Welcome to the Apparel Design & Merchandising Program at San Francisco State University! Our Bachelor of Science degrees are designed to ignite your passion for fashion and equip you with the skills needed to thrive in the dynamic world of apparel design and merchandising.
We offer two concentrations, one in Design and one in Merchandising, where students explore human behavior, social problems and environmental concerns, interpreting influences and outcomes for the globally interdependent fashion industry.
Why Choose Our Program?
- Innovative Curriculum: Our courses blend creativity with practical skills, covering everything from fashion illustration and textile science to retail management and sustainable practices.
- Industry Connections: Benefit from our strong ties with leading fashion brands and retailers, providing you with invaluable internship and networking opportunities. Explore our Industry Advisory Council.
- State-of-the-Art Facilities: Learn and create in our cutting-edge labs and studios, equipped with the latest technology and tools used in the fashion industry.
- Experienced Faculty: Our professors are industry experts and dedicated educators who bring real-world experience and insights into the classroom.
- Diverse Student Body: Our program attracts students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment that prepares you to succeed in a global industry.
- Vibrant Location: Study in the heart of San Francisco, a city renowned for its diverse fashion scene and innovative spirit.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our program are well-prepared for a variety of exciting careers, including fashion design, merchandising, product development, and fashion marketing. Our alumni have gone on to work for top companies and launch successful independent brands.
Join Us
Embark on a creative journey that will shape your future in fashion at one of the largest public fashion schools in California. Apply now to the Apparel Design & Merchandising Program at San Francisco State University and turn your passion into a profession!
See Our Students in Action
Highlights from our student runway show - creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation on display.
Meet our students and explore their creative works and projects.
What can I do with an Apparel Design & Merchandising degree?
Graduates of the Apparel Design & Merchandising program pursue careers across design, product development, merchandising, retail strategy, and digital commerce. Our program prepares students for both traditional roles and emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving fashion industry.
Apparel Design Careers
Graduates pursue creative, technical, and leadership roles such as:
- Assistant Apparel Designer / Apparel Designer
- Technical Designer
- Patternmaker (Traditional or Digital/3D)
- Product Developer
- Production Assistant / Production Manager
- Sourcing Manager
- Fabric Research & Development
- 3D / Digital Product Creator (Virtual Sampling & Visualization)
- Trend Forecaster or Concept Designer
- Costume Designer (Theatre, Film, Television)
- Stylist (Editorial, Commercial, Personal)
- Brand Founder / Small Business Owner
This pathway prepares students to move from concept to finished product across fashion, entertainment, and entrepreneurial sectors.
Apparel Merchandising Careers
Graduates pursue analytical, strategic, retail, and leadership roles such as:
- Merchandising or Buying Assistant
- Buyer / Merchant
- Merchandise Planner / Inventory Planner
- Production Assistant / Production Manager
- Product Developer
- Sourcing Manager
- E-Commerce Merchandiser
- Consumer Insights / Market Research Analyst
- Allocation or Demand Planner
- Visual Merchandiser
- Retail Operations Manager
- Brand Founder / Small Business Owner
This pathway prepares students to lead product strategy, analyze consumer demand, and drive growth across both physical and digital retail environments.
Where Our Graduates Work
Recent graduates have secured positions with leading brands and companies, including:
- Sample Coordinator, Levi Strauss & Co.
- Assistant Designer, Levi Strauss & Co.
- Associate Inventory Planner, Pottery Barn Kids
- Textile Design Coordinator, Serena & Lily
- Assistant Buyer, Ross Stores
- Inventory & Operations Associate, Veronica Beard
- Associate Merchant, Restoration Hardware
- Assistant Merchant, Sephora
- Styling Coordinator, Athleta
- Sample Coordinator, Old Navy
- Digital Marketing Specialist, Innersense Beauty
Our graduates build careers across apparel, retail, interiors, beauty, and adjacent industries.
Internships & Industry Experience
Students gain hands-on experience through internship opportunities across the San Francisco Bay Area, working with:
- Established global brands
- Emerging designers and startups
- E-commerce and digital-first companies
- Tech-enabled and AI-driven fashion businesses
Opportunities span small, medium, and large organizations, allowing students to explore different career paths and industry environments.
Career Preparation & Professional Development
Career readiness is integrated throughout the Apparel Design & Merchandising curriculum, with courses designed to build both creative and professional skills across the program.
In addition, students take focused career development courses such as:
- ADM 265 introduces students to industry professionals across a range of roles and sectors
- FCS 600 prepares students with resume development, portfolio creation, and interview skills
Students graduate with both creative and professional readiness for the workforce.
Industry Connections & Career Relevance
Our curriculum stays aligned with the evolving fashion industry through strong connections with industry professionals and organizations.
The program is guided by our Industry Advisory Council, comprised of leading voices across the San Francisco apparel and retail sectors. These professionals provide insight on current practices, emerging technologies, and workforce needs—helping ensure that what students learn in the classroom reflects what is happening in the industry.
Through guest speakers, industry-informed coursework, and ongoing collaboration, students gain exposure to real-world perspectives and career pathways.
Design Studios, Labs & Technology
Students in the Apparel Design & Merchandising program learn through hands-on experience in professional studios, labs, and creative spaces designed to reflect real-world industry environments.
Betcher Production Lab
The Betcher Production Lab is equipped as an apparel manufacturing space, allowing students to work with industry-standard equipment, including:
- Juki industrial straight stitch machines
- Industrial overlock (serger) machines
- Buttonhole and button machines
- Blind stitch machines
- Industrial pressing equipment
- Professional dress forms across a range of sizes and genders
This environment prepares students for careers in design, product development, and production by simulating industry workflows.
