PROGRAM POLICY STATEMENT FOR 4+1 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND M.S. DEGREE IN FASHION STUDIES IN FASHION STUDIES

 

 

Part I: Rationale and Program Description

 

The 4+1 program allows FM majors who desire more education than the undergraduate major can provide to complete a master’s degree in half the time. By accelerating attainment of a master’s degree which includes writing a thesis, students will be provided with expanded opportunities for attaining effective written communication skills (Goal 1 of UD’s general education goals), opportunities to think critically to solve problems (Goal 2), opportunities to work independently (Goal 3) and opportunities to engage in research with faculty scholars.  A Master of Science in Fashion Studies may result in expanded opportunities for career growth in fashion, apparel, retail and related industries. 

The 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in fashion merchandising (FM) supports the University of Delaware goals for undergraduate education. The program is interdisciplinary, supported by foundations in aesthetics and art, business and economics, chemistry, history, sociology, and psychology (Goal 5). In FM, students study the planning, production, promotion, and distribution of products in fashion industries to meet consumer need and demand. The program develops students who can think critically to solve problems in the planning, buying, and sourcing of fashion products (Goal 2). Students are provided many opportunities to develop their oral, written and visual communication skills (Goal 1). Content throughout the program on topics of social responsibility and sustainability in the field engages the students in questions of ethics and their responsibility to society (Goal 4). The apparel industry is truly a global one; students gain an international perspective (Goal 10) through content in several required courses, as well as the study abroad opportunities and two multicultural courses in the department.

The 2-year Master of Science in Fashion Studies is designed to prepare students to be effective professionals in the global apparel industry. The growth and dominance of large multinational apparel brands and retailers has created a need for professionals who are globally oriented, innovative, have both apparel product design and consumer behavior expertise along with an understanding of social responsibility and sustainability, and strong communication skills. Graduates will be able to serve as integrators who can create value for a firm by integrating knowledge about consumer research, product design, product merchandising, product sourcing, and product presentation. The MS program is unique in that all students complete design innovation and consumer behavior courses to bring an understanding of both to solving problems

in the global fashion industry. Concepts and practices from social responsibility and sustainability  underlie the graduate program.

The Bachelor of Science degree in FM requires 120 credits.  An additional 32 credits are required for the Master of Science degree.  Graduate courses taken in the junior and senior years are combined to waive up to 13 credits of undergraduate degree course requirements.   In the freshmen and sophomore years and first semester of the junior year, students follow the FM curriculum as outlined in the undergraduate catalog. During the second semester of the junior year and the senior year a minimum of 12 graduate credits at the 600 and 800 levels will be completed.  Upon completion of the 4-year undergraduate degree, students will immediately begin taking the remaining graduate credits over a 1-year period.  The Bachelor of Science degree is awarded after completing the required 120 credits; whereupon students are granted regular status as graduate students and complete the remaining credits for the Master of Science degree. 

 

Part II. Admission to 4+1 Program

 

A.     When to Apply

Students will apply for admission to the 4+1 Master of Science in Fashion Studies program in the fall semester of the junior year.  However, any undergraduate student interested in applying for the program is encouraged to make their interest known to their advisor as early as the freshman year. 

B.     Admission requirements. Applicants for admission meet the following requirements:

 

1.      Students must be enrolled at the University of Delaware in the Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies pursuing an undergraduate major in fashion merchandising.

 

2.      A minimum of 60 undergraduate credits and a GPA equivalent to at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale in all prior undergraduate college-level course work.

 

3.      Students must also take the GRE; however, the GRE is waived if a student has a 3.5 GPA or higher. 

 

4.      Primary criteria:  Candidates for admission must submit 3 letters of recommendation and a personal statement describing interests, intellectual goals, and how this program would meet their goals and objectives. A resume and a writing sample (research paper from a senior level course) are required.  

 

5.      Secondary criteria: In instances such as high applicant numbers candidates for admission will be evaluated on the following in  addition to primary criteria. Examples of secondary criteria include determination by faculty of  the students clear promise of or  demonstrated research as well as an Interview.

 

6.      Students are admitted with provisional status until completion of the senior year and 120 credits, whereupon they are granted regular status as graduate students.

 

 

C.     Admission to the 4+1 program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

 

D.     Application deadlines. Review of applicants begins October 15th of the junior year and students are officially notified by November 1st.  Students begin the 4+1 program in the spring of the junior year.

 

Part III. Academic

 

A.     Course Requirements for Master of Science in Fashion Studies

FASH 822 Global Fashion Consumer

3 cr.

