CCS Launches Nation’s First 90-Credit Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business Management

Redefining Fashion Education, Three-Year Program Prepares Students for Leadership in Global Industry

The College for Creative Studies is proud to announce the launch of a new, reduced-credit Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business Management. Beginning in Fall 2026, the program will be the first of its kind in the U.S., designed to prepare a new generation of fashion leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global industry. 

Delivered over just three years and comprising 90 focused credits, the program reimagines the traditional fashion business curriculum through a bold interdisciplinary framework that integrates strategic leadership, creative thinking, and digital fluency. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the program prepares students to enter the workforce earlier without compromising academic depth or industry relevance.

“We are thrilled to launch the first Bachelor of Arts degree at CCS. It is a true reflection of the strength and spirit of the CCS community, where creativity meets critical thinking and cultural awareness,” said Don Tuski, CCS President. “The Fashion Business Management BA will allow creative thinkers to explore the intersections of art and commerce in a city that has long shaped the future of fashion, design, craft and culture. As always, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive, forward-looking learning environment where all students can thrive, create the cutting edge and reimagine the world through art and design.”

Students will develop skills in merchandising, styling, marketing strategy, brand development, trend forecasting and fashion communications—disciplines essential to shaping and sustaining relevance in global markets. Throughout the program, CCS emphasizes a strategic approach to business, cultural literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking.

A hallmark of the experience is its collaborative structure, which brings Fashion Business Management students into direct engagement with peers in the College’s BFA Fashion Design program. This multidisciplinary model reflects the internal ecosystems of contemporary fashion houses and gives students early exposure to creative and commercial cross-functionality.

Through CCS’s deeply established industry partnerships and Fashion Advisory Board, students benefit from direct mentorship and exposure to leaders at the forefront of the global fashion industry. Advisory board and industry affiliations include Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Tracy Reese, Tapestry, Carhartt, Anna Sui, and Eileen Fisher.

Graduates will be equipped to move directly into leadership roles across merchandising, marketing, retail strategy, communications, and entrepreneurship. And by offering a reduced-credit model without sacrificing academic rigor, CCS is removing structural barriers to entry and opening new pathways for emerging talent. Unlike traditional fashion business degrees, no portfolio is required for admission. 

“In the current landscape, the fashion industry demands professionals who can think creatively, lead strategically and operate with cultural and commercial agility,” said Aki Choklat, Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design at CCS. “This program answers that call directly, offering a highly intentional pathway into the business of fashion—one that mirrors the way global fashion houses and brands operate today.”

Prospective students can learn more here: https://bit.ly/454EQHv