ARE OTHER ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AVAILABLE AT FIT?
Yes, the following associate degree programs are available. It should be noted that that courses in these programs may not have UD equivalents and course substitutions may not be available. This means that it will be difficult to complete both curricula in a 4-year period.
Accessories Design (Fills quickly)
Advertising & Marketing Communications (Small class of 25, very competitive admission)
Communication Design (25 slots in spring, 50 slots in fall, very competitive admission)
Jewelry Design (Requires background in jewelry)
Textile/Surface Design
WHAT DEGREE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE AS PART OF THE VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM AT FIT?
Students can choose from three degree programs: Fashion Design, Fashion Business Management or Textile Development and Marketing.
WHAT DEGREE IS AWARDED TO FIT VISITING STUDENTS?
Upon completion of the FIT Visiting Student Program and the curricula of one program in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies (FASH), the student will receive an Associate Degree from FIT and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Delaware.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM?
Full-time Fashion Merchandising and Management Majors or Fashion Design and Product Innovation majors with 60 credits (at the time they enter FIT) are eligible to apply. In addition, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required at the time of application. Other application guidelines/requirements will be explained by FIT at the time of application.
ARE COURSES IN THE FIT CURRICULA SUBSTITUTED FOR REQUIRED COURSES IN THE FASH CURRICULA?
Yes, some courses will be transferred from FIT to UD as required courses. Only those courses in FIT curricula of Fashion Design, Fashion Business Management and Textile Development and Marketing that have been previously approved by faculty can substitute or transfer for FASH required courses. Students should refer to the approved substitution lists for courses in the Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandise Management, and Textile Development and Marketing curricula. The substitution lists differ by FIT major. Students must work closely with their academic advisor when planning for FIT.
HOW ARE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR THE FIT VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM?
Students must submit a Visiting Student Response form to the UD Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies liaison for the FIT program. Once students have been approved to apply, students then submit applications to FIT through the SUNY application process. FIT makes the final decision regarding who is admitted into their programs.
WHEN DOES THE FIT APPLICATION PROCESS BEGIN?
Students are encouraged to begin planning for FIT in the freshmen year. During the first semester of the freshmen year, students should become familiar with the requirements and guidelines for the FIT Visiting Student Program. The actual application process begins in the fall of the student's sophomore year. Visiting Student Response Forms are due to the UD Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies liaison by December 1 and the SUNY application for the FIT Visiting Student Program is due by December 31.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM?
The program at FIT is one year in length and assumes successful completion of all of the required FIT courses. Neither degree will be conferred until the student completes their bachelor degree requirements from the University of Delaware.
IN WHAT SEMESTER AND YEAR DO STUDENT ENTER FIT?
Students will enter FIT in the fall semester of their junior year and complete their entire junior year at FIT.
DO STUDENTS RETURN TO UD FOR STUDY AFTER COMPLETING THEIR FIT PROGRAM?
Yes, all students in any one of the 3 degree programs at FIT will return to the University of Delaware for their senior year to complete their course requirements.
WHAT COURSES DO VISITING STUDENTS TAKE AT FIT?
Admitted students are required to complete courses as outlined by FIT for the Fashion Design, Fashion Business and Management and Textile Development and Marketing programs. Course substitutions are not allowed at FIT. Once accepted as a visiting student, an FIT academic advisor will be assigned to the student and will assist in the scheduling process at FIT.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A STUDENT PLANS FOR FIT AND DECIDES NOT TO GO OR IS NOT ACCEPTED INTO THE PROGRAM?
There are no consequences if the student is not accepted or decides not to accept the offer from FIT.
WHAT IS THE COST OF ATTENDING FIT?
While attending FIT, students do not pay tuition to the University of Delaware. As with all schools, the tuition fluctuates from year to year. FIT tuition depends on such factors as residence status, living arrangements, and personal costs. At the beginning of each fall semester, FIT publishes its tuition charges. FIT should be contacted for current costs. University of Delaware students that are legal residents of the State of New York are not required to pay out-of-state tuition while attending FIT.
WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?
Visiting students are not eligible for FIT institutional aid. If UD students are already on financial aid, scholarship, or would like to obtain funds for the visiting student program, they should contact Student Financial Services at the University of Delaware and inquire about the availability of funds for FIT and/or the application of their current financial aid. This step should be done well in advance of the anticipated FIT entry date.
WHERE DO VISITING STUDENTS LIVE WHILE ATTENDING FIT?
There is no special housing for visiting students. Visiting students must apply for on-campus dorm-type housing. Housing assignments are made on a first come, first-serve basis. The request for housing is made at the same time the FIT application is submitted. On-campus housing is not guaranteed.
IF ON-CAMPUS HOUSING IS UNAVAILABLE, WHERE DO VISITING STUDENTS LIVE?
The FIT housing office assists students in securing off-campus housing. If requested, students are sent a list of off-campus housing options for consideration. It is the student's responsibility to review the list and make the necessary contacts in order to secure housing accommodations. The University of Delaware is not responsible for visiting students housing arrangements in New York while attending FIT.
HOW SAFE ARE VISITING STUDENTS WHILE ATTENDING FIT IN NEW YORK CITY?
The Fashion Institute of Technology is located on 7th Avenue at 27th Street in New York City. As in all large cities, students must exercise awareness and caution in their daily activities and interactions. At FIT the safety and well-being of students are a high priority. In compliance with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, FIT provides a report regarding crime awareness and campus security at FIT. The information details statistics for offenses involving members of the college community. The information is available on the FIT website. The University of Delaware does not assume responsibility for student safety while they are living in New York and attending FIT.
WHO SHOULD BE CONTACTED TO ANSWER ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VISITING STUDENT PROGRAM?
Students should contact their assigned academic advisor in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies for additional information and advice. FASH advisors are knowledgeable of the guidelines and will assist their advisees with planning. Once the student is identified as a potential applicants for the FIT Program, the UD/FIT faculty liaison will schedule a meeting with the student to discuss the application process.
