Professional Development

Activity:

a. As a Fashion Merchandising major and Communication Studies minor, I chose three

graduate programs from varying institutions that tie in with my current studies. The first

program that I chose was the Master of Business Administration Degree at The Fashion

Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), which is located in Los Angeles,

California. The second program is the Master of Arts in Fashion Studies, at Parsons

School of Design, in Lower Manhattan, New York City, NY. The final program I chose

was the Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Marketing, at LIM College, located in

New York City, New York. All three colleges are private, specialized institutions,

focused in the area of fashion.

b. 1- http://fidm.edu/en/majors/business+administration/

2- https://www.newschool.edu/parsons/ma-fashion-studies/?show=program-admission-

requirements

3- https://www.limcollege.edu/academics/graduate/mps-fashion-marketing

c. Each of the institutions has very different admissions requirements for their graduate

programs. According to FIDM’s website, a student with a prior two or four-year college

degree (from a different institution), must first enroll in one of a professional designation

program in order to become eligible for the MBA program. These are concentrated,

accelerated programs, offered in a variety of specialties, such as merchandising and

marketing, or visual communications. Upon completion, students are then able to apply

for the advanced study program or MBA program. On the website, it is suggested to meet

with an Admissions Advisor prior to application, however the requirements include

official transcripts, letters of recommendation, admissions essay, and portfolio/entrance

project depending on area of study. For Parsons’ graduate program, an application and

fee is required, alongside transcripts, a resumé, statement of purpose (includes

autobiographical statement and academic statement of interests), and recommendation

letters. In addition to this paper work, it is required that applicants have earned a four-

year degree from a university. Finally, Parson’s website states that applicants may be

requested to complete an interview on the phone or in-person. For the third college of

choice, LIM College requires applicants to provide proof of graduation, one letter of

recommendation, an online application along with a nonrefundable fee, and an essay.

d. Although all programs are in the field of fashion, they all vary in focus and curriculum.

The MBA program at the FIDM is geared towards students who want to become

entrepreneurs or work in the corporate world. It combines both theory and practical

application in the creative fields of fashion, entertainment, beauty, or interior design. As

explained on their website, “the program involves strong and distinctive emphasis on

innovative business development design concepts with broad global consideration and the

enhancement of entrepreneurial creativity.” This varies from the program offered at

Parsons, where fashion is studied from a critical and historical perspective. The Master of

Arts in Fashion Studies offers courses that examine fashion and its connections to art and

design, visual studies, film, gender studies, anthropology, and more. In addition,

according to Parson’s website, the program enables students to get a better understanding

of two specific areas, fashion curation and fashion journalism. Through electives,

interested students can learn of the archiving practices in fashion, as well as the

technicalities of fashion journalism. For the third graduate program, offered by LIM

College, the Master’s in Fashion Marketing focuses on theoretical knowledge of fashion,

as well as an emphasis on hands-on experience. As explained on their website, students

will learn how to discover trends, build and maintain strong brands, and influence and

engage customers. The courses that are offered aim to create a strong foundation in

theory, as well as provide industry experience and explore career opportunities, so that

graduates are well equipped for their future occupations.

e. Although all three of the colleges are private fashion institutions, the prices for each

program vary drastically. Firstly, FIDM costs $31,795 for the professional designation,

which is the requirement prior to application for the master’s degree. The MBA program

costs $42,090 for tuition and roughly $2,763 for books and supplies, therefore an overall

estimated price of $76,648. Parsons’ MA in Fashion Studies costs $24,010 per term, so

an overall price for four terms would be around $96,040 (not including books and

supplies). Finally, LIM College charges $28,250 for tuition and fees and around $1,200

for books and supplies. Therefore, the Master’s in Fashion Marketing estimates at

$29,450.

Another factor that it is important to take note of is the length of each program.

The professional designation program lasts twelve months and the master’s degree is

fifteen months, therefore FIDM’s overall program length would be around two and a half

years, depending on when the terms are. On the other hand, Parsons’ program is four

semesters (Fall & Spring for two years), therefore would be two years long. Finally, LIM

college offers the shortest year-long program, of two terms.

f. All three programs differ in cost, location, length, and offerings. FIDM is advantageous

in that it is located in Los Angeles, which is the city I currently live in. It would not

require a big move, in comparison to the other two East Coast colleges, and I would be

able to commute so there would be no change in living situation or cost. However, I

found there to be more disadvantages for this choice, as an additional program is required

prior to the master’s degree, which adds on costs and time. Also, in comparison to the

other two schools, FIDM has a questionable reputation, and I feel like a degree from this

institution would not be as reputable as Parsons or possibly LIM. For Parsons’ program

in Fashion Studies, I think that the curriculum and course itself stood out as an advantage.

It would open doors to certain areas of the industry and opportunities, that the other two

would not. Additionally, Parsons is a well-known, respected school for fashion, in an

amazing location of Greenwich Village, New York City. The biggest disadvantage for

this program is the staggering cost of close to $100,000, not including room and board,

which would likely be high considering it is located in New York. Finally, LIM College

stood out with its many advantages, of a short year-long program, reasonable cost, and

exciting dynamic course curriculum. In comparison to the other two programs, I found no

disadvantages.

g. Based on my detailed research and comparisons of the three graduate programs, I would

choose the MPS in Fashion Marketing at LIM College. It was predominantly the course

itself that stood out and resonated with me the most. It has a dynamic curriculum of

hands-on experience, yet a strong foundation in theory, which I feel would be the best fit

for my learning style. In addition, the MPS in Fashion Marketing is the most suited to my

interests and career goals. It is also the cheapest and the shortest of the three graduate

programs, so I would be able to complete the course in a timely fashion, with minimized

debts. Lastly, its’ location in Midtown Manhattan stood out, as New York is one of the

fashion capitals of the world. Although the room and board would likely be high, this

hands-on, career focused program would likely bring opportunities that other schools

would not.