Online Bachelor of Arts in Fashion – Apparel Product Development
Learn to transform creative visions into market-ready products with this online Bachelor of Arts in fashion with a concentration in apparel product development from Arizona State University. This program equips you to thrive in the fast-paced industry by blending fashion, technology and business strategy. Upon graduation, you’ll be equipped to deliver apparel to market while meeting the needs of consumers and organizations.
Quick facts
Next start date: 08/21/2025
Total classes: 42
Weeks per class: 7.5
Total credit hours: 120
Transform design concepts into market-ready products
This program teaches you how to bring creative ideas to life by guiding apparel through the product lifecycle. You’ll learn to coordinate designers, merchandisers and manufacturers to turn concepts into viable products, ensuring they meet industry standards and consumer demands.
Gaining product development expertise can jumpstart your fashion career and open doors for growth. Exposure to the entire development process can further help you build industry connections and expand your skill set.
The knowledge and skills you’ll develop
Courses explore how to evaluate design choices for production feasibility, proper garment fit and suitability for mass production. You’ll develop an understanding of material sourcing and costing, as well as how to collaborate with merchandisers to position products for retail success.
The curriculum incorporates technology designed to enhance accuracy and efficiency in product development. You’ll use Optitex to develop patterns and analyze fit through 3D prototypes and Adobe Illustrator to create digital 2D technical drawings. Practical assignments also offer opportunities to gain proficiency in CAD, product lifecycle management systems and CLO 3D. Through this software and applied coursework, you’ll be able to:
Will my diploma say ‘online’?
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Fashion and apparel product development courses
This concentration emphasizes apparel development topics including concept creation, line architecture, material selection, technical specifications and garment construction. You’ll also explore graphic and print development, creative digital literacy, textile science and more. An internship with a minimum of three credit hours provides hands-on experience in a professional setting. The program concludes with two senior capstone courses and two portfolio development courses to solidify your preparation for a career in the fashion industry.
The apparel product development jobs you’ll be prepared for
Upon graduation, you can pursue entry-level roles as a product development coordinator, specialist or assistant with any fashion company. Your understanding of how different areas of the industry work together can lead to career progression in product design, technical design, product line management, sourcing and merchandising. Specific career paths include, but aren’t limited to:
Buyer
Fabric and Apparel Designer
Fashion Designer
Marketing Manager
Merchandiser
Product Marketing and Promotions Manager
Technical Director
Learn from faculty at the forefront of apparel product development
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Research conducted by our faculty is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy
- Community engagement and public policy
- Creative health collaborations
- Design, arts, science and engineering
- The study of creative work
Learn from faculty at the forefront of apparel product development
The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is home to world-class scholars, artists and designers who inspire students to shape the future. Research conducted by our faculty is grounded in the transformative power of art and its ability to change the world. Research areas include:
- Arts and design for social justice
- Arts, education and arts-integrated education
- Arts, entrepreneurship and cultural policy
- Community engagement and public policy
- Creative health collaborations
- Design, arts, science and engineering
- The study of creative work
How to apply
first-year student
You’re considered a first-year student for application purposes if you’ve never attended college or have fewer than 12 transferable credit hours.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
Don't meet admission requirements?
You can still gain general admission to most online programs at ASU through Earned Admission. Through this pathway, you can demonstrate your ability to succeed at ASU by completing online courses with a 2.75 GPA or higher.
To begin, submit an application to ASU. An enrollment coach will reach out with more information if Earned Admission is right for you.
*Some programs may have higher admission requirements. You must meet all program requirements to be admitted.
The nation’s largest comprehensive design and arts school
ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is the home to top-ranked programs from a variety of disciplines ranging from the arts, media and engineering to film, dance and theater. We train artists and designers to leverage their creativity and problem-solving abilities to advance culture, build community and transform society.
8,000+
students
650+
internationally recognized faculty members
130 programs
in arts, media and engineering, design, dance and theater, film and music
Top 15
best graduate schools for fine arts, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2020
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
Tuition calculator
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs. Learn more.
