Whether you’re just starting out in the fashion world, or have been in it for years, it always pays off to learn something new.  Thanks to advances in online education technology, it’s not as difficult as you might think.  It used to be that changing careers or preparing for a management position could mean turning your life upside down.  But these days there are a number of ways get started without quitting your day job to go back to school full time.

No Experience Required

Parsons The New School for Design, is one of the most prestigious art and design schools in the country.  It’s former students include the likes of Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Derek Lam Alexander Wang, and many more.  Parsons offers the following two fashion programs online:

• Noncredit Certificate in Fashion Business This certificate focuses primarily on the fundamentals of merchandising: market research, project planning & development, as well as presentation skills.

• AAS in Fashion Marketing This Associates degree program will dive a little bit deeper than the certificate program in the everyday skills needed to run and market a fashion design company, by providing students with technical CAD (computer aided design) skills as well as public relations, marketing, publishing and buying capabilities.

Programs Requiring Some Experience

If you’ve already got a few college credits under your belt but are not quite ready for graduate-level learning, you might be interested in finishing your Associates degree through FIT’s online programs. Like parsons, FIT is something of a legend as design schools go.  Fashion giants Calvin Klein and Brian Atwood spent some time here, so you’ll be in good company.

• AAS in Fashion Merchandising Management This Associates Degree program is design for students who have already earned a minimum of 30 hours of college credit.  The program takes about a year to complete, and covers topics such as fashion marketing and advertising, as well as merchandising math applications and retail management.

Advanced Learning

For those who already have a degree in design looking to expand their knowledge along with their business, SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) offers a couple of online graduate programs that will take your understanding of the fashion world to the next level. SCAD was founded in 1978 and since then has grown to include four campuses and a very robust online degree offering.

• M.A. in Fashion This Masters program focuses on fashion materials and structures.  drawing and illustration skills, as well as computer-enhanced fashion design.

• M.A. in Luxury and Fashion Management. This Masters program covers some of the more technical aspects of running a design business.  Things like supply chain management, marketing of luxury goods, Computer-enhanced fashion marketing, Fashion management are covered in depth.

Learning Through Real World Experience

While all of this online learning is great, don’t forget that one of the best ways to learn is by doing. Apply for an apprenticeship or an internship position (You don’t have to be a college student to do an internship!)  Or jump right in and find a business partner or mentor that can show you the ropes firsthand. You don’t have to do it all alone.  Start frequenting industry events and making connections that count!