MFA in FASHION DESIGN
☸
📚 Program Title:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Fashion Design
Institution: GEA University of San Marco
Religious modifier: ☸ (Wheel of Dharma symbol)
Final Capstone project: Wheel of Dharma Fashion
🎓 Program Overview:
The MFA in Fashion Design (with Wheel of Dharma Capstone Project) is a two-year, 60-credit terminal degree program that combines advanced fashion design education with spiritual and ethical design practices inspired by the Dharma. Students learn to integrate contemplative aesthetics, sustainable production, and cultural symbolism into wearable art. The program is designed to meet SACSCOC, FLDOE, and SARA standards.
⚖️ Regulatory Compliance Summary:
- FLDOE guidelines Compliance: Follows Florida Statutes Title XLVIII Ch. 1004 (Postsecondary Education) and State Board of Education rules.
- FCNS Codes: Mapped to CIP Code 50.0407 (Fashion/Apparel Design), with distinct prefixes and course numbers conforming to Florida’s SCNS guidelines.
- SARA Eligibility: the curriculum follows SARA guidelines.
🔱 Program Structure:
Year 1 – Foundations & Design Philosophy
| Code | Course Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAD 6200 | Dharma in Design: Ethics & Global Contexts | 3 | FCNS-aligned |
| FAD 6305C | Advanced Draping & Construction Techniques | 4 | Lab-intensive |
| FAD 6312C | Textile Innovation & Sustainable Fibers | 4 | Meets sustainability req. |
| FAD 6221 | Fashion Research Methods & Mindful Inquiry | 3 | Writing & research course |
| FAD 6415C | CAD for Spiritual Fashion Design | 3 | Adobe + CLO3D training |
| ARH 6610 | Sacred Geometry & Symbolism in Art | 3 | Cross-listed with Art History |
Year 2 – Innovation, Integration, and Thesis
| Code | Course Title | Credits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAD 6930 | Seminar in Contemplative Fashion Practice | 3 | Weekly critique & reflection |
| FAD 6942C | Industry Collaboration Studio | 4 | With spiritual design brands |
| FAD 6950C | Thesis Studio I: Collection Concept | 4 | Proposal + lookbook |
| FAD 6951C | Thesis Studio II: Collection Realization | 4 | Final runway presentation |
| FAD 6971 | MFA Written Thesis & Dharma Reflection | 3 | Scholarly paper |
| ENT 6010 | Fashion Entrepreneurship & Ethical Markets | 3 | Required for capstone |
🧭 Program Themes:
- Wheel of Dharma Integration: All students explore dharmic principles in visual form, such as using the eight spokes of the Wheel as symbolic inspiration for capsule collections.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Courses address respectful appropriation and deep cultural research, per FLDOE diversity mandates.
- Distance Learning Compliance: Hybrid options follow SARA rules for out-of-state learners and FERPA-compliant LMS use.
📌 CIP Code: 50.0407
📌 Degree Level: Master's (MFA)
📌 Total Credits: 60
📌 Delivery Format: 100% Online and Hybrid (on-campus & SARA-compliant online)