FASH 689 Apparel Supply Chains & Social Responsibility

1 cr.

FASH 691 Socially Responsible Apparel: Global Policy

1 cr.

FASH 692 Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains

                                                    or

FASH 695 Bringing Social Responsibility to Apparel Corporate Culture

1 cr.

FASH 825 Interdisciplinary Approaches to Creative Problem Solving

3 cr.

FASH 800 Research Analysis in Fashion Studies

3 cr.

FASH 665 Fashion Studies Seminar   (1 cr.)     (taken twice)

2 cr.

EDUC 665 Elementary Statistics (or equivalent)

3 cr.

Research Methods (IFST 615, EDUC 607 or equivalent)

3 cr.

Department electives (600 or 800 level) *

6 cr.

FASH 869 Thesis

6 cr.

Total

32 cr.

 

 

*Note: For the M.S. degree 4+1 students take FASH 655 and FASH 630 as departmental electives.

 

B.     The Bachelor of Science degree in FM requires 120 credits.  An additional 32 credits are required for the Master of Science degree.  Undergraduate courses taken in the junior and senior years are combined to waive up to 13 credits of bachelor degree course requirements.   In the freshmen and sophomore years and first semester of the junior year, students follow the FM curriculum as outlined in the undergraduate catalog. During the second semester of the junior year and the senior year a minimum of 13 graduate credits at the 600 and 800 levels will be completed.  Upon completion of the 4-year undergraduate degree, students will immediately begin taking the remaining graduate credits over a 1-year period. 

 

C.     4+1 Course Requirements. Students are admitted into the 4+1 program in the spring of the junior year. They  will take 600/800 FASH courses (13 credits) during the remainder of their undergraduate career according to the following sample schedule:

Spring of Junior Year

FASH 655

(3 cr.)

Count as a substitute for FASH 455 a required undergrad course

 

Fall of Senior Year

IFST 615*

(3 cr.)

Research Methods (will count as undergrad elective)

* can also take EDUC 607 or equivalent research methods course

 

 

 

Spring of Senior Year

FASH 665

(1 cr.)

Fashion Studies Seminar (taken twice, once as a required undergrad course)

FASH 630

(3 cr.)

Apparel Brand Management & Marketing (Counts as a substitute for FASH 430 a required undergrad course)

FASH 800

(3 cr.)

Research Analysis in Fashion Studies

 

In the graduate year of study, students will take (19 credits) with no electives or substitutions for requirements in the following sample sequence:  

Fall  Semester of Graduate Program

EDUC 665

(3 cr.)

Elementary Statistics (or equivalent)                                                                                    

FASH 822

(3 cr.)

Global Fashion Consumer                                                                                                    

FASH 689

(1 cr.)

Apparel Supply Chains & Social Responsibility

FASH 691

(1 cr.)

Socially Responsible Apparel: Global Policy

FASH 692**

(1 cr.)

Sustaining Global Apparel Supply Chains

**or FASH 695 Bringing Social Responsibility to Apparel Corporate Culture

 

Spring Semester of Graduate Program

FASH 665

(1 cr.)

Fashion Studies Seminar (taken twice)

FASH 825

(3 cr.)

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Creative Problem Solving

FASH 869

(6 cr.)

Thesis

 

The total credits for the B.S. and M.A. are 139. The B.S. degree is awarded upon completion of 120 credits.

 

D.     Grade minimums

Once admitted to the 4+1 degree program, students must maintain a 3.0 average in graduate level courses. Further, as per university policy, a student must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) each semester to be considered in good standing. Credit hours and courses for which the grade is below a B- do not count toward the M.S. degree, however the grade is applied to the index.  In order to continue to progress toward degree any student who fails to receive B or better on courses in their major field of study must repeat the course and receive a B. In addition, having to repeat a course is considered in the review for satisfactory progress to degree. See Part VI. D. 1 for departmental review procedures.

 

Part IV.  Plus 1 (Graduate Year)

 

A.     Time limits for completing 4+1 degree requirements

Students that complete the bachelor degree are allowed to work toward the master’s degree part-time provided the degree requirements are completed within 5 years from receiving their undergraduate degree. 

 

B.     Petitions for variance in degree requirements

Typically, for a 4+1 student the master’s program can be completed in 1 year beyond the bachelors degree. The university allows ten semesters from the date of matriculation for completion of the master’s degree for students entering the doctoral program with an earned master’s degree. Graduate course credits expire five years after the course has been completed. Extension of this time limit may be granted for circumstances beyond a student’s control and must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the department chair.

