Fashion Journalism (MA)

The Master of Arts Program in Fashion Journalism equips students with subject-area expertise to help communicate the rising complexity of the global fashion industry. M.A. students develop both: a deep understanding of social media for journalism and a strong fashion industry grounding that enables them to ask more informed questions, to situate fashion news and business of fashion events into a larger context, and to evaluate fashion collections with a critical, well-informed eye. Students learn to produce cross-platform stories that are nuanced and sophisticated for social, digital, mobile and print media. The M.A. program is fueled by a deep intellectual understanding of fashion, ethics, and the ability to professionally utilize social media - skills that are required of the leading fashion journalists of tomorrow.

Master of Arts (MA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Fashion

COM 602

Visual Storytelling: Editing for Short-Form Video Content Major/3

Leverage AI to craft powerful stories across digital, brand, and broadcast news platforms. Gain skills in audio and video editing to create compelling content and build essential techniques to engage diverse audiences and drive impactful narratives in today’s media landscape.

FSH 617

Fundamentals of Fashion Journalism Major/3

Tell fantastic fashion stories. You will break down the best writing to examine how journalists skillfully craft voice, structure, angles, and fashion jargon together to tell a compelling story.

FSH 619

Developments and Current Debates in Fashion Journalism Major/3

Explore the role of fashion journalism in culture. In roundtable discussion led by student facilitators, you'll examine current media events and learn the industry's social challenges, scandals, and controversies.

FSH 626

Magazine Print and Digital Media Publishing Major/3

Learn the art of self-publication. You will conceptualize, design, produce, and publish a digital and print magazine. (This course is cross-listed with FSH 488.)

FSH 627

Fashion Research and Reporting Major/3

You will gain essential research and reporting skills to deliver in-depth fashion storytelling based on verified information, interviews, digital and social research techniques, and facts.

FSH 628

Mobile and Social Media Journalism Major/3

Report from where the action is. You will focus on the digital tools that empower today's journalists to produce real-time, interactive news stories. By end of the semester, you'll create an online writing portfolio using popular apps.

FSH 629

Fashion Styling Major/3

Styling is visual storytelling. You will develop concept drawings from cultural references and assemble compelling outfits to create fashion imagery. You will put the foundations of personal, product, and editorial styling into practice.

FSH 630

Fashion Business: Marketing Strategy Major/3

Marketing plays a critical role in any fashion organization. Learn how fashion companies successfully engage customers and competitors by establishing well-defined and strategic marketing approaches. You will gather, analyze, and synthesize research and data to create new opportunities in dynamic fast-changing markets.

FSH 700

Professional Practices and Portfolio for Fashion Major/3

Explore and prepare for your career in fashion. You will develop professional personal branding, job search materials, digital and physical portfolios, and prepare for job interviews.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Major Coursework	27
Directed Study	6
Electives	6
Graduate Liberal Arts	3
Total	42

MA FASHION JOURNALISM DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.
Minimum grade of C in all required 42 units.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirement:
1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course

Additional Information

Graduate Liberal Arts

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Visual Communication & Digital Tools

Apply basic design principles to creative work
Work effectively with industry-standard software

Verbal and Written Communication

Write compelling material for print, online, or broadcast media
Clearly convey ideas and concepts using specific fashion industry language
Effectively pitch ideas
Conduct effective interviews
Develop both a personal voice and the ability to adapt voice to fit a variety of print/online publications

Research & Concept Development

Conduct in-depth research to develop material for print, online, or broadcast media.
Demonstrate ability to undertake editorial “packages,’’ combining various journalistic features

Social Media & Blogging

Publish, share, and promote stories to target audiences on social media
Conceptualize, produce, and package content across social-media channels

Collaborative Skills

Collaborate effectively to produce creative projects

Professional Practices

Create a relevant and original portfolio and collateral materials which can be used to market themselves to the industry