Graduate Curriculum & Courses

SAIC’s Fashion department offers one of the most intense interdisciplinary fashion design programs in the US. Available in both two-year and three-year tracks based on experience, the Master of Fine Arts in Fashion, Body and Garment program allows students to produce a distilled collection or body of work—and learn how to best show that work off, from presentations to gallery exhibitions. 


Three-Year MFA (78 credit hours) 


Two-Year MFA (60 credit hours) 

Year 1: Fall (12 credit hours)

  • FASH 5110 Design Principles (3)
    Studio class (5 hours) 
  • FASH 5122 Studio Techniques (3)
    Studio class (5 hours)
  • FASH 6315 Seminar: Professional Practice (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
  • ARTHI 5002 Graduate Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

Year 1: Fall (15 credit hours)

  • FASH 5310 Fashion Design Studio I (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
  • FASH 5313 Advanced Fabrication & Material (3)
    Studio class (5 hours)
  • FASH 5315 Seminar: Professional Practice (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
  • ARTHI 5002 Graduate Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

Year 1: Spring (12 credit hours)

  • FASH 5130 Advanced Design Principles (6)
    (5 hours, two days per week) 
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class
  • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class

Year 1: Spring (15 credit hours)

  • FASH 5330 Fashion Design Studio II (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
  • ARTHI 5560 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class
  • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class

Year 1: Additional Requirements

Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques 

Year 1: Additional Requirements

Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques 

Year 2: Fall (12 credit hours)

  • FASH 5310 Fashion Design Studio I (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
  • FASH 5313 Advanced Fabrication & Material (3)
    Studio class (5 hours) 
  • Art History: must be 4000, 5000, or 6000 level (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 

Year 2: Fall (15 credit hours)

  • FASH 6310 Fashion Design Studio III (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week) 
  • ARTHI 5028 Form and Function in Fashion and Design History (recommended) 
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3) 
    Seminar or Studio class
  • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class 

Year 2: Spring (15 credit hours)

 

  • FASH 5330 Fashion Design Studio II (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
  • ARTHI 5560 Critical Perspectives in Fashion, Body and Garment (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class
  • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class

 Year 2: Spring (15 credit hours)

  • FASH 6330 Fashion Design Studio IV (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
  • FASH 6335 Seminar: Professional Practice II (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Art History: must be 4000, 5000, or 6000 level (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) 
  • Elective, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class

Year 2: Additional Requirements

Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques 

Year 2: Additional Requirements

Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques 
Participation in the Thesis Show  

Year 3: Fall (15 credit hours)

 

  • FASH 6310 Fashion Design Studio III (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
  • Art History: must be 4000, 5000 or 6000 level (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes) ARTHI 5028 Form and Function in Fashion and Design History (recommended)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class
  • Elective 2, 3000 level and above (3)
    Seminar or Studio class

CREDIT HOUR TOTALS:


Fashion, Body & Garment Studios: 27

Interdisciplinary or Fashion Electives: 15 

Professional Practice: 6

Art History: 12


Total Credit Hours MFA 2-Year: 60

Year 3: Spring (12 credit hours)

 

  • FASH 6330 Fashion Design Studio IV (6)
    Studio class (5 hours, two days per week)
  • FASH 6335 Seminar: Professional Practice II (3)
    Seminar class (2 hours, 45 minutes)
  • Elective 1, 3000 level and above: (3)
    Seminar or Studio class
 

Year 3: Additional Requirements

Participation in Fall & Spring Graduate Critiques

Participation in the Thesis Show

 

CREDIT HOUR TOTALS:

 

Fashion, Body & Garment Studios: 39

Interdisciplinary or Fashion Electives: 21 

Professional Practice: 6

Art History: 12

 

Total Credit Hours MFA 3-Year: 78

 

MFA Fashion, Body & Garment Two-Year Track

Our two-year MFA program is for students looking to build on their existing foundations and elevate their portfolios to new heights. This program encourages fashion students to work at a larger scale, think expansively about their practices, and push the boundaries of fashion design. 

Degree requirements and specifications

Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. This includes time off for approved leaves of absence.

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.

Design Studio: Each design studio must be successfully completed prior to participation in the consecutive design studio.

Advanced Fabrication Lab: FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab must be taken in the first fall semester.

Full-Time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours

MFA Fashion, Body & Garment Three-Year Track

Our three-year MFA program is designed to provide students with the technical foundations they need, from making patterns to learning essential stitches. This program offers an additional foundational year and allows students to develop and refine their fashion-related skill sets without having to start from scratch in an undergraduate program. 

