What Drexel's Fashion Design Program Offers

Drexel University's fashion design program is a four-year Bachelor of Science degree housed in the College of Arts and Sciences in Philadelphia. The program combines studio-based design work with business and technical coursework, meaning you study pattern-making and garment construction alongside fashion marketing, supply chain management, and digital design tools. Unlike some fashion schools that focus only on design aesthetics, Drexel emphasizes the full pipeline from concept to retail.

The curriculum includes required internships through Drexel's cooperative education model, where you alternate between classroom terms and paid work terms in the fashion industry. This structure means your degree takes longer than a traditional four-year program — typically five years — but you graduate with real work experience on your resume and money earned during internships that can offset tuition costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Drexel's fashion design degree is a five-year program that includes mandatory paid internships in the fashion industry, not a four-year program like many universities.
  • The program teaches design skills alongside business fundamentals like supply chain and retail operations, so you learn how clothes move from sketch to store.
  • Admission requires a portfolio of design work, a personal statement, and standardized test scores; portfolio quality matters more than test scores for fashion programs.
  • Tuition and fees vary by year and change annually, so you should contact Drexel's admissions office directly for current costs and financial aid information.
  • Drexel is located in Philadelphia, a major fashion hub with connections to manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers that support internship placements.

Admission Requirements and Portfolio Expectations

To be considered for Drexel's fashion design program, you must submit a portfolio of your design work. This is the most important part of your process — admissions staff review your sketches, finished garments, mood boards, and design process to see whether you have foundational skills and a point of view. A strong portfolio shows range (different garment types, silhouettes, or design approaches) and evidence that you can execute ideas, not just imagine them.

Beyond the portfolio, you need to submit high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and a personal statement explaining why you want to study fashion design at Drexel specifically. Drexel does not have a minimum test score requirement published, but competitive applicants typically score in the middle 50th percentile for the university overall. However, for fashion programs, portfolio strength often outweighs test scores — a student with an exceptional portfolio and lower test scores may be admitted over a student with higher scores but weaker design work.

You should also prepare for an interview, either in person at Drexel's campus or virtually. Admissions staff ask about your design influences, your experience with sewing or other construction techniques, and what you hope to do after graduation. This is your chance to show that you have thought seriously about fashion as a career, not just as a hobby.

The Cooperative Education Model and Timeline

Drexel's defining feature is its cooperative education requirement, which means you work in the fashion industry for paid terms that alternate with classroom terms. Most students follow a pattern of classroom, work, classroom, work, and so on. This structure extends your degree to five years, but you graduate with 12 to 18 months of professional experience and money earned during work terms.

Your first internship typically happens after your second year, giving you time to build foundational skills in the classroom first. Drexel's career services office helps you find placements, but you are responsible for explore and interviewing. Internships can be in design studios, manufacturing facilities, retail companies, or fashion marketing departments — the variety means you can test different career paths before graduation.

The work terms are paid, and wages vary depending on the employer and your location. Some students intern in New York or Los Angeles, which offer higher pay but higher living costs. Others stay in Philadelphia or work remotely. The money you earn can be substantial enough to cover a semester's worth of expenses, which is why many students view the co-op model as a way to reduce overall student debt.

Curriculum and Studio Facilities

The fashion design curriculum starts with foundational courses in drawing, color theory, and garment construction. You learn to sew by hand and machine, draft patterns from measurements, and understand fabric properties — how different materials drape, stretch, and wear. These skills are taught in studio spaces equipped with sewing machines, dress forms, and design software.

As you progress, you take specialized courses in areas like menswear design, womenswear design, knitwear, and sustainable fashion. You also study fashion history, which teaches you how past designs inform current trends and how to reference historical silhouettes in your own work. Business courses cover topics like costing (how much it costs to make a garment), pricing strategy, and retail operations.

By your third and fourth years, you work on capstone projects and senior collections — these are your opportunity to develop a cohesive body of work that demonstrates your design point of view. Many students show their senior collections at Drexel's annual fashion show, which is attended by industry professionals and can lead to job offers or freelance opportunities after graduation.

Cost and Financial Aid Information

Tuition and fees at Drexel vary by academic year and change annually. Because the program is five years rather than four, your total cost of attendance is higher than a traditional four-year degree, but the paid internships offset some of that expense. You should contact Drexel's Office of Admissions or the College of Arts and Sciences directly for current tuition rates, as they are published each year and differ from the previous year.

Drexel offers financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study. You complete the Free process for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal aid, and Drexel also awards its own institutional aid based on merit and financial need. Some students receive scholarships specifically for fashion design students, though these are limited and competitive.

Because you earn money during co-op terms, many students use that income to pay for tuition, housing, or living expenses in the following term. This can reduce the amount you need to borrow in loans. You should factor in the cost of living in Philadelphia (housing, food, transportation) when calculating your total cost, as well as the cost of materials for studio courses (fabric, thread, notions).

Location and Industry Connections

Drexel is located in Philadelphia's University City neighborhood, near other universities and cultural institutions. Philadelphia has a significant fashion manufacturing and wholesale sector, with many fabric suppliers, pattern makers, and small production facilities in the region. This proximity means internship opportunities are often local, which can reduce relocation costs compared to students who must move to New York or Los Angeles.

However, many Drexel fashion students do intern in New York, which is the largest fashion hub in the United States, or in other major cities. Drexel's career services office has relationships with employers across the country, so you are not limited to Philadelphia placements. The university also has alumni working in fashion companies nationwide, which can help with networking and job placement after graduation.

Career Outcomes and What Graduates Do

Drexel fashion design graduates work in roles including design assistant, pattern maker, product developer, and fashion merchandiser. Some work for large retailers like Target or Urban Outfitters; others work for independent brands or start their own labels. The combination of design skills and business knowledge means graduates can move into roles beyond pure design, such as production management or retail buying.

The co-op experience is valuable to employers because it means you arrive at your first full-time job already familiar with industry workflows and professional expectations. Many students receive job offers from companies where they interned, which streamlines the job search process after graduation. Others use their portfolio and co-op experience to freelance or launch their own brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to sew before I explore?

No. Drexel teaches sewing and garment construction from the beginning, so you do not need prior experience. However, your portfolio should show design thinking — sketches, mood boards, or finished pieces that demonstrate you understand proportion, silhouette, and color. If you have made garments, include photos, but hand-drawn designs are equally valid.

Can I do my co-op internship outside the United States?

Drexel permits international co-op placements in some cases, but you should discuss this with your career services advisor early in your program. International placements require additional planning around visa requirements and may have different pay structures. Most students intern domestically, but the university does have some partnerships with fashion companies abroad.

What is the difference between Drexel's fashion design program and other fashion schools?

Drexel's program emphasizes the business and production side of fashion alongside design, and the mandatory co-op model means you graduate with paid work experience. Some fashion schools focus more heavily on design aesthetics or art direction. Drexel's five-year timeline is longer than traditional universities but shorter than some specialized fashion institutes.

Do I have to attend the fashion show to graduate?

Participating in the senior fashion show is not mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged and is a significant part of the final year experience. Your senior collection is a capstone project, and showing it publicly gives you portfolio pieces and networking opportunities. Most students participate because it strengthens their job prospects after graduation.

What happens if I change my mind about fashion design after I start?

You can change your major at Drexel like any university. However, because the fashion design program has a specific sequence and co-op requirements, switching majors late in your program may delay graduation. You should speak with an academic advisor as soon as you know you want to change direction so you can plan the transition.