PROGRAMS of STUDY

FIDM's curriculum is intense, concentrated, and rewarding. The college prepares students to enter the global industries of Fashion, Visual Arts, Interior Design, and Entertainment. Our graduates enter the market as highly trained professionals, ready to make a contribution. We offer Associate of Arts, A.A. Professional Designation, A.A. Advanced Study, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs designed to enhance a variety of educational backgrounds. Every program leads to a degree. Our curriculum has been developed, and is continually updated, to reflect the needs of each industry served by our majors.

Associate of Arts Degree Programs

Associate of Arts Programs are designed for students who have a high school diploma or the recognized equivalent. These programs offer the highly specialized curriculum of a specific major, as well as a traditional liberal arts/general studies foundation:

• – Apparel Industry Management
• – Beauty Marketing & Product Development
• – Digital Media*
• – Fashion Design*
• – Footwear Design & Development*
• – Graphic Design*
• – Interior Design*
• – Jewelry Design*
• – Merchandise Product Development
• – Merchandising & Marketing
• – Social Media
• – Textile Design*
• – Visual Communications*

Associate of Arts Professional Designation Degree Programs 

Degree Programs Professional Designation Programs are concentrated programs for individuals who hold an accredited degree from a U.S. college or university, a certified international Bachelor's or higher degree, or have completed at least 45 semester units of transferable academic coursework at an accredited college. These are programs of intensive study in one of the college's specialized majors and culminate in the Associate of Arts degree. These programs complement prior educational experiences. Programs are offered in the following majors:

• – Apparel Industry Management
• – Beauty Marketing & Product Development
• – Digital Media*
• – Fashion Design*
• – Footwear Design & Development*
• – Graphic Design*
• – Interior Design*
• – Jewelry Design*
• – Merchandise Product Development
• – Merchandising & Marketing (also available online in some states and internationally)
• – Social Media
• – Textile Design*
• – Visual Communications*

Acceptance to the Professional Designation Program is contingent upon:

• U.S. Students:
• 1. Possession of a degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or
• 2. Official transcripts from a regionally accredited college or university showing successful completion of at least 45 semester units of transferable academic coursework.
• 3. Associate of Applied Science degrees (AAS) and degrees granted by nationally accredited institutions require transcript review to verify academic preparation and number of credits earned in liberal arts subjects.
• International Students:
• 1. A certified International degree equivalent to an accredited U.S. Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree.
• 2. TOEFL score of 183 (computer-based) or 65 (internet-based) –OR– passing score on FIDM's Essay and English Placement Exam.

Associate of Arts Advanced Study Degree Programs

Associate of Arts Advanced Study Programs develop specialized expertise in the student's unique area of study. Admission is limited to candidates who possess a prior FIDM degree in a related discipline. Programs are offered in the following majors:

• – Beauty Industry Management
• – The Business of Denim+
• – Entertainment Set Design & Decoration*+
• – Fashion Design*
• – Film & TV Costume Design*+
• – International Manufacturing & Product Development
• – Menswear*+
• – Theatre Costume Design*

* All FIDM Art and Design majors are accredited by NASAD. FIDM is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. + Open to qualified transfer students with a degree in a related field.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs 

The Bachelor of Arts Programs are open to students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree from FIDM and to qualified transfer students and external degree holders (see list below for specific requirements). Courses are taught on campus and select courses are also available online in some states and internationally.

• – Creative Industry Studies: Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree, or 45-60 semester units of transferable academic credit
• – Design*: FIDM A.A. in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Textile Design, or Visual Communications
• – Digital Cinema*: A.A. in Digital Media or in a related field
• –Fashion Knitwear Design: A.A. in Fashion Design
• – Graphic Design*: A.A. in Graphic Design
• – Interior Design*: A.A. in Interior Design
• – Social Media*: A.A. in Social Media or in a related field

Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies Program is open to students who have earned an Associate of Arts degree and an Associate of Arts Advanced Study degree from FIDM. Courses are taught on campus and select courses are also available online in some states and internationally. Specializations are:

• Specializations are:
• – Beauty Industry Management
• – The Business of Denim
• – Entertainment Set Design & Decoration*
• – Fashion Design*
• – Film & TV Costume Design*
• – International Manufacturing & Product Development
• – Menswear*
• – Theatre Costume Design*

Bachelor of Science Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Science programs are open to students who have earned Associate of Arts or Science degrees (see list below for specific requirements). All courses are taught on campus. All Business Management courses and select Apparel Technical Design courses are available online in some states and internationally. 

• –Apparel Technical Design requires an Associate of Arts degree from FIDM in Merchandise Product Development.
• – Business Management is open to FIDM Associates of Arts degree holders and to holders of an Associate's degree in a related field (business administration, marketing, or entrepreneurship). The program emphasizes global management and entrepreneurship. 

Master of Business Administration Program 

The Master of Business Administration Program is designed for students who hold an Associate's and a Bachelor's degree from FIDM or another accredited college. Courses are taught on the Los Angeles campus.

Distance Education

FIDM offers selected educational opportunities through distance education. Colleges offering the opportunity to take classes outside of their state must be authorized, or exempt from authorization, by each state in which they offer those courses. No assumptions of availability should be made on the part of the student until checking with FIDM's Admissions or Student Advisement Departments. 

English as a Second Language

To enroll in classes at FIDM, students must have a minimum TOEFL score of 183 CPT or 65 IBT or pass the FIDM Essay and English Placement Exam. For students whose placement exam scores indicate the need for further practice in written English, FIDM offers a Developmental Writing course with emphasis on essay writing and grammar. 

General Studies

General Studies The mission of the General Studies Department is to enhance the academic performance of students through a cohesive program of core classes in English, critical thinking, speech, math, history, economics, color and design, and in art history and textile science for certain majors. To promote ethical and global awareness and to facilitate the development of responsible and productive citizens, FIDM draws upon the rich cultural heritage of its diverse faculty, student body, and community, and incorporates these values through several courses in the curriculum. 

One-on-One Advisement 

One-on-one advisement is available from other FIDM majors to consider eligibility for special admissions to some Associate of Arts Advanced Study and Bachelor's Degree programs.

* All FIDM Art and Design majors are accredited by NASAD. FIDM is accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission.

Hands-on Skills Creativity and computer technology are major components of the Apparel Industry Management program.