PROGRAM
POLICY STATEMENT FOR MS IN FASHION AND APPAREL STUDIES
Part I: Program History
In 2008, the
Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies at the
The
Master of Science in Fashion and Apparel Studies
is designed to prepare students
to be effective professionals in the global apparel industry. The growth and dominance of large
multinational apparel brands and retailers has created a need for professionals
who are globally oriented, innovative, have both apparel product design and
consumer behavior expertise along with an understanding of social
responsibility and sustainability, and strong communication skills. Graduates will be able to serve as
integrators who can create value for a firm by integrating knowledge
about consumer research, product design, product merchandising, product
sourcing, and product presentation.
The MS program is
unique in that all students complete design innovation and consumer
behavior courses to bring an understanding of both to solving problems in the
global fashion industry. Concepts and
practices from social responsibility and sustainability will underlie the
graduate program. Students take 32 credit hours of course work and
research. Fourteen credits
are taken in fashion and apparel studies courses in topics such as research
analysis in fashion studies, global fashion consumer, theory of design and
aesthetics, and interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. Six additional credits are taken in research
methods and statistics, six credits of special interest elective courses
from within or outside the department, and six credits support the
thesis research.
The graduate
certificate in Socially Responsible and Sustainable Apparel Business is
comprised of nine, one-credit courses that are offered through the Internet. Students select
three courses from labor and environmental specific topics and
select five courses from a group of social
responsibility/sustainability foundation courses.
All certificate students take one credit
of Special Problems as a capstone.Students select a Labor or Environment
track. A set of seven core courses are
taken by all students and two specialized courses are taken for each selected
track. If students wish, they may pursue
both tracks by taking all four specialized courses in addition to the seven
core courses.
The graduate
certificate provides a foundation of knowledge needed to manage international production and sourcing
of apparel, textiles, and footwear in ways that are socially responsible and
sustainable. The competencies and skills
embedded in the courses are based on research with industry leaders and
professionals who lead nongovernmental organizations and civil society groups
with a stake in the global apparel business.
The coursework is grounded on principles of the United Nations (UN)
Global Compact, a voluntary international initiative bringing together
companies, labor and civil society groups, and various UN agencies in support
of human rights, labor, and the environment.
UD’s Fashion and
Apparel Studies faculty are uniquely positioned to support the graduate
programs offered. Faculty produce high
quality empirical research and creative scholarship, winning awards in
international competition for designs and research, and having considerable
success in grantsmanship. The proposed
graduate programs build upon particular strengths of faculty research and
scholarship which center around consumer behavior, design, visual style, and
social responsibility and sustainability. The faculty is committed to a graduate program
that creatively blends empirical research and creative scholarship.
Part II.
Admission to MS degree
A. Admission requirements. Applicants for admission meet the following
requirements:
1. A cumulative grade-point average (GPA)
equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all prior undergraduate
college-level course work.
2. A GRE (Graduate Record Exam) score (taken
within past 5 years), with a minimum combined verbal and quantitative score of
1050 and no less than 550 on the verbal GRE.
3. Students whose first language is not English
must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) unless a prior
degree was obtained from the
4. An interview with member(s) of the Fashion
and Apparel Studies graduate faculty may be required.
B. Prior degree requirements. Applicants must have an earned
baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
C. Application deadlines. Review of applicants begins on February 1.
Some funded assistantships are available; applications received by February 1
will be considered for funding.
D. Special competencies needed. Candidates for admission need not have
majored in fashion related areas previously, but they will be expected to
possess:
1. Strong
written and oral communication skills
2. An
understanding of computer systems and basic word processing and spreadsheet
applications
3. Knowledge of consumer behavior or social
psychological aspects of clothing
4. Knowledge of the global fashion industry
5.
Understanding of design and aesthetic concepts
6.
Applicants interested in a creative design focus should have had a minimum of
one patternmaking course
These
competencies will be evaluated by the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate
Committee and may be satisfied through coursework, evaluation of transcripts, a
writing sample, or in some cases relevant industry experience. These evaluations will be communicated to
prospective students by letter when they are accepted into the program.
