Fashion Design Program Earns National Ranking

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Media contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (July 9, 2014) – Baylor University's Apparel Design and Product Development program was recognized recently by Fashion-Schools.org as among the top fashion design programs in the nation. The website ranked the program 35th out of 75 schools surveyed in the U.S., and sixth among Southwest schools.
The program, housed in the Family & Consumer Sciences Department in the College of Health and Human Sciences, offers a Bachelor of Art in Apparel Design & Product Management and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences Education (BSFCS) in Apparel Design & Product Management.
Rochelle Brunson, Ph.D., lecturer in family and consumer sciences, said the ranking was due, in part, to a newly donated $83,000 high-tech fabric printer they use in the Parker Design & Technology Center. The printer allows students to design their own patterns on fabric for use in their garment designs.
"It is one of the only ones of its brand and size at any university in the United States," Brunson said.
In addition to the state-of-the-art technology center, the program was commended for the opportunities they provide students after they graduate.
"All of the Design and Merchandising majors have a required course credit internship which they complete either between their junior and senior years during the summer term, during the Fall or Spring of their senior year or as a capstone course after all their other coursework is complete," Brunson said.
The Fashion Schools website recognizes Baylor's program as competitive in the internships it provides with top designers such as Anna Sui, MTC, Betsey Johnson, Quick Silver, XOXO MTV, Haggar and Rampage. The program also offers 11-to-21 day Study Tours, which allow Baylor students to travel to different fashion houses around the world to gain knowledge of the industry.
"We have positive relationships with industry professionals and continuously work at expanding that network," Brunson said.
by Rebecca Flannery, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805
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