Begin your career in fashion design at a two-year college in Southern California.
It is possible to find a community college in southern California offering or specializing in fashion design. If a four-year university isn't for you, there are a few lower-cost options for beginning your career and flexing your creative muscles in fashion design in half the time---or less. The costs for these community colleges vary, but they typically have lower tuition costs than their four-year counterparts.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Located in Los Angeles, FIDM, as it is widely known, teaches fashion sketching, creative design, pattern drafting and computer applications. The institution structures its curriculum to "challenge and inspire" students by taking a realistic approach to the industry. In 2010, one academic year of 45 units costs approximately $26,000, including books and taxes, for in-state students. Fees for out-of-state students run about $9,000 more.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College
On the financial side, LATTC boasts one of the lowest enrollment fees in the United States. At just $20 per unit for California residents and $173 for out-of-state students (in 2010), it is an affordable option to begin a fashion design career.
According to the website, students can opt for a Certificate of Completion in fashion design by taking 46 units of full time fashion program courses or a fashion design Associate in Arts degree by taking 46 units of fashion plus 18 additional units of regular academic courses. A full 46-unit program for a California resident will cost around $920, excluding books and taxes.
Art Institute of California Hollywood
The Art Institute of California Hollywood, formerly California Design College, offers students skills in fashion design and pattern making. The site claims to prepare graduates for an entry-level fashion position such as costume designer, assistant fashion buyer, fashion designer or seamstress.
AI offers courses on weekends and in the evenings to accommodate students who are currently in the job market and wish to learn a new career.
The Associate of Arts degree program is 7 quarters long for a total of 112 credit hours. The cost is $503 per credit hour for a total of $8,048 per quarter and $56,336 for the entire program (as of 2010).
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