A Preliminary Study on Competency Extraction for Fashion Design and Merchandising Majors

The aim of this study is to identify the competencies required for fashion-related majors that meet contemporary demands, align with the objectives of university education, and reflect the qualities desired in graduates. To achieve this goal, we conducted content analysis of relevant data and in-depth interviews with experts. First, the content analysis involved coding key information from the introductions, educational goals, desired qualities of graduates, and curricula published on the websites of both South Korea and international fashion-related universities. Additionally, we analyzed the National Competency Standards (NCS) and the Meta-goals of higher education programs set by the International Textile Apparel Association (ITAA), extracting six core competencies. Second, in-depth interviews were conducted with six experts, each with 23 to 31 years of experience in Korean and international apparel industry and academia. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and keywords were extracted. To ensure the validity of the coding results, cross-checks were performed among the researchers. The analysis identified the following competencies: empathic communication, social responsibility, professional thinking, creative and integrative thinking, global perspective, and challenging leadership. Based on these findings, establishing competencies that meet contemporary demands and developing corresponding curricula are essential steps towards creating a feedback system. Future research should focus on developing and implementing curricula that foster a virtuous cycle, ultimately enhancing students' competency levels.