 

C.     Courses which may not be used toward the degree

No more than 3 credits of independent study (FASH 666: Special Problems) and 3

credits of supervised research (FASH 868: Supervised Research) may count towards the

degree. A maximum of 9 graduate credits may be applied toward the graduate degree through

Continuing Education non-degree classification with approval of the department chair

and the student’s advisor. Graduate credit earned at another institution will be evaluated at the student’s request. A maximum of 9 credits required for the degree will be accepted provided the course meets university requirements for transfer approval. Graduate courses for transfer credit must have a B or better.

 

 

Part V. Committees for Master’s Exams and Theses

 

A.     Advisement  For the three semesters students are completing graduate work while juniors and seniors, the department’s director of graduate studies serves as the student’s temporary advisor.  Students should seek opportunities to meet all faculty members in the department to discuss their areas of study during the first semester 4+1 students must decide whom they would like as their advisor by the beginning of the spring semester of their senior year.  To request an advisor, students will write a statement of research interest and indicate with whom they want to work and will submit this to the graduate studies director. The department will try to accommodate each student’s interests/requests.  However, faculty availability will be considered for the number of students who need advisement.

 

B.     Selection of Master's Thesis Committees

The thesis committee consists of one faculty advisor and two other faculty members. Two faculty members including the student’s advisor who will serve as committee chairperson should be from the Fashion and Apparel Studies department.  During the spring semester of their senior year, the student will write a statement of research interests and indicate who in addition to his or her advisor would be appropriate members of the thesis committee. With the approval of the advisor, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss the topic with potential committee members and gain their agreement to serve as committee members.

 

C.     Requirement for Comprehensive Exams for Master’s Degree

4+1 students have no official comprehensive exam such as a qualifying exam. However,

4+1 students will write, present, and be examined over a research/scholarship proposal. In addition, they will be examined over their theses and program of study at the thesis defense.

See Part VI. D. 4 for thesis defense guidelines.

 

D.     Research/Scholarship Proposal

Before or at the beginning of the fall semester of their fifth year, 4+1 students must submit a

written proposal for research/scholarship. The proposal will be presented to and approved by the student’s graduate committee. This proposal should include a detailed review of pertinent literature, justification for the scholarly activity, methods and procedures to be used, and a timetable for completion. The proposal will be reviewed and refined as necessary, based on the committee’s input. If major emphasis is shifted during the course of the research/scholarship, the proposal should be amended with the advice and consent of the committee.

 

D.     Policies for Dates of Examinations

Since thesis defenses typically occur at the end of a course of study, a convenient time to hold them might be in the summer. However, holding exams during the summer may be difficult because faculty on nine-month contracts or on sabbatical may not be available during the summer. Therefore, the student needs to plan with the graduate committee well in advance to negotiate appropriate scheduling of the defense.

 

F.   Human Subjects Research Guidelines

University policy and federal law (45 CFR 46) require that all research involving living human

subjects be reviewed and approved by the Human Subjects Review Board (HSRB). This body is

also commonly referred to as an Institutional Review Board (IRB). This requirement applies to

all research involving human subjects conducted by University faculty, staff, and students.

As defined by federal law, there are three levels of appropriate review: exemption from full

board review, expedited review, and full board review. The level depends on who the subjects

will be and how much risk they will experience. For information on how to decide which type of

review may be required, see the section on protocol review and approval procedures available

in http://www.udel.edu/research/preparing/protocolreview.html

University investigators planning research projects involving the use of human subjects are

required to (1) make available to the Review Board the plans for anticipated research before

beginning the projects and in sufficient time to allow the board to take action; (2) make clearly

evident in the written research plan or through any further information that may be needed

precisely how the rights and welfare of the research subjects are to be protected, how informed

consent of human subjects is to be obtained, and whether written consent forms are to be used;

and (3) during the course of the project make known to the committee any changes in protocol

or any emerging problems of investigation that may significantly alter the original concept; (4)

report to the Review Board any instances of injuries or unexpected problems involving risks to

subjects or others; and (5) carry out the continuing responsibilities delineated in Section E.6,

"Responsibilities of the Research Investigator."  Students should submit the application for human subjects review to the chair for human subjects in the CHEP who serves as a member of UD’s IRB prior to conducting research and must obtain the approval before collecting data.

