Where in Kansas City, MO, Can I Earn a Fashion Design & Merchandising Degree?

If you would like to obtain a degree in fashion in the vicinity of Kansas City, MO, you might choose to enroll in the Kansas City Art Institute, or the University of Central Missouri. In addition to bachelor's degree programs, continuing education classes are available as well, to help further your career.

What You Should Know

Fashion programs right in the city and within 50 miles are typically found at 4-year institutions. You might pursue a 4-year bachelor's degree in fine arts with a fibers major or a bachelor's degree in fashion: textiles and clothing in business. An internship or completion of other professional work experience may be required. Select programs require a portfolio for admittance. Continuing education classes and workshops in varying topics related to fibers are also available and program length varies. Explore the following programs to find one that suits your needs.

Fashion Design and Merchandising Bachelor's Degrees in the Kansas City, MO, Area

Kansas City Art Institute

The Kansas City Art Institute is accredited by both the Higher Learning Commission and the National Association for Schools of Art and Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts program offers two program options: a major in art history or creative writing combined with a specialization in a fine or applied art or an intensive studio experience that includes one or more semesters of work in concentrated and complimentary disciplines.

Core classes for the fiber major include topics in surface and textile design, sculptural textiles and wovens. As a student in the program, you'll have the opportunity to explore a variety of techniques, such as felting, knitting, printing, quilting, weaving and experimental fiber construction. Classes specific to apparel design include workshops in costume design, draping, flat-pattern drafting and the most-up-to-date construction technologies used in the fashion industry. This program culminates in a senior internship and thesis seminar.

• Program: Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in fiber
• Program Length: 129 credit hours (approximately four years of full-time study)
• Tuition: $38,400 per year (2018-2019 for full-time students, includes fees)
• Admission Requirements: Portfolio; two or more letters of recommendation; recommended high school coursework in English, social science and art
• School Type: 4-year, private (not-for-profit); approximately 700 undergraduate students

University of Central Missouri

The University of Central Missouri's main campus is situated in a residential community approximately 50 miles from Kansas City, MO. Through the textile and clothing business program, you can receive the training you need to work as a buyer, fashion coordinator or editor, manufacturing representative, retail manager or visual merchandiser.

In addition to fashion seminars, you'll take classes in clothing design and sewing, fashion buying and promotion, textile science, costume history and visual merchandising. A minor in business administration or marketing, along with three credits of professional work experience, are also required for this program.

• Program: Bachelor of Science in Fashion: Textiles and Clothing in Business
• Program Length: 120 credit hours (approximately four years of full-time study)
• Tuition: $7,673 per year for MO residents; $14,442 for non-residents (2018-2019, including fees)
• Admission Requirements: Completion of the state's college preparatory curriculum
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 9,300 undergraduates and about 2,200 graduate students

Fashion Design and Merchandising Continuing Education Programs in the Kansas City, MO, Area

Kansas City Art Institute

The Kansas City Art Institute's continuing education classes are offered both at the main campus and the school's North campus, which is located about six miles from Kansas City. Classes vary by term, but recent fiber offerings have included workshops in basic sewing, dyeing and painted patterns. The sewing class can teach you to use a sewing machine, execute and tell the difference between different kinds of stitches and choose fabrics.

If you're more interested in surface design, courses in fabric painting and dyeing can show you how to work with acrylics, airbrushes, stencils and resist techniques to decorate a variety of items, including scarves, wraps, leg wear and costumes.

• Program: Continuing and professional studies in fiber
• Program Length: Varies
• Tuition: $39,175 per year (2019-2020, including fees)
• School Type: 4-year, private (not-for-profit); about 700 undergraduate students

In summary, the Kansas City area is home to the Kansas City Art Institute, where you can earn a bachelor's degree or take individual classes in fashion, and the University of Central Missouri, which offers bachelor's degrees.