Overview

The Design - Apparel Studies M.Sc. at the University of Minnesota provides a comprehensive platform for students to advance their theoretical and practical knowledge of textile and apparel products. This programme focuses on how human behaviour interacts with designed environments, offering a choice between a thesis-focused track or a project-based path for career advancement.

Why Design - Apparel Studies at the University of Minnesota?

Students benefit from access to world-class facilities, including the Human Dimensioning Lab, the Wearable Technology Lab, and the Goldstein Museum of Design. These resources support interdisciplinary collaborations across fields such as medicine, mechanical engineering, and environmental sciences. The programme is supported by the Center for Retail Design & Innovation and the Wearable Product Design Center, ensuring that research remains at the cutting edge of the industry.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 16776 per semester
National fee: USD 16776 per semester
Local fee: USD 10632 per semester

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured around core concentrations that allow for deep specialisation. Students must complete 34 credits, which include major requirements and elective options. Modules may include:

Dress, History, and Culture
Product Development
Retailing and Consumer Studies
Material Culture
Socio-psychological Factors in Consumption
Wearable Soft Goods
Research Methods
Thesis Research

Careers with Design - Apparel Studies

Graduates are prepared for diverse professional roles within the global fashion and textile industries. The project-based degree plan is specifically designed for those seeking career advancement in product development and retail management. Those completing the thesis-focused track often progress to doctoral studies to pursue careers as professors or academic researchers. Potential career paths include roles in consumer research, historic costume preservation, and technical design for wearable technology.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Quantitative Research Methods

Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research

Fashion, Design, and the Global Industry

Readings in Apparel Studies

Behavioral Aspects of Dress

Design and Globalization

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-04-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

34 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Minneapolis, United States

Disciplines

Design Fashion, Textiles and Luxury Goods Fashion Design View 74 other Masters in Fashion, Textiles and Luxury Goods in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

GRE^®

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To pursue graduate study in the apparel studies track, an undergraduate degree in an area of clothing and textiles (e.g., retail merchandising, clothing design) is suggested

We encourage you to reach out to faculty member(s) who best align with your research interests to determine if you have sufficient background to pursue this area of study at the graduate level and discuss research interests

Complete University of Minnesota Graduate School Application

Strong academic record with a preferred 3.0 GPA

Personal statement of your academic and professional goals for the degree desired (1–2 pages)

Diversity statement (1–2 pages; make the statement relevant for the Diversity of View and Experience Fellowship if applying)

Graduate Record Examination (GRE scores)

Three letters of recommendation

All transcripts

Application fee of $75

A portfolio with 15–20 examples of current work in .pdf file format

TOEFL or IELTS scores

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

33552 USD / year

≈ 33552 USD / year
Out-of-State

33552 USD / year

≈ 33552 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

21264 USD / year

≈ 21264 USD / year

Living costs

Minneapolis

United States

1130 - 2045 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Design - Apparel Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Minneapolis

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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