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Portland Fashion Institute -- Oregon's only private nonprofit fashion design college

Portland Fashion Institute is a nationally accredited private nonprofit career institute of higher learning and Portland’s only accredited fashion design college.

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Career Program Q&A

PFI offers Associate of Applied Science Degrees. What is an AAS? What is its value?

An associate of applied science degree, or AAS, is a two-year associate-level college degree with a focus on a particular applied science or technical skill. Students spend the majority of their coursework in technical courses directly related to their chosen area of study, e.g., apparel. It can be one of the quickest paths to a stable, well-paying career and, for that reason, is considered a “terminal” degree, equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. Having a degree allows you to more easily matriculate to other colleges.

How much does a PFI AAS Degree cost?

— Apparel Designer:  $24,750
— Apparel Technical Developer:  $24,750
— Apparel Entrepreneur: $24,750

Do I need to take General Education classes to get an AAS? If so, how many? Where can I take the general education courses if I haven’t already?

Yes. You must take six general education classes for a total of 23 credit hours. Ten hours must be in English Composition. Refer to the program guides for the name and course number for each. If you have already taken these classes, submit an official transcript the same time that you apply to PFI.

We do not offer these courses at PFI but you can take them in the greater Portland area at Chemeketa Community College, Clark College, Mount Hood Community College, Portland Community College, and Pacific Northwest College of Art/Willamette University.

What about books and other materials?

PFI doesn’t like textbooks.  They are expensive and typically useless after you take a class.  Since our teachers work in the industry, they have knowledge and handouts current to industry information.  For the two or three classes where we require textbooks, such as patternmaking, they are either included in your class fee or available from the library or Amazon.  These texts you will use as reference books for the rest of your fashion career.

If the syllabus calls for a computer program, know that this program is critical to the apparel industry.

Can I get financial aid?  Do you accept college savings plan (529) funds?

PFI is applying for Title IV financing. Meanwhile, PFI:
— Is on the Workforce training provider list with the state of Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Council.  Look to them to provide you with training funds.
– Accepts Veterans and VocRehab funds. Talk to your counselor about how to use your funds.
— Is approved by Oregon College Savings Plan (OCSP) to accept 529 funds.  Click here for details.
Bottom line:  We keep our class fees affordable.  We believe in #schoolwithoutdebt. We have other granting and funding sources. Once you enroll, talk to admissions about payment plans.

Are all the classes held in person at PFI or are some taught online?

We like to teach hands on classes in person.  We teach lecture, computer and some design classes online through interactive distance learning. To see if you are ready for online classes, click here.  See the next paragraph for information on general education courses.

What if I’ve already taken some of these classes?

You can transfer credits from fashion design classes already taken.  Here are the rules:

• Only an official transcript may be used to apply transfer credit to the student’s record at Portland Fashion Institute.
• Transfer evaluations are based on the current transfer policies during the student’s date of admission and will be binding for the student’s entire matriculation at Portland Fashion Institute. Subsequent evaluations are not permitted unless the student changes his or her degree (i.e. from Apparel Designer to Technical Developer).
• Coursework from accredited post-secondary institutions will be considered for transfer if it carries the equivalent credit, prerequisites, content and level of instruction. Remedial or pre-college courses are not eligible for transfer except as stated in certain articulation agreements.
• Coursework presented for transfer must be successfully completed with a letter grade of “C” or above or a grade of “pass” in a pass/fail course.
• PFI will accept 23 QCH in general education courses as listed on page 16 and a maximum of 24 QCH in fashion courses.
• Students should within five business days after acceptance to PFI make an appointment with a PFI subject matter expert and supply transcripts, grades and final projects from prior coursework. The subject matter expert will review projects and give the student a qualifications test. With a score of 95 percent or more, a student can “test out’ of the given course. Each qualifications test costs $45 per exam.
• Fashion related units completed at another institution after the student has started a degree at Portland Fashion Institute will not be considered for transfer.
Can I start one program and then change to another if I change my mind?

Yes.  Our registrar will walk you through the options.

Do you help us get jobs after schooling?

We offer career services for those in our diploma programs.  By accreditation rules we can’t guarantee you employment but we work hard to match your skills  to a job and place you.  To day, more than 80 percent have gone into internships and jobs in the apparel industry and are working for companies from independent designers to major corporations.  Of the remainder, some have started their own retail stores.  Others have started their own clothing lines.

I’m not sure which program is right for me, how do I choose?

