The Fashion & Retail Management Bachelor of Science degree program at The Art Institute of San Antonio is designed to offer experience across disciplines in business and fashion management. This cross-functional focus allows students to expand beyond traditional fashion positions and choose among entry-level opportunities in manufacturing, retail management, buying and merchandising, fashion publicity, and even business ownership. Students have opportunities to develop real-world projects that are taken from concept to final product. This program also includes Internet and international components that respond to the rapidly changing world of retail.

Mission Statement
The Fashion & Retail Management program is designed to provide individuals with a combination of current fashion knowledge and business judgment that is designed to prepare for entry into the fashion and retail management industry.

Entry-Level Career Opportunities
Graduates of the bachelor?s degree program are prepared to seek entry-level, professional positions such as sales manager, assistant department store manager, associate buyer, buyer, display manager, online sales manager, stylist, special events coordinator and visual merchandiser.

Fashion design is the applied art of designing clothing and lifestyle accessories created within the cultural and social influences of a specific time. The fashion design program is designed to explore industry practices from concept to consumer. Coursework incorporates technical sketching and fashion illustration, flat pattern-making and draping, computer-aided design, garment construction and fit, industry software knowledge, and conceptual and critical thinking. The curriculum is designed to offer exposure to global fashion business practices, product development, entrepreneurship and professional presentations.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Fashion Design program is to prepare students for entry-level positions within the fashion design industry by providing a fundamental grounding in fashion design, technical illustration, design research and forecasting. The program includes an introduction to the theory and practice of creative design, draping, pattern drafting, construction and sewing. These skills are enhanced through industry-standard computerized hardware and software systems. Advanced courses are designed to provide students with the opportunity to focus on specific design areas. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to pursue a wide variety of entry-level positions in the fashion design field.

Entry-Level Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities within the various sectors of the Fashion industry include retail and wholesale garment businesses, haute couture, handloom/textile manufacturers, fashion show organizers and publishers, export houses dealing with garment/textile/handloom exports, television/film fashion program producers and costume designers. Graduates may seek entry-level positions with titles such as Assistant Fashion Designer, Assistant Technical Designer, Fashion Designer, Fabric/Textile Designer, Costume Designer, Salesperson/Sales Associate, Buyer, Merchandiser, Visual Merchandiser, Merchandising Assistant, and Patternmaker.

The Fashion Retailing Diploma program teaches students how to use their combined creative and business skills to display, market, and sell fashion merchandise. The well-trained student will be able to effectively understand and meet the customer?s needs, and ultimately encourage sales. This is accomplished by having a keen awareness to the changing needs of the consumer, learning how to identify 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 construction, identify appropriate characteristics and uses of different textiles. They will also gain knowledge of consumer behavior, retail operations, visual merchandising, the larger marketplace, and business skills.

Mission Statement
The mission of the diploma program in Fashion Retailing is to prepare students to obtain positions in the field 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 boutiques, specialty stores, national department stores, and discount chains. Students primarily focus on retail sales, management, operations, fashion trends, and promotion.

Entry-Level Career Opportunities
Graduates of the fashion retailing diploma program are prepared to seek such entry-level, professional positions as area sales manager, associate visual merchandiser, online sales support analyst, stylist, special events coordinator, allocation and distribution assistant, and buying office administrative support functions.