Alteration Specialist

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Alteration Specialist is designed to prepare students for employment in alterations for the apparel industry. Students will develop skills in advanced clothing construction, tailoring and couture techniques appropriate for a variety of fabrics and designs, and fitting techniques for all types of apparel. They will develop the ability to select appropriate fashion fabrics, interfacing, and lining materials for specific items of apparel. Students completing this certificate will be able to alter and repair ready-made garments in entry level positions in the alteration profession for retailers, dry-cleaning industry or their own alteration establishment. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Fashion Design is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Alteration Specialist (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5556
Total credits required
19-27
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Spring 2021
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Identify job opportunities available in the needle trades.
  2. Choose and explain the basic alteration process that should be applied to a particular alteration problem.
  3. Select fashion fabric, lining, interfacing, patterns, and notions appropriate for constructing, altering or repairing specific garments.
  4. Apply advanced construction techniques correctly on samples and garments.
  5. Operate a serger.
  6. Describe properties, use, and care of major textile fibers.
  7. Construct and alter a tailored or couture garment using techniques, equipment, and supplies required for the tailoring process.
  8. Perform assigned career duties in a work setting.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers

$33,040

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Option 1 Sequence

This option may include variable full-time (12 to 18 credits per semester) and/or part-time (11 credit hours or less per semester) status by term due to course prerequisites and scheduling. Speak to an academic advisor for details.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC110 Basic Sewing Skills Critical course Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC111 Clothing Construction Critical course OR Permission of Program Director 0–3
TEC130 Alteration of Ready Made Garments 3
TEC222 Textiles 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC122 Sewing with Knits 3
TEC124 Advanced Apparel Construction 3
TEC129 Sewing with a Serger 3
TEC277++ Any Alteration Internship Course 1–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC223 or
TEC227		 Tailoring or Couture Sewing 3

Option 2 Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC110 Basic Sewing Skills Critical course Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC111 Clothing Construction Critical course OR Permission of Program Director 0–3
TEC130 Alteration of Ready Made Garments 3
TEC222 Textiles 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC124 Advanced Apparel Construction 3
TEC129 Sewing with a Serger 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
TEC122 Sewing with Knits 3
TEC223 or
TEC227		 Tailoring or Couture Sewing 3
TEC277++ Any Alteration Internship Course 1–3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=167121).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.