1. Regular
status – This is
offered to students who meet all admission requirements of the university and
of the Fashion and Apparel Studies department.
2. Provisional status –
This is offered to students who are seeking admission to a degree program but
lack specific subject matter prerequisites (see Special competencies above) needed in the Fashion
and Apparel Studies department. If an applicant does not have the special
competencies listed in the previous section D, he/she may be admitted
provisionally. Students admitted with
provisional status will receive a letter specifying the courses in which they
will need to receive the appropriate background necessary for the MS program. All provisional requirements must be met
within 2 semesters for regular status to be granted. Grades of B or better must be achieved on all
prerequisite provisional department courses. In order to continue to progress toward degree
any student who fails to receive B or better on provisional courses must repeat
the course and receive a B. In addition,
having to repeat a provisional course is considered in the review for
satisfactory progress to degree [See page 7-8, Section III.C.1 (departmental
review procedures for evaluating normal progress and evaluation of performance
of master’s students)]. Students
admitted with provisional status to a degree program are generally not eligible
for assistantships or fellowships.
3. Non-degree
Status - This is
offered to (a) students who are unable to achieve
regular status because of enrollment limits in the Fashion and Apparel Studies
department or (b) students wishing to earn graduate credit but do not intend to
work for a degree. Non-degree students
are not required to follow course sequences, but they are held to the same
performance standards as other graduate students. Admission with non-degree status is valid for
a stated limited time and implies no commitment by the university or the
department about later admission with regular status. If a student desires to change from non-degree
status, the student must be recommended for a change of status by the Fashion
and Apparel Studies department and seek approval from the Office of Graduate
Studies. Earned graduate credit may or
may not be accepted if the student’s status is changed. In general, graduate credit must fit into an
approved program of study and all credits must have been completed within the
appropriate time limit. Upon the
recommendation of the student's advisor, no more than 9 credit hours of
graduate non-degree credit may be transferred to the graduate degree program.
Non-degree
admission is also offered to students who wish to transfer graduate credits to
another institution. In such cases,
students must submit a letter from their graduate dean or registrar certifying
that they are graduate students in good standing at another institution. Letters will be accepted in lieu of the
transcripts and GRE scores which are required of all other applicants.
F. Other documents required.
Candidates for admission must submit
3 letters of recommendation and a personal statement describing interests,
intellectual goals, and how this program would meet their goals and objectives.
A resume and a writing sample (research
paper from a senior level course) are required. Portfolios may be required.
G.
Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not
guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements
necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.
Part III. Academic
A.
Degree Requirements
1. Course Requirements for
Master of Science in Fashion and Apparel Studies
Master’s students are required to take the following courses:
Social Responsibility and Sustainability Core: 3
Select three courses from:
Research Methods (IFST 615,
Special Interest Electives (600 or 800 level) 6
32
The master’s requires a minimum of 32 hours of graduate coursework,
including 6 hours of thesis, 6 semester hours of research methods and
statistics, 14 required hours of departmental courses, and 6 hours
of special interest electives.
The master’s program prepares students to be “integrators”
in industry, professionals who can create value by integrating knowledge
about consumer research, product design, product merchandising, product
sourcing, and product presentation. All
students will complete design innovation and consumer behavior courses to bring
an understanding of both to solving problems in the global fashion industry. The program has a strong emphasis on
understanding design, theory, and research as it relates to fashion phenomena. Concepts and practices from social
responsibility and sustainability will underlie the graduate program.
The selection of major courses (beyond the required core courses) is
done in consultation with the student’s advisor and is based on
research/specialization area and stated goals. Students without a previous
degree in the field may be required to complete additional undergraduate or
graduate level courses.
2. Non-Registered Requirements
Registration and Residency Requirements
Graduate students must maintain continuous enrollment each fall and
spring semester to be eligible to continue in the Fashion Studies program. Continuous enrollment must be
through course work, sustaining credit for candidates completing thesis work,
or an approved leave of absence.
Seminar
All students must register for
Language requirement
There is no formal foreign language requirement in the Fashion and
Apparel Studies graduate program. The need for proficiency in
another language for a student’s research will be determined by the advisory
committee.
3.
Petitions for variance in degree requirements
Time limits for completing
degree requirements
Typically, the master’s program can be completed in two years. The university allows ten
semesters from the date of matriculation for completion of the master’s degree
for students entering the doctoral program with an earned master’s degree. Graduate course credits expire
five years after the course has been completed. Extension of this time limit may
be granted for circumstances beyond a student’s control and must be approved by
the student’s academic advisor and the department chair.
4. Grade minimums
Students must maintain a 3.0 average on courses within their major field
of study. Further,
as per university policy, a student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on
a 4.0 scale) each semester to be considered in good standing. Credit hours and courses for
which the grade is below a B- do not count toward the degree, however the grade
is applied to the index. In order to continue to progress toward degree
any student who fails to receive B or better on courses in their major field of
study must repeat the course and receive a B. In addition, having to repeat a course is
considered in the review for satisfactory progress to degree [See page 7-8,
Section III.C.1 (departmental review procedures for evaluating normal progress
and evaluation of performance of master’s students)].
5. Courses which may not be
used toward the degree
No more than 3 credits of independent study (
A maximum of 9 graduate credits may be
applied toward the graduate degree through Continuing Education non-degree
classification with approval of the department chair and the student’s advisor.
Graduate credit earned at another institution will be evaluated at the
student’s request. A
maximum of 9 credits required for the degree will be accepted provided the
course meets university requirements for transfer approval. Graduate courses for transfer
credit must have a B or better.
6. Facility of Expression in
English
Candidates for the degree must have acquired the ability to express
themselves clearly in English, both orally and in writing. The major department has the
responsibility of determining whether candidates have met this requirement.
B. COMMITTEES
FOR MASTER’S EXAMS AND THESES
1. ADVISEMENT
For the first semester of graduate
study, the department’s director of graduate studies serves as the student’s
temporary advisor. Students
should seek opportunities to meet all faculty members in the department to
discuss their areas of study during the first semester. Master’s students must decide
whom they would like as their advisor by the beginning of the second semester. To request an advisor, students
will write a statement of research interests and indicate with whom they want
to work and will submit this to the graduate studies director. The department will try to
accommodate each student’s interests/requests. However, faculty availability
will be considered for the number of students who need advisement.
2. SELECTION OF MASTER'S THESIS COMMITTEES
The thesis committee consists of one faculty
advisor and two other faculty members.
Two faculty members including the student’s advisor who will serve as
committee chairperson should be from the Fashion and Apparel Studies
department. By
the beginning of the second semester, the student will write a statement of
research interests and indicate who in addition to his or her advisor would be
appropriate members of the thesis committee. With the approval of the advisor,
it is the student’s responsibility to discuss the topic with potential
committee members and gain their agreement to serve as committee members.
3. REQUIREMENT FOR CO
Master’s students have no official comprehensive exam such as a
qualifying exam. However,
master’s students will write, present, and be examined over a
research/scholarship proposal. In addition, they will be examined over their
theses and program of study at the thesis defense (See Part III.C.3).
RESEARCH/SCHOLARSHIP PROPOSAL
Before or during their third semester in the program, master’s students
must submit a written proposal for research/scholarship. The proposal will be presented at
a meeting of the student’s graduate committee and must be approved by the
graduate committee. This
proposal should include a detailed review of pertinent literature,
justification for the scholarly activity, methods and procedures to be used,
and a timetable for completion. The proposal will be reviewed and
refined as necessary, based on the committee’s input. If major emphasis is shifted
during the course of the research/scholarship, the proposal should be amended
with the advice and consent of the committee.
4. POLICIES FOR DATES OF
EXAMINATIONS
Since thesis defenses typically occur at the end of a course of study, a
convenient time to hold them might be in the summer. However, holding exams during the
summer may be difficult because faculty on nine-month contracts or on
Sabbatical may not be available during the summer. Therefore, the student needs to plan
with the graduate committee well in advance to negotiate appropriate scheduling
of the defense.
5. HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH
GUIDELINES
University policy and federal law
(45
As defined by federal law, there
are three levels of appropriate review: exemption from full board review,
expedited review, and full board review. The level depends on who the
subjects will be and how much risk they will experience. For information on how to decide
which type of review may be required, see the section on protocol review and
approval procedures available in http://www.udel.edu/research/preparing/protocolreview.html
University investigators planning
research projects involving the use of human subjects are required to (1) make
available to the Review Board the plans for anticipated research before
beginning the projects and in sufficient time to allow the board to take
action; (2) make clearly evident in the written research plan or through any
further information that may be needed precisely how the rights and welfare of
the research subjects are to be protected, how informed consent of human
subjects is to be obtained, and whether written consent forms are to be used;
and (3) during the course of the project make known to the committee any
changes in protocol or any emerging problems of investigation that may
significantly alter the original concept; (4) report to the Review Board any
instances of injuries or unexpected problems involving risks to subjects or
others; and (5) carry out the continuing responsibilities delineated in Section
E.6, "Responsibilities of the Research Investigator."
Students should submit the
application for human subjects review to the chair for human subjects in the
CHEP who serves as a member of UD’s IRB prior to conducting research and must
obtain the approval before collecting data.
6. APPROVAL OF THESES
THE MASTER'S THESIS
The master’s thesis must reflect the ability to conduct scholarly work and to
report the results in a manner worthy of publication. The following items are to be
submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies: (a) Three original sets of the
signature pages showing approval of the thesis; (b) Three copies of the
abstract; (c) The thesis as a PDF file. The thesis must be approved by
(a) the chair of the committee in charge of the candidate’s degree program or
the advisor, (b) the chair of the department of major concentration or the
chair of the committee in charge of an area of study, (c) the Dean of the
College, and (d) the Provost.
7. DEPARTMENTAL AND STUDENT
OBLIGATIONS FOR DETERMINING COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND CHANGES IN COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Although it is not desirable to
change faculty advisors, students may feel that it is best to work with another
faculty member advisor due to unusual circumstances. In that case, the students can petition the
graduate studies director in writing of the desire to change advisor at any
time before initiating the thesis or dissertation proposal. The graduate studies committee
will consider the petition and make a decision.
C. TIMETABLE AND DEFINITION OF SATISFACTORY
PROGRESS TOWARDS THE MASTER’S DEGREE
1. Academic load (full & part-time)
expectations. Fashion and Apparel Studies
students are encouraged to enroll in 9-12 credit hours each semester to make
timely progress toward degree. Those enrolled for fewer than 9
credit hours are considered part-time students. Generally, a maximum load is 12
graduate credit hours; however, additional credit hours may be taken with the
approval of the student’s adviser and the Office of Graduate Studies. A maximum course load in either
summer or winter session is 7 credit hours. Permission must be obtained from
the Office of Graduate Studies to carry an overload in any session.
Normal progress toward the master’s degree includes
adherence to the timelines indicated in the Fashion and Apparel Studies
graduate handbook as well as achievement of grades of B or better in Fashion
and Apparel Studies courses. Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate students must
maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.
Define departmental review
procedures for evaluating normal progress and evaluation of performance of
master’s students. At the end of each year of study, master’s students will be evaluated
for satisfactory progress in the program. The Fashion and Apparel Studies
Graduate Studies Committee will conduct the review, and in addition, may seek
oral or written appraisal of the student from professors the student has had
outside the department. The
purpose of these annual evaluations is (a) To assess the student’s potential
for continuing toward successful completion of the MS, (b) To identify any
areas of concern which warrant special attention, such as the ability to
perform satisfactorily or the timely progress in the program, (c) To make any
recommendations which would address such concerns, (d) To make a recommendation
to the student regarding continuation in the program.
Review of student’s progress
will consist of consideration of the following characteristics that are related
to successful completion of the MS: (a) The student exhibits ability to do
independent work, (b) The student does not have a pattern of incompletes, (c)
The student has achieved B grades or better in the courses from the program of
study including the provisional courses, (d) The student exhibits
self-motivation and discipline, (e) The student exhibits the talent necessary
for graduate study and research, (f) The student demonstrates professional
responsibility, (g) The student exhibits creativity in thought processes, (h)
There is continued congruence between student’s and faculty research interests,
(i) The student follows professional and personal ethical principles, (j) The
student follows handbook rules regarding suggested timeline and completes these
steps in a timely manner.
