion Merchandising emphasizes the business of buying, distributing and selling of merchandise from the manufacturing level through to the retailer and, ultimately, the consumer. A highly-specialized program in Fashion Merchandising enables students to acquire marketable skills in a minimum time. A two-year program leading to the Associate Degree is available.
As long as fashion continues to change, lucrative careers will always be available for those who are prepared to expand their personal and professional horizons. The world of fashion merchandising is a challenging, fast-paced and highly competitive field with numerous opportunities for monetary and career advancement. Positions in the ever-expanding world of fashion are available in, but not limited to, these areas: Careers include Retail: Buyer, assistant buyer, department manager, fashion/bridal consultant, store manager, merchandise manager, salesperson, shop owner, sales representative, showroom associate, personal shopper, and management trainee. Fashion stylist, fashion coordinator, public relations, fashion commentator, special events director, and model. Fashion reporter, copy writer, fashion illustrator, fashion writer, fashion editor, publicity manager, and fashion researcher.
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 01348.00AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Analyze and describe the fashion industry including innovations, careers, current trends, the impact of globalization and technology, and the expanding roles of designers.
Analyze, describe, and apply concepts in the business of buying, distributing and selling of fashion merchandise from the manufacturing level through to the retailer and, ultimately, the consumer.
Demonstrate command of visual presentation or production, and create a resume or relevant portfolio to be used to market him/herself in the fashion industry.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is survey of business providing a multidisciplinary examination of how culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human behavior interact to affect a business organization's policy and practices within the U.S. and a global society. Students will learn about how this business context (including issues such as ethics and sustainability) influences the primary areas of business including: organizational structure and design; leadership, human resource management, organized labor practices; marketing; organizational communication; technology; entrepreneurship; legal, accounting, financial practices; the stock and securities market; and therefore affect a business' ability to achieve its organizational goals. (C-ID BUS 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces personal selling concepts, processes and tools. It emphasizes the importance of ethical, professional conduct; an understanding of consumer behavior; needs-satisfaction selling; and effective two-way communication. Students learn how to find and qualify prospects; establish rapport; ask questions to determine customers' needs; present pertinent product/service features, advantages and benefits; overcome buyers' objections; and close the sale. Students will participate (as buyers, sellers and critical observers) in interactive sales presentations.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course presents essential concepts in the retailing field, from store location and organization to the purchase, handling, display, pricing and advertising of merchandise. Emphasis is placed on the practical concepts of retail management.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course is an examination of information and communication technologies used in today's businesses and the impact these technologies are having on today's workplaces. The course will include examination and application of a wide range of information and communication technology tools used to support and enhance business functions and processes. Focus will be placed on solving a variety of business problems, improving organizational productivity, and achieving the goals of business.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is a survey of basic economic concepts. Topics covered include supply and demand, firms' price and output decision making, government regulation, monetary and fiscal policy, current economic issues and factors related to international trade and economic growth. This course is intended for students not majoring in Business Administration.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to fibers and their origin, yarns, basic weaves and fabric finishes, with reference to fabric selection for use in fashion and interior design. Emphasis is placed on the selection, use and care of new fibers and fabrics. The course also examines the impacts of textile laws, regulations and trade agreements.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an introduction to the world of fashion and retailing through an in-depth study of the history of fashion, terminology, designers, apparel production and distribution, merchandising techniques, and career opportunities. Career development strategies including resumes, cover letters and interviewing will be addressed.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the history of clothing and costume including the influence of historic attire on current fashion apparel. The course examines the impacts of social class, religion and political conditions on expression through dress.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course introduces students to the process of buying fashion merchandise for ultimate purchase by consumers. Topics include the principles and practical application of fashion buying, the role of the fashion buyer and the techniques of handling the complete buying-selling cycle.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course introduces students to the basic concepts of visual merchandising. Utilizing basic techniques, students create miniature displays, interior displays, and full-scale window productions. Students study current trends and analyze local retail displays.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This course introduces students to contemporary fashion productions including fashion shows, fashion videos, and retail promotions. Students will learn how to plan and produce various aspects of fashion promotions including event marketing, show staging, lighting, music, models, modeling, writing commentary, and directing rehearsals.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Cooperative Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 1.00
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Career Work Experience (CWE) is a course that gives students the opportunity to earn both a grade and units for what they learn on the job related to their vocational major while gaining practical work experience. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every sixty hours of unpaid work experience (60-480 hours unpaid) or seventy-five hours of paid work experience (75-600 hours paid). Students may earn a maximum of sixteen units for all types of Work Experience.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course invites current and future managers to build foundational skills for leading teams of employees in a diverse, multicultural work environment. The focus is on self-assessment, analyzing to understand work situations, as well as developing leadership skills and strategies. This course emphasizes individual factors impacting success including communication skills, conflict resolution, motivation, decision making, leadership style, and business ethics.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course covers the practical considerations, challenges and rewards associated with starting and operating a small business. The course explores how to identify small business opportunities; the factors influencing entrepreneurial success; and financing, marketing, managing, record-keeping and computer applications to support small business operations. Each student will identify a business opportunity, then create a detailed business plan.
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Contacts
Daniel Donnelly, Chair
(530) 895-2880
Department Office: ARTS 224
(530) 895-2404
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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