 

Part VI. Approval of Theses

 

A.     THE MASTER'S THESIS

The master’s thesis must reflect the ability to conduct scholarly work and to report the results in a manner worthy of publication. The following items are to be submitted to the Office of

Graduate Studies: (a) Three original sets of the signature pages showing approval of the thesis;

(b) Three copies of the abstract; (c) The thesis as a PDF file. The thesis must be approved by

(a) the chair of the committee in charge of the candidate’s degree program or the advisor, (b)

the chair of the department of major concentration or the chair of the committee in charge of an

area of study, (c) the Dean of the College, and (d) the Provost.

 

B.     Departmental and Student Obligations for Determining Committee Members and Changes in Committee Members

Although it is not desirable to change faculty advisors, students may feel that it is best to work

with another faculty member advisor due to unusual circumstances. In that case, the students

can petition the graduate studies director in writing of the desire to change advisor at any time

before initiating the thesis or dissertation proposal. The graduate studies committee will

consider the petition and make a decision.

 

 

C.     Timetable and Definition of Satisfactory Progress Towards the Master’s Degree Academic load (full & part-time) expectations.

Fashion and Apparel Studies students are encouraged to enroll in 9-12 credit hours each semester to make timely progress toward degree. Those enrolled for fewer than 9 credit hours are considered part-time students. Generally, a maximum load is 12 graduate credit hours; however, additional credit hours may be taken with the approval of the student’s adviser and the Office of Graduate Studies. A maximum course load in either summer or winter session is 7 credit hours. Permission must be obtained from the Office of Graduate Studies to carry an overload in any session. Normal progress toward the master’s degree includes adherence to the timelines indicated in the Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate handbook as well as achievement of grades of B or better in Fashion and Apparel Studies courses. Fashion and Apparel Studies graduate students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.

 

D.     Define departmental review procedures for evaluating normal progress and evaluation of performance of 4+1’s students.

1.   In spring of the 4th and 5th years, 4+1 students will be evaluated for satisfactory progress in the program. The Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee will conduct the review, and in addition, may seek oral or written appraisal of the student from professors the student has had outside the department. The purpose of these evaluations is (a) To assess the student’s potential for continuing toward successful completion of the MS, (b) To identify any areas of concern which warrant special attention, such as the ability to perform satisfactorily or the timely progress in the program, (c) To make any recommendations which would address such concerns, (d) To make a recommendation to the student regarding continuation in the program.  Review of student’s progress will consist of consideration of the following characteristics that are related to successful completion of the MS: (a) The student exhibits ability to do independent work, (b) The student does not have a pattern of incompletes, (c) The student has achieved B grades or better in the courses from the program of study including the provisional courses, (d) The student exhibits self-motivation and discipline, (e) The student exhibits the talent necessary for graduate study and research, (f) The student demonstrates professional responsibility, (g) The student exhibits creativity in thought processes, (h) There is continued congruence between student’s and faculty research interests, (i) The student follows professional and personal ethical principles, (j) The student follows handbook rules regarding suggested timeline and completes these steps in a timely manner. A recommendation will be made to the student in a letter. Copies of the recommendation letter will also be placed in the student’s permanent records with the director of graduate studies, with the student, and with the student’s advisor. The outcomes of the recommendations are: (a) Student should continue unconditionally in the program, (b) Student should continue in the program pending successful completion of specific recommendations that may include coursework or other strategies necessary to strengthen areas of weakness, (c) Student will be recommended to the Office of Graduate Studies for dismissal from the program. Students remaining in the program, but with recommendations to strengthen areas of weakness, will receive a recommendation letter with a timeline for process and correction. Such students will be reviewed at the end of each semester to assess continued progress. Students who fail to make progress for two consecutive semesters will be recommended for dismissal from the 4+1 program.

 

2.   Grade requirements (general and specific). Students must achieve grades of B or better in graduate coursework. Fashion and Apparel Studies 4+1 students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA.  All graduate numbered courses taken with graduate student classification at the University of Delaware are applied to the cumulative index. Credit hours and courses for which the grade is “B-”or below do not count toward the M.S. degree even though the grade is applied to the index. Candidates should see that all final grades have been submitted by their instructors. Temporary grades of “S” (Satisfactory) are assigned for 868 (Research) and 869 (Master’s Thesis) until a final letter grade is submitted upon the completion of the thesis or dissertation.

 

3.  Thesis progress timetable guidelines. Maintenance of steady, reasonable progress toward the master’s degree is the responsibility of the student and the advisor. Regular meetings with the graduate committee members to discuss progress are strongly encouraged. Each student is responsible for monitoring his or her progress. At the end of each semester of study, 4+ 1 students will be evaluated for satisfactory progress in the program. The Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee will conduct the review. Results of the review and the committee’s recommendation will be made available to the student. Copies of the recommendation will also be placed in the student’s permanent records with the director of graduate studies and with the student’s advisor. Deficiencies in progress will be communicated in writing by the advisor to the student and to the Office of Graduate Studies. In the case of deficiencies in progress, the recommendation letter will contain a timeline and information about the process for correction.  Before or during the fall semester of their fifth year 4+1 students must submit to their committee for review and approval, a written research proposal describing the intended thesis research and a timetable for completion. Students are required to present their proposal in FASH 665 (Fashion Studies Seminar) to the department. The date of the thesis defense should be scheduled to precede the University deadline for thesis submission by at least two weeks to allow sufficient time for any necessary changes.

 

4.   Thesis defense guidelines. The thesis should reflect the student's ability to conduct independent scholarship and to present the results in a formal manner. It must conform to the university's Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines (available on the university web site) as to format and other mechanics. Students may write the thesis in a style suitable for a manuscript(s) ready for submission to a journal in consultation with their advisor. The student may register for Master's Thesis (FASH 869) after the student’s committee has approved the proposal to accumulate the required minimum of 6 credit hours. The student will receive a temporary grade of S or U until successful completion of the thesis, when the advisor will record a letter grade. The Thesis Defense is conducted by the student's graduate committee. Decisions concerning passage of the defense and recommendations stemming from it are decided by the committee based on a simple majority vote. If the first attempt results in failure, the second examination cannot be taken earlier than 90 days nor later than 365 days following the first examination. The defense shall be announced by the student's advisor at least one week in advance by memorandum to department faculty. The student must provide each graduate committee member with a refined (but not final) draft of the thesis at least two weeks before the thesis defense. The date of the thesis defense should precede the University deadline for thesis submission by at least two weeks to allow sufficient time for any necessary changes. The Thesis Defense is open to all University of Delaware faculty members. No other students may attend the Thesis Defense.

 

5.   Forms required. The Application for Advanced Degree is available at

www.udel.edu/gradoffice/current/advanceddegree.pdf and due dates are approximately three months prior to degree conferral. The Change of Classification Form for Graduate Students is the form used to request a change in a graduate student’s academic classification when the change occurs within the same program or department. This form is available at is available at http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/gradindex.html#f

 

6.   Identify consequence for failure to make satisfactory progress. Protocol for grievance procedure if student has been recommended for termination for failure to make satisfactory progress. A student who does not maintain satisfactory progress toward a degree or who does not fulfill other graduate program requirements, including those regarding professional standards and misconduct, may be denied further registration in that program by the Office of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee. If, in the professional judgment of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee, a student has failed to make satisfactory progress toward meeting the academic standards of the program in which that student is enrolled, the committee may vote to dismiss that student from the program. In the case of dismissal, the director of graduate studies is required to send a report to the Office of Graduate Studies that states the Graduate Studies Committee vote on the decision causing dismissal and the justification for the action. The Office of Graduate Studies will notify a student in writing when the student is being dismissed for failure to make satisfactory progress in the program. In the case of academic dismissal, the student may appeal the termination by writing to the Office of Graduate Studies. This appeal must be made within ten class days from the date on which the student has been notified of academic dismissal. If the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs grants reinstatement, the student must meet the conditions of the reinstatement. Failure to meet these conditions will result in dismissal from the program. A graduate student may be reinstated only once to a given major. The student’s academic transcript will reflect the reinstatement with academic probation status.

 

 

Part VII.  FINANCIAL AID

 

A.     Types of awards, policies for granting awards, summer appointments, and years of support.

Generally, financial aid will not be provided by the Department for students in the 4+1 Fashion Studies program. However, in rare cases, some students may be appointed as graduate research or graduate teaching assistants. The Department Chair is responsible for appointing graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants within the department, based on recommendations of the Fashion and Apparel Studies Graduate Studies Committee. The following criteria are generally considered in assessing applicants for assistantship appointments:

1.   performance in all previous undergraduate and graduate course work;

 

2.   letters of recommendation from the advisor and other persons in positions to assess academic and professional potential;

3.   experience in research (including publications), teaching and/or non-University employment;

4.   professional interests;

5.   specific grant-related and teaching program personnel needs of the department;

6.   length of availability for service;

7.   evaluation of previous assistantship performance; and

8.   competence in oral communication.

Typically appointments will be made for 9 months. Occasionally, 12-month appointments may be available associated with specific faculty grants. The typical maximum length of appointment is two regular 9-month appointments for Master’s students.