Course Descripons - The Art Institutes

Diploma Programs
FASHION RETAILING, Diploma
Off ered at Chicago, Cincinna� , Michigan, Schaumburg, and Tinley Park
Mission
The mission of the diploma program in Fashion Retailing is to prepare students to obtain posi� ons in the fi eld of fashion
retailing. The program is intended for students who have a background in fashion and are interested in developing retail
management and business skills, or who are preparing for a career in fashion retailing in bou� ques, specialty stores, na-
� onal department stores, and discount chains. Students primarily focus on retail sales, management, opera� ons, fashion
trends, and promo� on.
Program Descrip� on
The Fashion Retailing Diploma program teaches students how to use their combined crea� ve and business skills to display,
market, and sell fashion merchandise. The well-trained student will be able to eff ec� vely understand and meet the customer’s
needs, and ul� mately encourage sales. This is accomplished by having a keen awareness to the changing needs of the
consumer, learning how to iden� fy and predict new style trends, and by being able to conceptualize and promote fashion
displays and sales campaigns. Individuals in fashion retailing will learn how to evaluate apparel construc� on, iden� fy appropriate
characteris� cs and uses of diff erent tex� les. They will also gain knowledge of consumer behavior, retail opera� ons,
visual merchandising, the larger marketplace, and business skills.
Desired Student Outcomes
1. Industry knowledge: Graduates will posses retail management and business skills that prepare them for a career in
fashion retailing in bou� ques, specialty stores, na� onal department stores, and discount chains with focus on retail sales,
management, opera� ons, fashion trends, and promo� on.
2. Technology: Graduates will demonstrate profi ciency with common business computer programs including inventory management,
presenta� on, spreadsheet, on-line research, and website so� ware.
3. Planning and problem-solving: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to plan and analyze key marke� ng and management
processes, including an ability to analyze, formulate and implement innova� ve solu� ons.
Course Title Prerequisites and Course Sequences Credits
FM110 Survey of the Fashion Industry 4
FM120 Intro to Business & Retailing 4
FM126 Tex� les 4
FM130 Principles of Marke� ng FM120 4
FM210 Trends & Concepts in Apparel FM110 4
FM212 Consumer Behavior FM130 4
FM220 Visual Techniques & Design 4
FM322 Professional Selling FM130 4
FM324 Apparel Evalua� on & Produc� on FM126, FM210 4
FM332 Public Rela� ons FM210 4
FM410 Product Development FM324 4
FM424 Event Planning & Promo� on 4
61 Academic Programs