Textiles and Fashion Design (TFD) is a unique hybrid program that combines a deep understanding of materials and techniques with an academic base of history, science, and contemporary design. The heart of the major lies in the hands-on studio courses where students learn to weave, dye, print, construct, pattern, illustrate, design, and innovate. Going beyond technique, TFD faculty encourage students to intuitively make, analyze and revise, leading to discovery and creative problem solving. Special topics focus on environmental, economic, and cultural sustainability as well as technology and non-traditional entrepreneurship.

Coursework in the TFD program is enhanced by visiting lecturers, special projects with industry partners, and the on-site Helen Louise Allen Textile Collection. Upper-level students in the major are given the opportunity to professionally show their work to a public audience in the fall annual student showcase and the spring fashion show.

Our award-winning students are both highly creative and superb craftspeople engaged in addressing real-world problems and offering sustainable solutions.

TFD

Our bachelor of science degree (B.S.)  in textiles and fashion design (TFD) highlights craft technique as a pathway to creative practice and prepares students for an exciting creative career in design. Studies can focus primarily in textiles or in fashion, but students are encouraged to experiment in both areas. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary partnerships and encourages learning by doing in studios, outreach projects, and sustainable practices. 

Through capstone and thesis experiences in the final year, students are given time and mentoring to create and present their own unique body of work.

TFD–FIT

For those leaning toward an industry career, our program gives students the option to apply to spend their senior year at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, the hub of the textile and fashion trade. The FIT experience provides students with industry specific skills which, when paired with the creative liberal arts background, makes our graduates highly desirable and often recruited by industry leaders. Students apply to FIT in their junior year. If accepted by FIT, they participate in a visiting student program in one area of focus: Fashion Design, Textile Surface Design, Accessory Design, or Textile Development and Marketing.

Upon graduation, students who attend FIT are awarded a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in textiles and fashion design with a named option in FIT. A named option is a formally documented sub-major within an academic major program. Named options appear on the transcript with degree conferral. FIT students also earn an associate of applied science (A.A.S) degree from FIT.  Students attending FIT who are considered Wisconsin nonresidents continue to pay out-of-state tuition, even if they reside in the state of New York.

Prospective UW–Madison Students

All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Freshmen should declare their intention to pursue the textiles and fashion design (TFD) major when they apply for admission to UW–Madison. In addition, students may indicate interest in the TFD major when registering for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR).

Current UW–Madison Students

Declaration 

• First-semester students may declare SoHE majors.
• All students with fewer than 60 GPA credits, a minimal 2.75 cumulative GPA, and not on probation in their current school/college may declare SoHE majors.

Application

• All other students must apply through a competitive application process.

For transfer students, sequential courses and courses taught only once a year should be taken into account when calculating time toward completion of the degree, as graduation time may be extended.

Students intending to complete their final year of study at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) must complete an additional application. Only students with a 3.0 or higher GPA in December of their third year in the program are eligible to apply for admission to FIT.

University General Education Requirements

All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.

School of Human Ecology Requirements

All Textiles and Fashion Design students complete the School of Human Ecology requirements listed below. Then, students complete the Textiles and Fashion Design requirements OR the Textiles and Fashion Design-FIT requirements.

Textiles and Fashion Design Requirements

A complete list of requirements is below. Students should follow the curriculum requirements in place at the time they entered the major. This requirement list should be used in combination with a DARS report.

Textiles and Fashion Design: FIT Option

University Degree Requirements

1. Have grounding in the history and theory relevant to the human ecological perspective.
2. Have intellectual skills for inquiry, creative thinking, and critical analysis.
3. Have professional skills that prepare them for applying what they have learned to create new knowledge and solve problems in a real world setting.
4. Textiles and Fashion Design students will have the ability to move beyond technique, taking creative risks to develop conceptually cohesive work through advanced knowledge of materials, processes, and an understanding of design principles.
5. Textiles and Fashion Design students will have the ability to participate in professional discussions and critique that are informed by foundational knowledge of fashion and/or textile history, theory, and science.

This is a sample four-year plan for Textiles & Fashion Design. We encourage all students to consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific needs.

Advising & Career Center

The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming SoHE alumni. 

Academic Advising

Each SoHE student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. SoHE academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective SoHE students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience. 

To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE academic advisor, visit Advising in SoHE. 

Career Development

Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. SoHE career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through individual and group advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.

To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE career advisor, visit Career Development.

Professors

Angus, Dong, Hark, Kallenborn, Moskowitz, Sarmadi;

Associate Professors

Carter, Fairbanks, Ponto, Shin;

Assistant Professors

Shishegar, Thorleifsdottir, Vaid;

Faculty Associates

Godfrey, Kurutz, Kwasny, Sager

For more information, visit the School of Human Ecology faculty and staff directory.

Internships

Internships are a vital part of student career development and a highly valued component of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of Human Ecology. High-quality internships foster student development by bringing theories and classroom-based learning to life in real-world settings. In addition, internships give students the opportunity to explore careers related to their major, gain relevant experience in their field(s) of interest, and develop a better understanding of what is expected in a workplace by performing the tasks of a professional in that field.

For SoHE majors, internships are a requirement of our undergraduate curriculum. Students must have at least a junior standing (54+ credits) in order to pursue a 3-credit internship and must complete a minimum of 150 hours at the internship site. To be eligible, an internship must be educational in nature, directly relate to a student’s major and career goals, and be approved by the Advising & Career Center.

For some SoHE majors, additional course prerequisites may be required. For more information, visit SoHE Internships. 

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

School of Human Ecology student organizations include:

• Apparel and Textile Association (ATA)
• Association of Fundraising Professionals - UW Madison Chapter (AFP)
• Community and Nonprofit Leaders (CNLUW)
• Financial Occupations Club for University Students (FOCUS)
• Interior Design Organization (IDO)/American Society of Interior Design (ASID) - Student Chapter
• Phi Upsilon Omicron (National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences)
• Student Association for Human Development and Family Studies (SAHDFS)
• Student Retail Association (SRA)

For more information about registering as a SoHE student organization, please visit SoHE Student Organizations. 

Learn more about UW–Madison registered student organizations through the Wisconsin Involvement Network. 

Advising & Career Center 

The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming SoHE alumni. 

Academic Advising

Each SoHE student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. SoHE academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective SoHE students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience. 

To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE academic advisor, visit Advising in SoHE. 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. SoHE career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through individual and group advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.

To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a SoHE career advisor, visit Career Development.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES

The School of Human Ecology awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. The deadline to apply for scholarships is typically late in the fall semester. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time SoHE students.

Students who experience emergency financial situations may inquire about the availability of short-term loans through the SoHE Advising & Career Center. In addition, university scholarships, loans, and employment are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid (333 East Campus Mall; 608-262-3060).