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Fashion Business

Fashion Business

Program Code: FAB Campus: Newnham
Duration: 4 Semesters (2 Years) Start Dates: Fall
Start dates are subject to change
Credential Awarded: Ontario College Diploma

Program Description

This program takes a multi-dimensional approach to educating students for careers in the fashion retail industry by combining studies in business fundamentals with fashion theory. Curriculum is delivered from both a theoretical and practical perspective depending on subject content. This combination gives students the necessary breadth and depth of knowledge to gain immediate employment upon graduation and to achieve advancement and career success. Students gain real store management experience at the program’s on-campus clothing store in their second year of the program.

Beyond classroom laboratory work, lectures and guest speakers, students learn “in the field” by way of field trips, volunteering at industry events, and by completing a required Work Study component of the program. Work Study helps students acquire valuable exposure to sales and promotion, and/or buying office activities, and is an ideal opportunity to network and refine career goals.

Admission Requirements

Program Eligibility:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a majority of senior credits at the College Preparation (C), University Preparation (U) or University/College Preparation (M) level or Mature Student Status (age 19 or older)
  • Grade 12 English: ENG4(C) or ENG4(U)
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (C)

Applicant Selection:

  • In the event of oversubscription, a skills test and questionnaire may be completed by all applicants, normally during a College orientation session. The results of the test, in combination with academic achievement (i.e. grades in pre-requisite subjects or their equivalents), will provide the basis upon which selection of applicants is determined.

Desirable:

  • Grade 12 Mathematics • Although not required for admission, business, computer and fashion studies, would be an asset. Work experience in the field is also beneficial.

Your Career

Graduates find challenging careers in the fashion retail industry commensurate with their educational achievement, aptitudes and personality. They thrive in buying, merchandise allocation, import/export, store operations, logistics, merchandising roles and as sales representatives and entrepreneurs.

Affiliations and Associations

  • Apparel Affinity Group
  • Costume Society of Ontario
  • Fashion Group International
  • Retail Council of Canada
  • Textile Society of Canada

General Education

One of the general education subjects must be a literature subject (from any category) for which EAC150 is a pre-requisite.

Diploma to Degree... and Beyond

Through transfer agreements and institution partnerships, graduates of this Seneca College program may be eligible for credit at the following universities and colleges:

Toronto

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Ryerson University• Bachelor of Commerce, Retail Management

Canada

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Athabasca University• Bachelor of Professional Arts in Communication Studies

U.S.

University/CollegeDegrees Available
Centenary College• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

Curriculum

Semester 1 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
EAC150 College English 3
FPF150 Psychology of Fashion 3
FTX252 Fabric Fundamentals I 3
ICA001 Introduction to Computers and Applications 2
RBC151 Business Communications I 2
RRM153 Retail Marketing 4
 
Semester 2 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FSH200 Evolution of Fashion 3
FTX352 Fabric Fundamentals II 4
RBC251 Business Communications II 3
RCS254 Customer Service Fundamentals 4
REM253 Retail Mathematics 4
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
  Work Study *
 
Semester 3 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
AGE360 Apparel and the Global Economy 4
RFB353 Fashion Buying 4
RHR355 Human Relations Management 4
RSO354 Retail Store Operations 4
RVS351 Visual Merchandising and Space Planning 3
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
  Work Study *
 
Semester 4 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
FPD453 Product Development 3
REC553 Economics 3
REF455 Entrepreneurship and Financial Management 3
ROM454 Retail Organizational Management 5
XXXXXX General Education Option 3
WST400 Work Study *

* WORK STUDY (WST400): Students are required to work a total of 150 hours in the field in order to gain exposure to key functions in the fashion retail industry. They may begin accumulating these hours once semester one has been completed.

Contact Us

For more information, please visit our website at: www.senecac.on.ca/fashion.
Program Coordinator: Judy Cameron
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2172
Email: judy.cameron@senecac.on.ca
Program Chair: Gitte Hansen
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2160
Email: Gitte.Hansen@senecac.on.ca
Admissions Advisor: Maureen Massicot
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2014
Email: maureen.massicot@senecac.on.ca
Registration & Records Contact: Laurie Johnson
Telephone: (416) 491-5050 Ext. 2471
Email: laurie.johnson@senecac.on.ca

Testimonials

“The program offers a great mix of practical and theoretical subjects. Smaller class sizes allowed for a more personal relationship between students and faculty. The professors were industry professionals who used real industry examples in the classroom. They gave us a realistic view of the types of employment we could get after graduation.”

Marlise
Buyer, George, UK (division of Wal-Mart Inc)
Graduate, Fashion Merchandising/Retail Management Program

“The program itself is realistic; what you learn is the ‘real deal’. The professors bring passion to the classroom which makes you want to try things for yourself. The professors explain things, give deadlines, follow up with you and give you feedback just as an employer would. Their belief in you makes you really believe in yourself and feel that anything is possible if you just go for it.”

Carla
Manager, The Gap, Ottawa
Graduate, Fashion Merchandising/Retail Management Program

Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology