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The fashion design and development program at Western Michigan University equips students for careers in clothing and textile product creation. This field blends artistic vision with technical expertise to craft designs, create patterns, ensure quality standards, and manage sourcing operations. The curriculum covers garment construction, pattern drafting, digital design tools, and retail strategies. Students gain practical experience through a mandatory 300-hour externship at an approved fashion company, earning academic credit while building professional skills through research projects, self-assessments, and employer feedback. Additionally, upperclassmen can pursue management-focused internships with prominent industry partners to further enhance their career readiness.
A first-year applicant is a student who is applying for admission and who has not attempted or earned any college credit after graduating from high school/secondary school (or earned equivalent).
Minimum English proficiency test scores:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 71 iBT
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.0
Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 48
Michigan English Test (MET): 48
Application deadlines:
Fall: June 15; Spring: October 15