Stephens College

Stephens College is based on Columbia, Missouri and provides a number of combination courses related to fashion design. Their theory is that by combining liberal arts education with modules from marketing, technical training, and creativity sectors, students will attain a better understanding of the overall industry in the long run.

Students have two options when it comes to degrees from Stephens College. These include:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
• Bachelor of Science Degree.

If you are looking at pursuing a career as in fashion design, merchandising, marketing, or advertising - we recommend that you investigate the former degree - Bachelor of Fine Arts. This is a more relevant program which covers modules with content specific to the fashion industry.

Career Possibilities through Stephens College

Graduates from Stephens College have a number of career possibilities on the cards. Recent students have been placed with international fashion organisations which operate in the following areas:

• Visual merchandising.
• Fashion show preparation.
• Special event planning.
• Apparel construction.

Because of Stephens College's reputable standing in the community, bonds and relationships have been formed between the university and local fashion organisations. This allows students to be immediately placed in employment following graduation from their course.

Furthermore, minor subjects in the bachelor of fine arts program provide further opportunities for customisation and specialisation - which have also helped to secure jobs for students.

Student Life at Stephens College

Each year, professionals from the fashion industry visit Stephens College to give one-off seminars to students enrolled in fashion design courses.

Additionally, it is a long-standing tradition of the university to take students on trips to international fashion capitals of the world - including Paris, New York, and so on. Whilst this incurs an additional cost on top of tuition fees, many students still choose to go based on the exponential level experience that they will gain from the trips.

If you're not 100% sure whether you want to be immediately placed in a fashion organisation following graduation, internships are available for students to accomplish and achieve high levels. In the past, concerns have been placed at organisations such as:

• Escada
• Marie Claire
• WWD
• Baby Phat

Whilst these are not international designer labels, they are certainly excellent organisations to get your foot in the door of the fashion industry.