A recommendation will be made to the student
in a letter. Copies
of the recommendation letter will also be placed in the student’s permanent
records with the director of graduate studies, with the student, and with the
student’s advisor. The
outcomes of the recommendations are: (a) Student should continue
unconditionally in the program, (b) Student should continue in the program
pending successful completion of specific recommendations that may include
coursework or other strategies necessary to strengthen areas of weakness, (c)
Student will be recommended to the Office of Graduate Studies for dismissal
from the program. Students remaining in the
program, but with recommendations to strengthen areas of weakness, will receive
a recommendation letter with a timeline for process and correction. Such students will be reviewed at
the end of each semester to assess continued progress. Students who fail to make
progress for two consecutive semesters will be recommended for dismissal from
the program.
2. Grade requirements (general and specific). Include any special departmental
expectations such as minimum grades in specific courses, limits on special
problem courses, etc.
Students
must achieve grades of B or better in Fashion and Apparel Studies courses. Fashion and Apparel Studies
graduate students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA. All graduate-numbered courses
taken with graduate student classification at the
3. Thesis progress timetable guidelines.
Maintenance
of steady, reasonable progress toward the master’s degree is the responsibility
of the student and the advisor. Regular
meetings with the graduate committee members to discuss progress are strongly
encouraged. Each student is responsible for
monitoring his or her progress. At the
end of each year of study, master’s students will be evaluated for satisfactory
progress in the program. The
Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee will conduct the review.
Results
of the review and the committee’s recommendation will be made available to the
student. Copies
of the recommendation will also be placed in the student’s permanent records
with the director of graduate studies and with the student’s advisor. Deficiencies in progress will be
communicated in writing by the advisor to the student and to the Office of
Graduate Studies. In the case of deficiencies in progress, the
recommendation letter will contain a timeline and information about the process
for correction.
Before or during their third semester in the program, students must submit to
their committee for review and approval, a written research proposal describing
the intended thesis research and a timetable for completion. Students are required to present their
proposal in
4. Thesis defense guidelines.
The thesis should reflect the student's
ability to conduct independent scholarship and to present the results in a
formal manner. It must conform to the university's Thesis
and Dissertation Guidelines (available on the university web site) as to
format and other mechanics. Students
may write the thesis in a style suitable for a manuscript(s) ready for
submission to a journal in consultation with their advisor. The student may register for
Master's Thesis (
The Thesis Defense is conducted by the student's graduate committee. Decisions concerning passage of the defense
and recommendations stemming from it are decided by the committee based on a
simple majority vote. If
the first attempt results in failure, the second examination cannot be taken
earlier than 90 days nor later than 365 days following the first examination. The defense shall be announced by
the student's advisor at least one week in advance by memorandum to department
faculty. The
student must provide each graduate committee member with a refined (but not
final) draft of the thesis at least two weeks before the thesis defense. The date of the thesis defense
should precede the University deadline for thesis submission by at least two
weeks to allow sufficient time for any necessary changes. The Thesis Defense is open to all
5. Forms required.
The Application for Advanced Degree is available at www.udel.edu/gradoffice/current/advanceddegree.pdf
and due dates are approximately three months prior to degree conferral.
The Change of Classification Form for Graduate Students is the form used
to request a change in a graduate student’s academic classification when the
change occurs within the same program or department. This form is available at is
available at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/gradindex.html#f
6. Identify consequence for
failure to make satisfactory progress. Protocol
for grievance procedure if student has been recommended for termination for
failure to make satisfactory progress.
