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Fashion and Apparel Design Program of Study

This is a general overview of a program of study. Each Program of Study is personalized based on the path you choose. Contact Academic Advising with questions about your program of study.

FYE: FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FYE100: Systems of Drawing
3.0
FYE150: Digital 2D
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FYE199: IAS: FAD: Beginning Sewing
3.0
Required in fall or spring; completed in first year  
FYE110: Visual Language
3.0
FYE130: Fabrication
3.0
FYE121: RPC:
3.0
FYE151: Digital 4D
3.0
Critical Studies: FYE  
WRTG120: Processes of Inquiry
3.0
ARTH151: Intro to the Practice of Art & Design History
3.0
HUMT121: Intro to Humanities
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester first year to complete degree requirements in four years  
SOPHOMORE  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD260: Patternmaking & Construction I
3.0
FAD262: Process of Apparel Design & Illustration
3.0
FAD264: Survey of Global Textiles
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD261: Patternmaking & Construction II
3.0
FAD263: Digital Apparel Design
3.0
FAD265: Process of Apparel Industry
3.0
Studio Electives  
3cr Studio Elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Sophomore  
WRTG200: Critical and Creative Forms
3.0
NASC220: Patterns in Nature
3.0
ARTH217: History of Global Fashion
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester second year to complete degree requirements in four years  
JUNIOR  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD360: Patternmaking & Construction III
3.0
FAD362: Apparel Design Studio I
3.0
FAD364: Digital Patternmaking & Construction
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD363: Apparel Design Studio II
3.0
FAD365: Junior Apparel Seminar
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Junior  
WRTG300: The Creative Professional in Context
3.0
NASC320/350/321: NS Elective
3.0
HUMT340: Topic in Humanities
3.0
HUMT380: Service Learning
3.0
Students complete 15 each semester third year to complete degree requirements  
SENIOR  
Required Major Courses: Fall credits
FAD460: Apparel Design Thesis I
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Required Major Courses: Spring  
FAD461: Apparel Design Thesis II
3.0
FAD307: FAD elective
3.0
Studio Electives  
3cr studio elective:
3.0
3cr studio elective
3.0
Critical Studies: Senior  
WRTG400: Senior Writing Seminar
3.0
ARTH318: AH Elect
3.0
ARTH318: AH Elect
3.0
HUMT340: Topic in Humanities
3.0
Students complete 15 credits each semester fourth year to complete degree requirements  
120 credits minimum required to complete degree  

News

La Mère Brazier: Phoebe Nelson Senior Exhibition 2025

Phoebe Nelson ’25 (Illustration) came to the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) to study children’s book illustration. Now at the end of her senior year, she is writing and illustrating a children’s book about Eugénie Brazier, the first person to get six Michelin stars, for her Senior Exhibition project.

MIAD Independent Inquiry Program launches with three student grants

Galilea Cerdea ’26, Tina Voith ’26 and Madi Weglarz ’25 are the first three Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students selected to receive Independent Inquiry Program stipends to investigate new technologies and their applicability to art and design education. As first-time applicants, each receives a stipend of $1,200 for a six-week Mini Inquiry this summer.

Grilled Cheese grants propel MIAD seniors

Funds from the annual Grilled Cheese Grant helped Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) awardees Siren Harris, Yo Yo collective and Madi Weglarz complete their 2025 Senior Exhibition projects and future work. All the MIAD awardees are Fine Art + New Studio Practice seniors.

Sebastian Penn: Senior Exhibition 2025

Sebastian Penn ’25 (Animation Track in Illustration), “From Home to Legacy: Black and Queer Bars in Milwaukee.” Sebastian is a President’s (Honor) List student from Holman, Wis.

McKenna Martin: Senior Exhibition 2025

McKenna Martin ’25 (Product Design), “Hyacinth.” McKenna received first place for her design for the 2023 Delta design project/competition at MIAD, is on the Dean’s List and is from Fond du Lac, Wis.