1. Admission requirements. The graduate committee will review the entire application package including the following:
a. A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all prior undergraduate college-level course work.
b. A GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score taken within past 5 years. Minimum scores on the revised GRE are 156 verbal and 144 quantitative. Alternatively, the department accepts GMAT scores of 550 or higher.
c. Students whose first language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless a prior degree was obtained from the U.S. institution. The minimum score for TOEFL should be 79 with minimum Speaking score of 18 on the Internet-based test or 550 on paper-based test to be considered for admission. TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be validated or considered official.
d. An interview with member(s) of the Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate faculty may be required.
2. Prior degree requirements. Applicants must have an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
3. Application deadlines. Review of applicants begins on February 1. Some funded assistantships are available; applications received by February 1 will be considered for funding.
4. Special competencies needed. Candidates for admission need not have majored in fashion related areas previously, but they will be expected to possess:
a. Strong written and oral communication skills b. An understanding of computer systems and basic word processing and spreadsheet applications. Knowledge of consumer behavior or social psychological aspects of fashion d. Knowledge of the global fashion industry e. Understanding of design and aesthetic concepts f. Applicants interested in a creative design focus should have had a minimum of one patternmaking course
These competencies will be evaluated by the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Committee and may be satisfied through coursework, evaluation of transcripts, a writing sample, or in some cases relevant industry experience. These evaluations will be communicated to prospective students by letter when they are accepted into the program. If a student lacks the special competencies, additional (maximum of 6 credits) undergraduate courses may be required.
5. Admission categories.
a. Regular status – This is offered to students who meet all admission requirements of the university and of the Fashion and Apparel Studies department.
b. Non-degree status - This is offered to (a) students who are unable to achieve regular status because of enrollment limits in the Fashion and Apparel Studies department or (b) students wishing to earn graduate credit but do not intend to work for a degree. Non-degree students are not required to follow course sequences, but they are held to the same performance standards as other graduate students. Admission with non-degree status is valid for a stated limited time and implies no commitment by the university or the department about later admission with regular status. If a student desires to change from non-degree status, the student must be recommended for a change of status by the Fashion and Apparel Studies department and seek approval from the Graduate College. Earned graduate credit may or may not be accepted if the student's status is changed. In general, graduate credit must fit into an approved program of study and all credits must have been completed within the appropriate time limit. Upon the recommendation of the student's advisor, no more than 9 credit hours of graduate non-degree credit may be transferred to the graduate degree program.
Non-degree admission is also offered to students who wish to transfer graduate credits to another institution. In such cases, students must submit a letter from their graduate dean or registrar certifying that they are graduate students in good standing at another institution. Letters will be accepted in lieu of the transcripts and GRE scores, which are required of all other applicants.
6. Other documents required. Candidates for admission must submit 3 letters of recommendation and a personal statement describing interests, intellectual goals, and how this program would meet their goals and objectives. A resume and a writing sample (research paper from a senior level course) are required. Portfolios may be required if the student's stated research interest is apparel design and will be requested by the department's graduate studies committee during the acceptance decision process.
Admission to the graduate programs is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.
