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
MIAD professor, alum named 2026 Mary L. Nohl Fellows
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) Communication Design professor Laura Farahzad Mayer and alum Nomka Enkhee ’25 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) each received one of five Mary L. Nohl Fellowships for 2026. The recipients of emerging artist awards, Farahzad Mayer and Enkhee were selected from among 168 applicants.
MIAD Independent Inquiry Program: Building knowledge, confidence
From a Fine Art major to Illustration, Communication Design and Product Design – first-year student to senior – participants in the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s Independent Inquiry Program say they are building both knowledge and self-confidence.
Pallas Textiles winner reflects as 2026 competition to launch
MIAD senior Julianna Frixione ’26 (Product Design) says winning the 2025 Pallas Textiles Student Design Competition will mainly affect her remaining studies at MIAD by “pushing me to continue working hard at the path I’m on.”
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Lisa Floading
Lisa Floading, Coordinator of Tutoring Services, received the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) MIAD Values Recognition Award for November 2025. Lisa received nominations that highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Innovation and Community.
MIAD lands #1 Graphic Design school in Wisconsin 2025
In its 2025 rankings, Animation Career Review named the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) the #1 Graphic Design School in Wisconsin and #11 in the Midwest. The college’s Animation and Illustration programs also received top rankings.