Textile Testing & Materials Lab
Students explore the science of textiles in a dedicated lab environment under the direction of Dr. Ivana Markova, author of Textile Fiber Microscopy: A Practical Approach.
The lab includes specialized equipment for fiber and fabric analysis, such as:
- Microscopy tools for fiber identification
- Fabric testing equipment (including abrasion and durability testing)
- Washing and care testing equipment
- Chemical analysis tools and ventilation systems
These resources support a deeper understanding of material performance, quality, and innovation in textiles.
Digital Design & Computer Lab
A 40-seat computer lab provides access to industry-relevant software and tools, including:
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Microsoft Office
- Browzwear 3D for digital garment design and visualization
- Large-format plotters for pattern and poster printing
Students develop both creative and technical skills used across design, merchandising, and product development.
Innovation & Maker Spaces
Across campus, students have access to additional fabrication and innovation resources, including:
- 3D printers
- Embroidery machines
- Sublimation printers and heat press equipment
- Laser cutters
These spaces support experimentation, prototyping, and creative exploration across disciplines.
Textile & Surface Design Studios
Students can explore textile creation and surface design through:
- Dye labs
- Weaving equipment
- Screen printing facilities
These spaces allow for hands-on experimentation with materials, color, and textile processes.
Additional Creative Resources
Students also benefit from:
- Additional industrial sewing spaces and equipment access through the university library
- Exhibit spaces across the department and campus
- A large event venue for runway presentations
- A museum collection where students can study historic textiles and dress
Students graduate with experience using both traditional techniques and emerging technologies, preparing them for careers across design, merchandising, product development, and beyond.
Study Abroad
Study abroad for a semester or year while earning SF State credit toward your major, minor, or general education requirements.
Students in Apparel Design & Merchandising have access to a wide range of global programs, allowing them to build international experience as part of their academic journey.
Affordable & Accessible
Studying abroad is often more accessible than students expect:
- Pay the same SF State tuition while abroad
- Use your financial aid toward your program
- Many locations offer a lower cost of living than San Francisco
This makes it possible to gain global experience while managing costs.
Global Opportunities
With programs in 36+ countries across 6 continents, students can explore fashion, culture, and global markets in diverse settings.
ADM continues to expand its study abroad partnerships, offering new opportunities each year.
Featured Program Locations
Students in Apparel Design & Merchandising have studied at institutions including:
- Chung-Ang University — Seoul, South Korea
- Incheon National University — Seoul, South Korea
- Korea University — Seoul, South Korea
- Meiji University — Tokyo, Japan
- National Chengchi University — Taipei, Taiwan
- Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti — Milan, Italy
- UniCollege — Florence, Turin, Milan, Mantua, Italy
- Reutlingen University — Reutlingen, Germany (textile and apparel design focus)
- Queensland University of Technology — Brisbane, Australia
Student Experience
See what studying abroad can look like for ADM students:
👉Watch a student experience in Antibes, France →
Start Exploring
Find your program and begin planning your experience:
Graduate Degrees & Certificates
Advance your skills, expand your career opportunities, and prepare for leadership in the fashion industry through graduate study and specialized certificates.
M.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences
Focus: Apparel Design & Merchandising (Launching Fall 2026)
The Master of Arts in Family & Consumer Sciences with a focus in Apparel Design & Merchandising is designed for students seeking advanced careers in the fashion industry, education, and related fields.
This program combines theory, research, and real-world application, preparing students to become leaders, innovators, and educators in a rapidly evolving global industry.
What You’ll Gain
- Advanced knowledge of fashion systems, trends, and industry challenges
- Leadership and professional development skills
- Internship-based, hands-on experience
- Opportunities to conduct research on current issues in fashion and consumer behavior
Students complete a culminating project focused on real-world problem solving, addressing current challenges and opportunities within the fashion industry.
Interdisciplinary & Flexible Study
The program takes a multidisciplinary approach, allowing students to shape their degree around their interests within:
- Apparel Design & Merchandising
- Interior Design
- Dietetics
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Students may also incorporate coursework from across the university to support their academic and professional goals.
Pathways After the Degree
Graduates are prepared for:
- Advanced roles in the fashion industry
- Leadership and management positions
- Teaching and educational careers
- Continued graduate study
👉 Apply for the MA in Family & Consumer Science (coming soon) →
Undergraduate Certificate
Multilingual International Business Certificate
Students can expand their global and professional skill set through the Multilingual International Business Certificate, which combines language study with business and cross-cultural competencies.
👉Learn more about the Multilingual International Business Certificate →
The B.S. in ADM-Design or ADM-Merchandising invites current students to submit a change of major request online by completing the following steps:
- Go to SF State’s home page and select the Login link to log into SF State Gateway/MySFSU.
- Log in with your SF State ID or E-mail and SF State Password.
- Your SF State Gateway home page displays. Click the Schedule / Classes link under the Student section and click to Student Center.
- The SF State Student Center displays. Under the other academics pull down section, select Change Major from the drop-down menu. Click the Go button.
- The Change of Major/Minor page appears.
- To proceed, click the Next button at page bottom.
- A new page displays your current major and click on the change of major button.
- Requested College - Click 38 CHSS.
- Requested Major – Click Either
- Apparel Des/Merch: Design - B.S.
- Apparel Des/Merch: Merch – B.S.
- Click Submit Button.
- You will receive a welcome email from our department with an email address of your new major advisor – Please note that you must check Gateway in order to access this email. Please send your advisor an email to set up a time to discuss your academic advising plan.
- After this meeting, you will be added to the ADM major.
- A confirmation of your request will be sent to your SF State email account.