Retail Merchandising Minor

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

View of a student studying.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Anne-Marie Junker, Instructor
School of Health and Consumer Sciences
Wagner Hall 435, Box 2275A
605-688-4002

Program Information

A minor in Retail Merchandising will provide a focus on the retail and merchandising function and will provide opportunities for students to become professionals capable of entering the workforce of retail and fashion. The minor is a way for students to diversify their education and incorporate analytical thinking, business skills, and global apparel perspective into their overall academic experience. The coursework is designed to prepare students with a better understanding of the retail and merchandising function in the apparel and fashion industry, which will expand their understanding of how the retail experience and the merchandise meets the needs of the consumer, allows them to identify the origins and meanings of trends, and broadens their understanding of the political, economic, and social factors that play a role in the global market.

Course Delivery Format

Students learn through lecture, laboratory, and hands-on learning experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the minor in Retail Merchandising will:

Define terminology, concepts, and theories related to the apparel industry, retail environment, and the role of fashion in society.
Demonstrate understanding of the economic, political, and social issues that underlie the global apparel industry.
Recognize and appraise the strategic and operations-oriented policies, methods, and procedures used by successful retailers in today’s global economy.
Identify the origins of trends and examine their influence on the consumer market.

Academic Requirements

Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising majors are not eligible for the minor.

Requirements for Retail Merchandising Minor: 18 Credits

FSRM 172 - Introduction to Apparel Merchandising Credits: 2
FSRM 372 - Trending and Buying Credits: 3
FSRM 462 - Retail Management Credits: 3
FSRM 473 - Global Sourcing Credits: 2
FSRM 473L - Global Sourcing Lab Credits: 1

Select from the following

Select 7 credits from the following list. Credits: 7

CS 282 - Customer Service Credits: 3
CS 381 - Professional Behavior at Work Credits: 3
FSRM 253 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3
FSRM 315 - Apparel Design Credits: 2
FSRM 315L - Apparel Design Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 352 - History of Dress in the Western World Credits: 3
FSRM 361 - Aesthetics Credits: 3
FSRM 472 - Merchandising Credits: 2
FSRM 472L - Merchandising Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 477 - Current Issues in the Workplace Credits: 1
FSRM 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (1 credit required)