M.S. Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design

Admission and Fees

The M.S. in Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, and Design program is open to students of all educational backgrounds. A four-year college degree is required. The undergraduate degree may be in textiles and clothing, or in a related field. Students with a undergraduate degree from an area different from textiles and clothing will need to complete pre-requisite courses without graduate credit.

To apply, complete the online application at the URI Graduate School website. You are able to complete the personal statement, address information, pay the application fee, upload your resume and transcripts, and ask your references to submit their letters of recommendation online. Limit uploads of your previous work to the single best example.

English Proficiency Exam Update

International candidates please see updates to alternatives to TOEFL/IELTS.

Deadlines

Fall Enrollment: July 1 for all students; February 1 for international candidates.

Spring Enrollment: November 1 for all students; July 1 for international students. February 1 for all students seeking consideration for financial assistance.

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Application Requirements

  • Application Requirements
  • Application fee
  • Personal statement: This statement should outline your academic and professional background, interests and goals.
    Writing Sample*
  • If accepted, please contact each institution and have them send the official transcript directly, either electronically or a paper version via the following:
    • Official electronic transcripts may be sent via Credentials Solutions, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse. Please be sure to designate the URI Graduate School so that we may receive the transcripts.
    • Official paper transcripts should be sent to the mailing address below. Foreign, non-evaluated official transcripts must be in English, or translated by a certified translator, and sent in a sealed envelope directly from the original institution or translator to: 
         ATTN: Admission Office
         URI Graduate School
         55 Lower College Road, 204 Quinn Hall
         Kingston, RI 02881
  • Two letters of recommendation. These letters should focus on your ability to do graduate level work, your ability to contribute to the program, your motivation to complete the program, or your ability to work cooperatively.
  • Professional Resume
  • Certificate of Residency for RI residents or qualified regional applicants. The form will need to be emailed as a pdf to the URI Graduate School at urigrad@etal.uri.edu. Read the RI residency guidelines.
  • If English is not your native language, you’ll need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores (taken within the last two years). A minimum score of 91 for TOEFL under the new IBT-Internet Based Test or 575 under the paper-based testing, and minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS is required. The URI Designated Institution Code for TOEFL is 3919.
    • TOEFL (taken before January 21, 2026): A minimum overall score of 80 (and minimum for reading: 19, writing: 18, listening: 17, and speaking: 18)
    • TOEFL (taken after January 21, 2026): A minimum overall score of 4 (and minimum for reading: 4, writing: 4, listening: 4, and speaking: 4)
    • IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.5 (and minimum for reading: 6.5, writing: 6.5, listening: 6.5, and speaking: 6.5)
  • Please note, neither the GRE nor GMAT is not required for admission.

Tuition & Fees

Estimated costs

Financial Aid: Graduate assistantships, scholarships, awards, and fellowships are available on a competitive basis through the Graduate School. The University has encouraged matriculation of qualified minority applicants through diversity assistantships. Occasionally hourly contract work pays qualified students on an hourly basis.

Veterans: As a Veteran student you may qualify for in-state tuition. To see if you are eligible, refer to the state’s Residency Policy. 

Tuition Waivers: Unemployment, Senior Citizen, Disabled Veteran, and RI National Guard Tuition Waivers are available for eligible Rhode Island residents. See waiver eligibility details or call 401.874.9500.

For all details on tuition, fees, financial aid and payment options, visit URI Enrollment Services.

Contact

For more information about this program, please contact Saheli Goswami