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
Author and artist Faythe Levine presents MIAD Foremothers
Visiting author and artist Faythe Levine is motivated by reimagining archives and collections through a queer feminist lens. She presents “Queer Investigation & Storytelling in the Archive: MIAD Foremothers Charlotte Partridge and Miriam Frink,” based on her many-year research process for her fourth book, “As Ever, Miriam” (2024).
Florentine Opera partners with MIAD Lubar Innovation Center
The first project Taylor Leinstock ’26 (Illustration) did through the Lubar Innovation Center at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) will come to life as the Florentine Opera brings its touring production to schools and community centers around southeast Wisconsin in 2026.
MIAD Values Recognition Award: Arma Zeqiri
Arma Zeqiri, Lead Housekeeper, received the September 2025 MIAD Values Recognition Award at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). Arma’s nominations highlighted her embodiment of MIAD’s Core Values, especially Kindness and Community.
MIAD Design Internship supports career of first-year student
First-year Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) student Jonas Haggith ’29 found MIAD’s Design Internship program so beneficial as a high schooler he participated in it two years in a row.
Paris study abroad illuminates creative practice for students
Madison Boeder ’25 found that study abroad trips through the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) resonated so strongly with their practice that the Fine Art + New Studio Practice major (Art History minor) went on two: Florence in 2024 and, this year, Paris.