Certificate programs are self-paced, but typically take 12-24 months to complete based upon 3-4 class load per semester. Most of the Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising Design courses are in person. However, some may be online.

Please Note: Not all classes may not be offered every semester.

Some of the courses do have pre-requisites. Please click on the courses listed on our webpage to see full details about each class, or you can view the program maps here:

• Fashion Design
• Merchandising

Yes. You may take any of the courses you like, as long as the prerequisite has been completed.

If you take the classes as non-credit through the School of Community Education, they do not automatically transfer as College Credit. However, you may choose to convert the courses into college credit.

Non-credit to credit conversion

Our hands-on classes range in price, but generally fall in the price range of $305 - $395 per class.

The Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising classes are currently located at:

ACC Highland Campus (HLC)
6101 Highland Campus Dr.
Austin, TX 78752

ACC Northridge Campus (NRG)
11928 Stonehollow Dr.
Austin, TX 78758

Please contact the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department Chair, Janie Chang, for more information on materials or books required for the courses.

The Fashion Design Certificate will emphasize on the creation of clothing. Students will be encouraged to develop their personal vision and design philosophy while deepening their understanding of the various domestic and international market segments. Students will move from concept to production, learning drawing, draping, patternmaking, sewing, tailoring and specialty techniques.

• FSHD-1002/1302: Intro to Fashion (48 Hours)
• FSHN-1001/1022: Textiles (48 Hours)
• FSHD-1024/1324: Ready to Wear Construction (96 Hours)
• FSHD-1022/1322: Fashion Sketching (64 Hours)
• FSHD-2006/2306: Draping (80 Hours)
• FSHD-1028/1328: Flat Pattern I (80 Hours)
• FSHD-1051/1351: Design Construction Techniques (96 Hours)
• FSHD-1011/1311: Fashion History (48 Hours)

The Merchandising program at Austin Community College prepares you for an exciting, fast-paced career in fashion retail, wholesale, visual merchandising and styling by seamlessly blending creative vision with modern, data-driven business strategy. Working alongside experienced faculty, you will gain the flexible, real-world tools needed to lead in today's global marketplace.

• FSHD-1002/1302: Intro to Fashion (48 Hours)
• FSHN-2020/2320: Fashion Merchandising (48 Hours)
• FSHN-2003/2303: Fashion Buying (48 Hours)
• FSHN-1001/1022: Textiles (48 Hours)
• FSHD-1011/1311: Fashion History (48 Hours)
• MRKG-1002/1302: Principles of Retailing (48 Hours)
• FSHD-1024/1324: Ready to Wear Construction (96 Hours)
• FSHN-2009/2309: Fashion Image (48 Hours)

There are two options for our Fashion Design and Merchandising Certificates:

School of Community Education

A School of Community Education student does NOT receive college credit. The student takes the class as non-credit. No admissions process required. A student can sign up online or in-person and then just show up on the first day of class.

If you take the non-credit classes, they do not transfer as College Credit automatically; but you are able to convert the non-credit classes to credit through the non-credit course conversion to credit process.

College Credit

A College Credit student receives college credit. A student must complete the ACC enrollment process. Please contact the ACC Admissions Office for this option.

NOTE: If you interested in the Associates of Applied Science in Fashion Design or Fashion Merchandising, please contact the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department for information and enrollment.

Yes, you can take the classes as a School of Community Education student. However, these are college level classes, so they are rigorous.

Please refer to the list of courses above this FAQ area, which are sorted by current and upcoming semester. Clicking on a course title will open the schedule of your choice.

If you are taking the classes as non-credit, please visit the School of Community Education Registration page.

If you are taking the classes for College Credit, you will need to contact College Admissions to discuss the enrollment/admissions process.

Austin Community College's Fashion Incubator prepares aspiring designers and established entrepreneurs for success in one of our city's most economically promising industries.

For questions about the Incubator, please contact: Nina Means, ACC Fashion Incubator Director: nina.means@austincc.edu | (512) 223-7081