Which Colleges Have Fashion Degree Programs in the Seattle, WA Area?

Education Info for Fashion Designers in Seattle, WA

While you don't have to have a formal education to work as a fashion designer, a postsecondary degree can help you gain a technical understanding of the industry. An associate's or bachelor's degree in fashion design, fashion merchandising or a closely related field could prove useful. Employers may look for applicants with a well-developed portfolio.

Job Outlook and Salary Info for Fashion Designers in Seattle, WA

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the fashion design profession as a whole is expected to see little to no change in the overall number employed between 2010 and 2020; just 16,000 people were employed as fashion designers across the country as of 2011. A dramatic decline (-58%) is expected in the number of fashion designers in the apparel manufacturing sector, but that's largely offset by a growth of 40% for designers in specialized design services and an increase of 14% in the spectator sports/performing arts sector. The BLS notes that there are more applicants than there are jobs for fashion designers. In May of 2011, the BLS reported that the 290 fashion designers employed in the Seattle - Tacoma - Bellevue area of Washington earned approximately $65,000 a year.

Fashion Merchandising Certificate Programs in Seattle, WA

Edmonds Community College

• Program Name: Fashion/Retail Merchandising Certificate
• Program Length: At least 35 quarter credits
• Tuition: $106 per quarter credit for in-state students; $278 per quarter credit for out-of-state students (as of 2012-2013); credit hours above 10 credits per quarter cost less
• School Type: 2-year, public; nearly 10,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 20000 68th Avenue W., Lynnwood, WA 98036
• Phone:(425) 640-1459

The certificate program at Edmonds Community College could prepare you for entry-level employment. If you wish, you may take classes online as well as on-campus. Examples of program courses include retail management, e-marketing, fashion design and human relations. The program also includes an internship and development seminar.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

• Program Name: Fashion Merchandising Certificate
• Program Length: 53-55 quarter credits
• Tuition: $115 per credit hour for in-state students, $128 per credit hour for out-of-state students (as of 2012-2013); credit hours above 10 credits per quarter cost less
• School Type: 2-year, public; around 7,500 students (all undergraduates)
• Address: 9401 Farwest Dr. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498
• Phone: (253) 964-6500

The certificate program at Pierce College was designed so that you can earn your certificate, gain a job and attain an associate's or bachelor's degree if you desire. You'll study consumer buying behavior, business strategies, trade deficits and fashion information resources. Possible career options after completing the program include marketing assistant, window dresser and retail merchandiser.

Shoreline Community College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Fashion Merchandising
• Program Length: 30 quarter credits (6 courses)
• Tuition: $150 per credit for in-state students; $238 per credit for out-of-state students (as of 2012-2013); credit hours above 10 credits per quarter cost less
• Prerequisites: Placement into composition, communications, business mathematics and pre-algebra courses
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,000 students (all undergraduates)
• Address: 16101 Greenwood Ave. N, Shoreline, WA 98133
• Phone: (206) 546-4101

You'll study business math, retail marketing and fashion history while enrolled in Shoreline's certificate program. Other topics of study include merchandising trends, creating buying plans and fashion production. The school also offers a Certificate of Proficiency, which takes 45 credits to complete. It is designed for students who want a longer program covering additional topics such as retail buying and management, professional selling, and how to be a supervisor.

Fashion Design and Merchandising Associate's Degree Programs in Seattle, WA

Seattle Central Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Apparel Design
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: Almost $107 per quarter credit for in-state students; approximately $279 per quarter credit hour for out-of-state students (as of 2012-2013); credit hours above 10 credits per quarter cost less
• Admission Requirements: Applicants must show intermediate sewing skills and computer competency
• School Type: 4-year, primarily associate's, public; around 7,000 students (all undergraduates)
• Address: 1701 Broadway Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122
• Phone: (206) 934-3830

After earning your degree from Seattle Central Community College, you may be ready for a career as a technical artist, pattern grader or an assistant designer. The program also includes several work experience courses in addition to resume and portfolio development courses. Other program highlights include apparel manufacturing, computer applications, business practices and fashion history.

Shoreline Community College

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences in Fashion Merchandising
• Program Length: Two years, full-time
• Tuition: $150 per credit for in-state students; $238 per credit for out-of-state students (as of 2012-2013); credit hours above 10 credits per quarter cost less
• Prerequisites: Placement into composition, communications, business mathematics and pre-algebra courses
• School Type: 2-year, public; approximately 6,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 16101 Greenwood Ave. N, Shoreline, WA 98133
• Phone: (206) 546-4101

You'll learn about retail marketing, supervision, entrepreneurship and professional selling while enrolled in a fashion merchandising associate's degree program at Shoreline Community College. Your instructors will also teach you about merchandising trends, how to display merchandise and how to run a business. Merchandise planner, marketing specialist and sales representative are a few of the possible careers available to you after attaining this degree.