Apparel Designer is for visionaries who have a constant flow of ideas they keep in a sketchbook and know they can sell.  Technical Developer is computer-focused and the most likely to win a job in the apparel industry.  Apparel Entrepreneur is for those who want to start their own business and is sometimes called Fashion Marketing and Merchandising.  Talk to admissions for more details.

Can I start at any time, or do I have to begin in the Fall?

You can start any term.  PFI is on quarters.  Each term lasts twelve weeks except Summer term.  It is a six-week intensive that takes place in July and August.

Are these pass/no pass classes or do I get grades?

All class projects are evaluated for grade.

Are classrooms and equipment available between class times?

Yes, for enrollees only.  Enrollees pay an activity fee each term to use the computer, pattern, draping, industrial, sewing and cutting rooms during studio hours.  You need to haven taken the prerequisite class to know how to use certain equipment.

Have other questions?  Read more here.  Contact us at 503-927-5457 or info@pfi.edu

Want to try before you buy and still get credit for the classes taken? You might like Continuing Education.

Ready to apply?  Go here

What classes do you offer?

For class offerings for fun, download our Class Flyer

DOWNLOAD CLASS FLYER

Or if you are interested in a Career Path, you can download our class catelog:

DOWNLOAD PFI CATALOG

For class offerings for fun, download our Class Flyer

DOWNLOAD CLASS FLYER

No. We were founded to offer both “Classes for Fun. Classes for Careers.” Whether you take one class or several or pursue a diploma, our mission is to give you real skills and real world knowledge.

Yes, we have a page dedicated to Continuing Education.

Yes, contact info@pfi.edu to set up an appointment.

No student housing. But there are several apartments close by and more are being built every day. For your search, focus on rentals available in zip codes 97212-97215 and 97232. Portland is a very walkable town. Many ride bikes or use BikeTown rentals. PFI is also located near mass transit, 7 blocks north of the Hollywood Max station or 1 block north of the #12 bus stop at 43rd & Sandy. There are many restaurants, bistros and grocery stores in our neighborhood.

No. With a “class for fun”, unless you have applied for a career program or filled out the continuing education form and paid fees, you are registering for a non-credit class(es) at Portland Fashion Institute for the beginning dates, ending dates, clock hours and costs as listed on the webpage. Your attendance will be monitored, but your projects will not be evaluated and you will not get a grade. You also agree that you have read and understand PFI’s Cancellation, Refund & Student Conduct Policy.

We are apparel people teaching apparel people. You learn from professionals. All of our instructors have apparel industry experience and are employed in the industry. We teach techniques used in the apparel industry. You can take classes whether you are pursuing a career, continuing your education or just want to take one class.

Yes- in the summer July/August. Please subscribe to our newsletter (the form is at the bottom of the homepage) so you will get notified when registration opens for future classes. Summer kids classes are very popular and fill up fast – so act fast.

For those enrolled in one of PFI’s diploma programs, please refer to your enrollment agreement. For others, refunds are available until 48 hours before class start; 24 hours before open sewing or a private lesson starts.  Contact info@pfi.edu  Cancellation policy for Optitex class:  No refunds after one week before class starts. No refunds or transfers after class, open sewing or private lesson starts. Please don’t forfeit your fees! Please let us know if you can’t come so someone else can use that class or lesson time.

For hands-on classes: We prefer you do your work in class. That can save a lot of seam ripping. If you do work between classes, be sure you have clear instruction from your teacher. For lecture classes: You may be asked to do research online to present in your next class. You may even be asked to go shopping!

When students miss a class, they are welcome to register for a Private Lesson or Open Sewing to catch up on their work. You can find both of these options under the Classes For Fun tab on the PFI website.

hen seeking a refund, please send your original transaction id or receipt for the given class. People use different names, e-mails and credit cards. Having the transaction id or receipt gets us to the right registration. Without the transaction id or receipt we may refund someone with a similar name. Purchaser gets an automatic notice as soon as they register for a class and as soon as they get a refund. Our standards are the same as those used by most any retailer. Per the credit card company, no refunds after 180 days from date of purchase. We would keep your purchase on file for use on another day up to one year from date of purchase.

We offer career services for those who enroll in a full programs. More than 80 percent have gone into internships and jobs in the apparel industry and are working for companies from independent designers to major corporations. Of the remainder, some have started their own retail stores or started their own clothing lines. A very few have gone into film and theater. To see some of our graduates, visit the PFI Alumni page.

Portland hosts 41 apparel manufacturers. Companies range from adidas, Columbia Sportswear and Nike to smaller companies such as Hanna Andersson, Jantzen/Perry Ellis, Kroger and Pendleton. All are invited to our career days, portfolio shows and graduate runway shows. Since members of our advisory board and our instructors are hiring managers, they attend and hire from these events or just by knowing the students. It’s been said that Portland is number three in the nation for apparel manufacturing.