Degree requirements and specifications

Completion schedule: Students have a maximum of four years to complete the degree. This includes time off for approved leaves of absence.

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.

Design Studio: Each design studio must be successfully completed prior to participation in the consecutive design studio.

Advanced Fabrication Lab: FASH 5311 Advanced Fabrication Lab must be taken in the fall semester of the second year of the MFA 3-yr.

Full-Time Status Minimum Requirement: 12 credit hours
 

Course Listing

Title Catalog Instructor Schedule

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1491

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1492

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 727

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1493

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 706

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1494

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 727

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1495

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 705

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1527

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 703

Description

This is an introductory look into fashion. Students will explore basic design skills
and processes, and work with various materials used in constructing garments. Both traditional and non-traditional materials will be explored through techniques and exercises related to the body. Students will learn how the tools and equipment for hand and machine sewing functions, and its role in constructing garments. A critical overview of fashion introduces students to various practical and theoretical approaches to understand and explore fashion within an art context.

Class Number

1538

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design

Location

Sullivan Center 704

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1528

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1529

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 703

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1530

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 706

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1531

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 704

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1537

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1539

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702

Description

This course offers foundational methods of draping, pattern drafting, and construction techniques to build garments. The students learn how to develop a set of slopers, consisting of bodice, sleeve and skirt, combining and integrating draping and pattern drafting methods. Through these methods, the students develop and construct design concepts, first in muslin, then in fabric; stressing the importance of proper fit and craftsmanship. No pre-req.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1543

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 702

Description

Fashion Design I builds the skills and talents required to achieve creative fashion. This class teaches the design fundamentals of the integrated core fashion design curriculum. Students will engage multiple skills to create individual, visionary, unconventional garments, and later, collections. Through a series of projects, students explore form, silhouette, volume, and research in design to arrive at a personal point-of-view in fashion. This course will specifically ask students to work conceptually and to develop research methodologies in their design work. Based on this inquiry, students generate sketches and surface treatments to refine their unique silhouettes and material manipulations. No prerequisite.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1532

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 704

Description

Fashion Design I builds the skills and talents required to achieve creative fashion. This class teaches the design fundamentals of the integrated core fashion design curriculum. Students will engage multiple skills to create individual, visionary, unconventional garments, and later, collections. Through a series of projects, students explore form, silhouette, volume, and research in design to arrive at a personal point-of-view in fashion. This course will specifically ask students to work conceptually and to develop research methodologies in their design work. Based on this inquiry, students generate sketches and surface treatments to refine their unique silhouettes and material manipulations. No prerequisite.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1533

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 705

Description

Fashion Design I builds the skills and talents required to achieve creative fashion. This class teaches the design fundamentals of the integrated core fashion design curriculum. Students will engage multiple skills to create individual, visionary, unconventional garments, and later, collections. Through a series of projects, students explore form, silhouette, volume, and research in design to arrive at a personal point-of-view in fashion. This course will specifically ask students to work conceptually and to develop research methodologies in their design work. Based on this inquiry, students generate sketches and surface treatments to refine their unique silhouettes and material manipulations. No prerequisite.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1534

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 703

Description

Fashion Design I builds the skills and talents required to achieve creative fashion. This class teaches the design fundamentals of the integrated core fashion design curriculum. Students will engage multiple skills to create individual, visionary, unconventional garments, and later, collections. Through a series of projects, students explore form, silhouette, volume, and research in design to arrive at a personal point-of-view in fashion. This course will specifically ask students to work conceptually and to develop research methodologies in their design work. Based on this inquiry, students generate sketches and surface treatments to refine their unique silhouettes and material manipulations. No prerequisite.

Prerequisites

Students must be a sophomore grade level or permission by instructor

Class Number

1535

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Location

Sullivan Center 705

Description

Explorations in the design of 'experimental' garments using the basic elements of mass, volume, form and motion. Rather than concerning themselves with current design trends or regular fashion problems, students emphasize bodies as forms in motion or as moving sculpture.

Class Number

1515

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design, Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sullivan Center 723

Description

Explorations in the design of 'experimental' garments using the basic elements of mass, volume, form and motion. Rather than concerning themselves with current design trends or regular fashion problems, students emphasize bodies as forms in motion or as moving sculpture.

Class Number

1519

Credits

3

Department

Fashion Design

Area of Study

Costume Design, Community & Social Engagement

Location

Sullivan Center 723

Take the Next Step

Visit the graduate admissions website or contact the graduate admissions office at 312.629.6100, 800.232.7242, or gradmiss@saic.edu.