A student who does not maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree or
who does not fulfill other graduate program requirements, including those
regarding professional standards and misconduct, may be denied further
registration in that program by the Office of Graduate Studies on the
recommendation of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee. If, in the professional judgment
of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee, a student has
failed to make satisfactory progress toward meeting the academic standards of
the program in which that student is enrolled, the committee may vote to
dismiss that student from the program. In the case of dismissal, the director of
graduate studies is required to send a report to the Office of Graduate Studies
that states the Graduate Studies Committee vote on the decision causing
dismissal and the justification for the action. The Office of Graduate Studies
will notify a student in writing when the student is being dismissed for
failure to make satisfactory progress in the program. In the case of academic dismissal, the student
may appeal the termination by writing to the Office of Graduate Studies. This appeal must be made within
ten class days from the date on which the student has been notified of academic
dismissal. If the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
grants reinstatement, the student must meet the conditions of the
reinstatement. Failure
to meet these conditions will result in dismissal from the program. A graduate student may be
reinstated only once to a given major. The student’s academic transcript
will reflect the reinstatement with academic probation status.
PART
IV. FINA
A. FINANCIAL
AWARDS
1. Types of awards, policies for granting
awards, summer appointments, and years of support. The Department Chair is responsible for appointing graduate teaching
assistants and graduate research assistants within the department, based on
recommendations of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee.
The following criteria are generally considered in assessing applicants
for assistantship appointments: (1)
performance in all previous undergraduate and graduate course work; (2) letters
of recommendation from the advisor and other persons in positions to assess
academic and professional potential; (3) experience in research (including
publications), teaching and/or non-University employment; (4) professional
interests; (5) specific grant-related and teaching program personnel needs of
the department; (6) length of availability for service; (7) evaluation of
previous assistantship performance; and (8) competence in oral communication.
Typically appointments will be made for 9 months. Occasionally, 12-month
appointments may be available associated with specific faculty grants.
The typical maximum length of appointment is two regular 9-month
appointments for Master’s students.
2. Responsibilities
of students on contract. A graduate
assistant is a student currently enrolled full-time (nine hours or more of
graduate credit) in graduate courses who also holds an appointment calling for
the performance of such responsibilities as research, research assistance,
classroom instruction, and such duties. A student’s appointment as a
graduate assistant should serve both educational and financial needs, as well
as the department’s research and teaching objectives.
Graduate assistants are an integral part of the department, even though
their tenure is temporary in nature. The department considers graduate
assistants, their education, and their professional output as essential
ingredients in the determination of the department’s progress. The faculty and graduate
assistants need to engage in frequent informal interaction as a means of
professional development. This
interaction includes regular meetings to discuss the progress, concerns, or any
other matter related to carrying out the graduate assistantship assignment.
An average of 20 hours of service per week from September 1 through May
31 (including Winter Session) is required of graduate assistants.
3. Evaluation of students on contract.
Graduate assistants will be considered for reappointment based on (1)
application, (2) satisfactory work performance and academic record (must not be
on academic probation when the appointment becomes effective), and (3)
availability of funds. Where
funds are the constrained, graduate assistants with degree programs in progress
will receive priority consideration over new applicants. Reappointment as a graduate
assistant is dependent upon a student making satisfactory progress both in
classes and in the performance of previous assistantship work.
Current graduate assistants and other graduate students interested in
assistantships should notify the Fashion and Apparel Studies Department Chair
and the Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate studies director of their interest
by February 28th for appointments to begin the following August. Failure of a current graduate assistant to
follow this procedure will be assumed to mean that the assistant does not
desire continuation of appointment beyond the period of current employment.
In order to facilitate progress toward a graduate assistant's academic
goals and to enable the graduate assistant to become an increasingly effective
member of the academic community, the supervising faculty member and the
graduate assistant should engage in systematic evaluation of the graduate
assistant's performance. Frequent
informal interaction between the faculty member and the graduate assistant is
encouraged as a highly effective means of professional development and
performance appraisal. Faculty
are strongly encouraged to conduct informal reviews with graduate assistants on
a semester basis, including a review of the graduate assistant’s achievements,
as well as concerns, plans and goals for the future. The reviews should be conducted
in the spirit of improving performance and professional competence.
Formal review of all graduate assistants will be conducted annually
during Spring semester by the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies
Committee. Completed
reviews will be submitted to the Department Chair and may provide input to
reappointment decisions.