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Do you want to learn about all things fashion merchandising? Are you interested in studying fashion design? Look no further than Johnson County Community College’s Fashion Merchandising and Design program.

What Will I Learn in JCCC’s Fashion Merchandising and Design Program?

Combine your creativity and business interests for a career in the global fashion merchandising and design industry. You will develop an appreciation for style and quality, and learn to communicate through traditional and emerging media. Students also gain the technical and business skills needed to develop and promote goods in the ever-changing marketplace.

Our curriculum prepares you for a career in retail management, retail sales, apparel design, illustration, or market representative positions. JCCC’s Fashion Merchandising and Design program offers students three different paths to follow:

Apparel Design and Technology, AAS

Through over 60 credit hours of fashion design courses, you will acquire both creative fashion and analytical problem-solving skills. After completing all of the required hours, you'll earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Apparel Design and Technology. If you choose this route, you will:

  • Discover how to take a design from concept to creation to production
  • Learn how to use technology applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Gerber Accumark and Gerber Yunique PLM
  • Have access to key business techniques through industry-savvy faculty and networking
  • Create a collection of original designs for the annual Fashion Merchandising and Design Fashion Show
  • Develop your portfolio through illustration, computer-aided design and pattern making

Fashion Merchandising and Marketing, AAS

You will study the supply chain of fashion from manufacturing to selling and everything in between. Through two years, you will learn about the fashion industry and develop the skills needed for a successful career. This requires at least 67 credit hours.

You will earn an Associate of Applied Science degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing after completing all required coursework. In this program, you will:

  • Study brand management in today’s digital era
  • Learn to combine creative product selection with data analysis to drive sales and revenue
  • Understand the supply chain from manufacturing to buying and promotion to selling in person and online
  • Develop skills in assortment planning, store layout and visual display, management, and more

Visual Merchandising Certificate

You will study the impact visual merchandising has on retailer success. This includes learning how to create visual displays that promote and sell products. The certificate involves 25 hours of coursework, and students will be prepared for any entry-level position in retail visual merchandising. In this program, you will:

  • Learn creative visual presentation using techniques in layout, lighting, figures and props
  • Use practical and theoretical techniques
  • Master presentation of design, color theory, concept visualization, trend forecasting and retail graphics

Why JCCC’s Fashion Merchandising and Design Program?

At JCCC, you will have access to additional inspiration from the JCCC Historical Fashion Collection. This significant collection contains more than 1,500 pieces of apparel from top-notch designers. 

At JCCC, critical industry software programs will be shared, including product lifecycle management (PLM) software. JCCC is one of the few apparel design programs in the country to use this platform in its curriculum.

You can earn course credit for travel to New York City and Las Vegas for trade shows. Credit is also given for participating in JCCC’s Fashion Show. Instructors with industry experience will prepare you to showcase your collection at our annual spring fashion show.

Networking is vital to success in the fashion industry. Through these programs, you will meet new friends, consult with professionals, and gain valuable hands-on experience through internships and events. There is a strong sense of community in the department. Meet new fashion-minded friends by participating in the Fashion Merchandising and Design Club activities.

After you complete your certificate or associate degree, you may want to pursue further fashion design programs. JCCC has several pathways established with four-year universities across the country for a seamless transfer of all credits toward the pursuit of a Bachelors degree.

Take advantage of the department’s travel-for-credit classes where you can experience invaluable opportunities through exploration and immersion in the fashion industry. You can experience the New York fashion market, attend MAGIC trade show in Las Vegas or even study abroad at the University of Arts in Florence, Italy. Whether through networking with industry professionals or bonding with fellow students, these trips create lasting memories and offer outstanding hands-on career learning.

Read how to combine a passion for fashion with the itch to travel.
Joy Rhodes, Chair, Fashion Merchandising and Design

"The JCCC Fashion Merchandising and Design department takes great pride in preparing students for a fashion career using industry standard technology and regularly updating our curriculum to meet the needs of the fast-changing fashion business."

Join other successful JCCC students Apply now

You can choose from two associate degrees: Apparel Design and Technology or Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. You can also earn a certificate in Visual Merchandising.

In the Apparel Design and Technology program you will:

  • Discover how to take a design from concept to creation to production
  • Have access to key business techniques through industry-savvy faculty and networking
  • Develop your portfolio through illustration, computer-aided design and pattern making

In the Fashion and Merchandising and Marketing program you will:

  • Study brand management in today’s digital era
  • Learn to combine creative product selection with data analysis to drive sales and revenue
  • Understand the supply chain from manufacturing to buying and promotion to selling person-to-person and online

The Visual Merchandising certificate focuses on:

  • Creative visual presentation using techniques in layout, lighting, figures and props
  • Practical and theoretical techniques
  • Presentation of design, color theory, concept visualization, trend forecasting and retail graphics

Find employment projections and salary information at the Power BI Post Graduate Report.


Need help with career decisions? Visit the Career Development Center.

The cost of going to college can drastically impact your ability to succeed. At Johnson County Community College, we want our students to be able to afford a program that they love. That’s why we’re constantly working to make tuition more affordable for you.

Here’s what JCCC has to offer:

Textbook and other supply costs vary depending on your courses.

There are several things to consider when budgeting for college. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for detailed information.

Resources and Tools at JCCC

Being a student at JCCC means you have access to a range of services and resources to help you succeed. We offer professional tutoring and small, personalized class sizes. When you attend Johnson County Community College, your education truly matters.

The cost of going to school can be daunting. Fortunately, our Financial Aid office is here to help you through the process. Our counselors can help you find ways to fund your schooling, including scholarships and student loans, both of which can help to reduce the cost of your tuition every semester.

If you need help discovering what your passion will be post-graduation, our Career Development Center and Academic Counseling services are great support tools.

You can also further your education by transferring to a four-year school. JCCC is here to help make the transition to another college program easy and stress-free.