Yes. We take Visa, Master Card, American Express and Discover. We also take payment over the phone. Find out more about financing a certificate program by contacting registrar@pfi.edu

PFI doesn’t offer loans. It isn’t supported by taxpayer dollars so it doesn’t yet have access to financial aid. Now that it is accredited, it is applying for Title IV eligibility. What PFI does accept:

— Payment from employers such a Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Hanna Anderson, Pendleton and the many other employers in the Greater Portland area.

— Payments from such places as WorkSource, Workforce, IRCO and Mercy Corps.

— Payment Plan information for full-time diploma program enrollees:

Bottom line: We keep our class fees affordable.

We do expect that the US Department of Education will soon approve PFI for Title IV eligibility. PFI would be able to issue 1099T tax forms to enrollees after that.

Classes must have a minimum of six students. During COVID, sewing classes have a maximum of eight. Patternmaking classes have a maximum of six. On-line classes have a maximum of twenty.

4301 NE Tillamook, Portland, OR
1 block north of NE 43rd & Sandy
BUS: #12 bus
MAX: 7 blocks from the Hollywood MAX station

Monday-Friday: 10 am-9 pm; Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. We take breaks between classes, during the holidays and the months of December and August. Be sure to check with us before coming over during those times.

Level 1 Help Desk (info@pfi.edu)
Technical issues with Populi
Issues with Zoom
Issues with Email Setup

Registrar (registrar@pfi.edu – or call (971) 801-7199)
Issues with Classes/Schedules
Financial Questions
Questions about transcripts

Director (director@pfi.edu or call the school @ (503) 927-5457)
Issues with Staff
Issues with the Building/Security
Issues with Internships/Graduation

PFI’s Online Learning Fee includes costs associated with administration, online class support, non-traditional course formats, and technology support. PFI charges per course or series rather than per credit (as is the cases with most institutions and colleges).

No emotional support animals are allowed in the buildings. PFI does not want to trigger other students’ or guests’ allergies that could be caused by the proximity of animals, or pet hair or dander infiltrating the fabric in the supply store.

Per the Americans with Disabilities Act and Oregon’s Service Animal Law, neither the Americans with Disabilities Act nor Oregon’s Service Animal Law includes what some people call “therapy” or “emotional support animals”. These ESA animals provide a sense of safety, companionship and comfort to those with psychiatric or emotional disabilities or conditions. Although ESA animals often have therapeutic benefits, they are not individually trained to perform specific tasks for their handlers. Under the ADA and Oregon law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow ESA, only service animals.

PFI cannot ask about a person’s disability or demand to see proof of the animal’s training but PFI can ask what tasks it performs for the person, such as these examples under the ADA:
– Hearing dogs, which alert their handlers to important sounds, such as alarms and doorbells.
– Guide dogs, which help those who are visually impaired to navigate safely.
– Psychiatric service animals, which help those with mental or emotional disabilities by, for example, interrupting self-harming behaviors, reminding handlers to take medication, checking spaces for intruders, or providing calming pressure during anxiety or panic attacks.
– Seizure alert animals, which let their handlers know of impending seizures, and may also guard their handlers during seizure activity.
– Allergen alert animals, which let their handlers know of foods that could be dangerous (such as peanuts).

Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. Oregon law uses the same definition, but uses the term assistance animals rather than service animals. Under the ADA and Oregon law, owners of public accommodations are not required to allow ESA, only service animals.

Unlike service animals, ESAs are not automatically allowed in commercial businesses and businesses have the right to accept or deny ESAs.

PFI is not required to allow ESAs into PFI buildings. If a student has a service animal, we ask 48 hours notice before allowing the animal into PFI buildings in order to notify other students and guests who may have concerns.

PFI prohibits discrimination against and among its customers, employees and students on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or whether all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program.

Its conduct policy is part of its policy manual and is in line with standards set by Oregon and national regulatory agencies. It is posted online here.

Yes. We have suggested amounts on-line. But you can purchase them over the phone, by mail or e-mail or in person for any amount you wish. Gift certificates are good for one year from date of purchase and are redeemable for classes or items from the supply store. For more, go to Gift Certificates.

Yes, we have a supply store. We sell fabric plus zippers, buttons, thread and other notions. Our prices are low because of our low overhead. We offer a 20 percent discount to current students. Hours for our supply store are on their website: portlandfashionsupply.com/