Fashion Design
The MS in Fashion Design (FASH) program is a full-time, maker-focused program, teaching both traditional and cutting edge technical creative processes. This pre-professional program emphasizes the development of the aesthetic and philosophical concepts of fashion design and emphasizes the technical skills to support research and experimentation in these concepts.
The FASH curriculum integrates 2D and 3D design to address the physical, aesthetic, psychological, and social requirements of fashion. Class cadence is structured so that studio, laboratory, and classroom work give the graduate student a directed experience in the study of aesthetics, criticism, and contemporary art concepts; contemporary and historic art and design; traditional and current fashion technology; the discipline of drawing; and the making of art. A required internship in the industry affords the FASH student direct experience in a workplace of their choice. This comprehensive approach provides the basis for a broad range of employment in the fashion and design industries and in education. A thesis and/or capstone collection is required, which dovetails with professionally criticked, annual Drexel Fashion Show.
The Fashion Design Technology certificate program provides students with an introduction to current fashion design technologies in Virtual 3D Design and Weft Knit Product Programming, and the design thinking needed to produce successful work in these areas. In the final quarter, students have the option to focus on an advanced, self-directed project to complete their studies. This certificate is suited to industry professionals looking to expand their skill set, as well as current students.
| Degree | Availability | Location |
|---|---|---|
MS |
Full-Time |
Philadelphia |
Certificate |
Part-Time |
Philadelphia |
Application Requirements
On-Campus Program
Fall enrollment requires a waiver from all summer accelerated design and drawing prerequisites by portfolio review.
Please view ouracademic calendarfor term start dates.
| Fall (Sept) | Winter (Jan) | Spring (March) | Summer (June) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U. S. Applicants | N/A | N/A | N/A | Priority: Jan. 15 Regular: June 1 |
| International Applicants | N/A | N/A | N/A | Priority: Jan. 15 Regular: Mar. 1 |
For details regarding the items below, please review theAdmission Application Instructions.
How to Submit Application Materials
Drexel Admissions is currently processing application documents received through the U.S. Postal Service and courier services (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.), although there is a slight delay in processing these documents. We strongly recommend that you submit all official transcripts and supporting documentation electronically to enroll@drexel.edu. If your school is not able to send official transcripts electronically, please request that official documents be sent by mail or courier service. Please allow 3–4 weeks for transcripts and supporting documents sent by mail or courier to be processed. We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time at Drexel and around the world. We will process all documents as soon as we receive them, but please expect some delays.Graduate Admission Application
Applicants may only apply to one program. All documents submitted by you or on your behalf in support of this application for admission to Drexel University become the property of the University, and will under no circumstances be released to you or any other party. Please note, an application fee of $65 U.S. is required.
Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel fromallof the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.
Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.
If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.
Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit theAmerican Translators Association websiteto search for an ATA-certified translator.
International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents toenroll@drexel.edu. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.
If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
International Transcripts
Transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency for admittance into this program. Drexel University accepts course-by-course transcript evaluations from members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For a list of member agencies, please visit theNACES website.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 90/577/233), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS minimum Overall Band Score: 6.5), the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 61), or the Duolingo Test (Duolingo minimum score: 110) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.
Essay
Please write approximately 500 words explaining your reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel; your short-term and long-term career plans; and how your background, experience, interest, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully.
Submit your essay with your application or through theDiscover Drexel portalafter you submit your application.
Résumé
Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through theDiscover Drexel Portalafter you submit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required. To electronically request recommendations, you must list your recommenders and their contact information on your application. We advise that you follow up with your recommenders to ensure they received your recommendation request — they may need to check their junk mail folder. Additionally, it is your responsibility to confirm that your recommenders will submit letters by your application deadline and follow up with recommenders who have not completed their recommendations.
Request recommendations with your application or through theDiscover Drexel portalafter you submit your application.
Alternatively, you may submit your recommendation letters by mail. Letters must include the address, phone number, and signature of the recommender. The recommendation envelope must be submitted unopened to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Portfolio (Optional)
Portfolio (Optional)Applicants are encouraged to follow the portfolio guidelines carefully and submit materials that strengthen their application. Guidelines vary by program; please refer to individual program portfolio guidelines. The portfolio must be completed inSlideRoom.
Applicants who would like to be considered for exemption from undergraduate prerequisites in studio art and design courses must submit a portfolio, which should include 12 to 20 pieces of your strongest and most recent work in a variety of media that demonstrate a balance of technique and concept.
The Fashion Design Graduate Admissions Committee is examining your work for originality, creative problem solving, and systematic thinking. Relevant work related to fashion design, thematic work, or a series of pieces is received favorably.
Portfolio contents may include fashion design work such as sketchbooks, print design, knit design, textile design, garment designs or studies, three-dimensional work, or live fashion-related work. The portfolio may also include any combination of drawings, paintings, printmaking, photography, graphic design, architectural design, interior design, ceramics, sculpture, fiber art, jewelry and metals, furniture, designed objects, animation, computer-generated images, film, video, performance art, or websites.
If the portfolio includes film or video work, it may not exceed 5 minutes of total running time. For collaborative works, it is important to provide credits and describe your role(s) within the creative process.
Please direct inquiries regarding the portfolio to:
Jackie Kilmartin
Associate Professor
Director, Graduate Fashion Design
215.895.0359
jk942@drexel.edu