Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising (B.S.)

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Jane Hegland, Department Head
Department of Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 229
605-688-5196

Program Information

Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising is the perfect major for students who would like to spend their career in one of many roles in the dynamic, competitive, and creative fashion industry. After gaining a good understanding of fundamental business principles related to merchandising and globalization of the industry, they are qualified to become a store or department manager, buyer, or visual merchandiser. Our students also acquire a broad knowledge of people and their behavior, and an understanding of the world at large, and technical knowledge and skills to select fabrics and plan and produce fashion goods.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising major, students will:

possess foundational knowledge of concepts and theories that drive the multifaceted, global apparel and textile industry.
demonstrate critical thinking skills and creative problem skills related to the apparel and merchandising industry.
embrace customer service skills, display a broad aesthetic awareness, and capabilities with data analysis.

Course Delivery Format

Students learn through lecture, laboratory, and hands-on learning experiences. An 8-10 week (300 hour) full-time summer practicum compatible with career goals is a program requirement.

Requirements for Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101
or
SPCM 215
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity:
ECON 201
  or
ECON 202
  and
PSYC 101
  or
SOC 100
  Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity:
ARTH 100
  and
HIST 121
  or
HIST 122
  Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics:
MATH 114
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences
: Credits: 6

College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements

EHS 119 - EHS Seminar Credits: 2
EHS 319 - Life, Love, and Money Credits: 2

Consumer Sciences Department Requirements

CS / FSRM 282 - Customer Service Credits: 3
CS 377 - Professional Documents Credits: 1
LEAD / LMNO 435 - Organizational Leadership and Team Development Credits: 3

Major Requirements

CA / CS 230 - Consumer Behavior Credits: 3
CA / CS 430 - Consumer Decision Making Credits: 3
FSRM 172 - Introduction to Apparel Merchandising Credits: 2
FSRM 231-231L - Ready-To-Wear Analysis and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 242-242L - Textiles I and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 253 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3
FSRM 274-274L - Fashion Promotion and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 315-315L - Apparel Design and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 352 - History of Dress in the Western World Credits: 3
FSRM 361-361L - Aesthetics and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 372-372L - Trending and Buying and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 381 - Professional Behavior at Work Credits: 3
FSRM 462 - Retail Management Credits: 3
FSRM 472-472L - Merchandising and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 473-473L - Global Sourcing and Lab Credits: 3
FSRM 480 - Travel Studies Credits: 1-5 (1 credit required)
FSRM 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 3
FSRM 495 - Practicum Credits: 3
FSRM 477 - Current Issues in the Workplace Credits: 1
LEAD 210 - Foundations of Leadership Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Education and Human Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements	4 Credit Hours
Department of Consumer Sciences Requirements	7 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	55 Credit Hours
Electives**	24 Credit Hours

**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.