Footwear and Accessories Design BFA Degree Program
http://fitnyc.edu/accessoriesdesign
SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
Applications accepted for fall only. NYSED: 27491 CIP: 50.0407
The Footwear and Accessories Design major offers design, technical, and business skills to prepare students for careers in design, product development, merchandising, and entrepreneurship. Curriculum below is for the entering class of fall 2025.
| Semester 5 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MAJOR AREA | LD 332 - Theatrical and Character Footwear | 3 |
| LD 342 - Zippered Handbags Design | 2.5 | |
| LD 371 - Accessories that have Changed Fashion | 2.5 | |
| RELATED AREA | JD 138 - Introduction to CAD Modeling for Designers | 2 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | HA 344 - European Fashion: Ancient Origins to Modern Styles | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts | 3 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | LD 331 - Athletic Footwear Design | 3 |
| LD 451 - Sports-Specific Bags and Carrying Gear | 2.5 | |
| RELATED AREA | JD 237 - 3D Digital Object Design | 2 |
| TD 362 - Screen Printing for Accessories Design | 2 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/History of Art | 3 | |
| PE/HEALTH | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts Elective(s)/PE/Health | 1 |
| Semester 7 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | LD 333 - Nontraditional Footwear Design | 2.5 |
| LD 341 - Unconventional Handbag Techniques | 2.5 | |
| LD 471 - The Accessories Industry | 2.5 | |
| LD 492 - Portfolio Development | 3 | |
| RELATED AREA | choice - see Requirements:Major/ Related Area Elective(s) | 3 |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements: Liberal Arts/Foreign Language | 3 |
| Semester 8 | ||
| MAJOR AREA | LD 491 - Accessories Design Senior Project | 3 |
| RELATED AREA | IC 497 - Senior Internship: Career Planning | 3 |
| choice - see Requirements:Major/ Related Area Elective(s) | 3 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | choice - see Requirements | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| PE/HEALTH | 1 | |
| MAJOR AREA | 27 | |
| RELATED AREA | 15 | |
| LIBERAL ARTS | 18 | |
| Total Credits: | 61 | |
Fall 2025 Requirements: See below.
Major/Related Area Elective(s): 6 credits. CHOICE of LD 112, 181, 182, 184, 185 or any related area elective courses in Art and Design (for which prerequisites have been met) totaling 6 credits.
Liberal Arts and Sciences Course Content Requirements
(24 AAS credits* + 18 BFA credits = 42 credits total)
- English: 6 credits
- History of Art: 12 credits.
- HA 344
- 3 credits CHOICE of one (1) HA course that meets General Education Other World Civilizations requirement (meets G9)
- 6 credits CHOICE of (3) additional courses (See the full list of Art/Design History courses under HA: History of Art and Civilization. (meets G7)*.
- Foreign Language: 6 credits. Two semesters of the same foreign language, one of which must meet General Education Foreign Language requirement (G8)
- Mathematics: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any MA that meets SUNY G2*
- Natural Science: 3 credits.
- CHOICE of any SC that meets SUNY G3*
- General Education: 3 credits. CHOICE of one additional SUNY General Education Area*:
- Social Sciences (G4)
- Western Civilization (G5)
- Arts (G6)
- American History (G10)
Liberal Arts Elective(s): 9 credits.* Select a Liberal Arts course (for which prerequisites have been met) from the following subject areas: AB (Arabic); CH (Chinese); EC (Economics); EN (English); FI (Film and Media Studies); FR (French); HA (History of Art); HE (Health Education) HE 201, HE 301; IT (Italian); JA (Japanese); HI (History); MA (Math); MC (Modern Languages and Cultures); MU (Music); PC (Political Science); PE (Physical Education and Dance) PE 215, PE 216, PE 217; PL (Philosophy); PO (Portuguese); PY (Psychology); SC (Science); SO (Sociology); SP (Spanish); and SS (Social Sciences). See Liberal Arts Courses.
NOTE: Students who hold an AAS degree from the School of Art and Design and who wish to transfer into the BFA program from the following majors: Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, Menswear and Textile/Surface Design are required to complete LD 133 and LD 143 prior to fifth semester.
Students who hold an AAS degree from the School of Art and Design and who wish to transfer into the BFA program from the following majors: Communication Design Pathways, Fine Arts, Illustration, Interior Design and Photography are required to complete the one-yr AAS degree in Footwear & Accessories Design prior to starting fifth semester.
Students who hold an AAS degree from the School of Business and Technology or Liberal Arts and who wish to transfer into the BFA program from the following majors are required to complete the one-yr AAS degree in Footwear and Accessories Design prior to starting fifth semester.
*Credits from AAS will apply as appropriate
FIT’s 2+2 degree structure requires an earned AAS or equivalent plus all the BS or BFA degree requirements. For more information, please see Requirements for Degree Completion.
Students who successfully complete the Footwear & Accessories Design BFA degree will be able to:
- Research, analyze, and creatively illustrate the historical relevance of fashion evolution, innovation, and trends.
- Design and create accessories that address a need in the current market using learned assembly techniques, inventive materials, and trend research.
- Develop an accessories business plan and deliver a coherent, articulate oral presentation.
- Identify technology and apply, either digitally or manually, to the creation of fashion, theatrical, and athletic accessories.
- Prepare, organize, and present a professional-level portfolio for internship and employment opportunities.