Curriculum Overview and Courses

Follow Fashion

The undergraduate Fashion Design Core pathway curriculum consists of a scaffolded sequence of co-taught design and construction courses over the course of the sophomore, junior, and senior levels, providing a firm foundation in drawing, draping, pattern-making, and garment construction. In courses that combine historical research with contemporary explorations, students transcend the traditional boundaries of fashion to examine clothing as it relates to lifestyle, performance, display, costume, and art. Learn more about the pathway [PDF]

A guide to applying to the Fashion Design Core program, including specific requirements for the application, can be found here: https://bit.ly/3D8oQVD [PDF]

Applications to the Fashion Design Core program (for courses beginning Fall 2022) will be accepted February 5 through February 22, 2022. The application will open on February 5, through the following Google Form: https://forms.gle/jpKhopJaGCiTK9Yn6
(This Google Form link is also listed on the application guide, above.)

Body-builder as a pathway through the elective course offerings on their own gives students the opportunity to specialize into their self-selected area of interest such as illustration, accessories, knitwear, embellishment, performance oriented design, or foundation studies as part of the academic spine.

Learn more about the pathway [PDF]

First Year Fall  15  
  • FASH 5310 Design Studio 1: Dress, Un-Dress, Re-Dress (6)
  • FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab (3)
  • ARTHI 5002 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3) or
    ARTHI 5120 Survey of Modern and Contemporary Architecture and Design (3)
  • FASH 5315 Seminar: Professional Practice (3) required
  
First Year Spring  15  
  • FASH 5330 Design Studio 2: Interfacing Fashion (6)
  • ARTHI 5560 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment I (3)
  • Electives (6)
  
Second Year Fall  15  
  • FASH 6310 Design Studio 3: Contextualizing Fashion (6)
  • ARTHI 5561 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment II (3)
  • Elective (6)
  
Second Year Spring  15  
  • FASH 6330 Design Studio 4: Fashion, Fusion, Vision (6)
  • FASH 6335 Seminar: Professional Practice 2 (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Art history elective (3)
  
Participation in four Graduate Critiques  
Participation in Graduate Design Exhibition  
Total Credit Hours 60  

Degree requirements and specifications

  1. Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. This includes time off for approved leaves of absence.
  2. Transfer credits: A minimum of 45 credit hours must be completed in residence at SAIC. Up to 15 transfer credits may be requested at the time of application for admission and are subject to approval at that time. No transfer credit will be permitted after a student is admitted.
  3. Design Studio: Each design studio must be successfully completed prior to participation in the consecutive design studio.
  4. Advanced Fabrication Lab: FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab must be taken in the first fall semester.
  5. Full-Time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion, Body and Garment is a 30-credit hour program that helps students who already have a bachelor's degree develop a portfolio for the fashion design field. Read on for the coursework required to complete this certificate.

Term Credit Hours
Summer Intensive  6  
  • FASH 5101 Design Studio I (6)
  
Fall Semester  12  
  • FASH 5110 Design Studio II (6)
  • FASH Elective (3)
  • ARTHI (3)
  
Spring Semester  12  
  • FASH 5130 Design Studio III (6)
  • FASH Elective (3) OR
      FASH 3021 Fashion Intensive Portfolio (3)
  •   ARTHI Elective, suggestion (3)
  
Participation in two Graduate Critiques   
Total Credit Hours 30  

Certificate requirements and specifications

  1. Curriculum: The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fashion, Body and Garment program is designed to be a full-time, three-semester program. Any exception to this requirement must be approved by the program/department chair and will only extend to one full calendar year.
  2. Full-time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours

The information below updates twice a week--it is possible that changes may occur between updates. Up-to-the-minute information for enrolled students can always be found at PeopleSoft Self-Service.