Program: Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising (B.S.) - South Dakota State University

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 07, 2025

Two students in class working with a top.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Anne-Marie Junker, Program Coordinator
School of Health and Human Sciences
Wagner Hall 425, Box 2275A
605-688-5161

Program Information

A career in Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising is perfect for those with a flair for creativity and a passion for analytics. Students in Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising acquire an in-depth knowledge of people and their behavior, an understanding of the world at large and technical knowledge and skills to select, plan and present the right merchandise to the right consumer at the right time. Graduates are prepared to work in online and brick and mortar markets. Careers as store or department manager, buyer or visual merchandiser, ecommerce specialist, sourcing specialist, and style consultant are possible.

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

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences:
ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
or
ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
and SGR #3 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
ARTH 100 - Art Appreciation (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3
  and
HIST 121 - Western Civilization I (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3
  or
HIST 122 - Western Civilization II (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements

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

Major Requirements

ACCT 210 - Principles of Accounting I (COM) Credits: 3
ADV 314 - Digital Promotions Credits: 3
or MCOM 219 - Social Media Strategies Credits: 3
BADM / MGMT 334 - Small Business Management (COM) Credits: 3
or BADM /MGMT 360 - Organization and Management (COM) Credits: 3
CA 230 - Consumer Behavior Credits: 3
CA 430 - Consumer Decision Making Credits: 3
CS 282 - Customer Service Credits: 3
CS 377 - Professional Documents Credits: 1
CS 381 - Professional Behavior at Work Credits: 3
FSRM 172 - Introduction to Apparel Merchandising Credits: 2
FSRM 231 - Ready-To-Wear Analysis Credits: 2
FSRM 231L - Ready-To-Wear Analysis Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 242 - Textiles I Credits: 2
FSRM 242L - Textiles I Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 253 - Socio-Psychological Aspects of Dress Credits: 3
FSRM 274 - Fashion Promotion Credits: 2
FSRM 274L - Fashion Promotion Lab Credits: 1
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 372 - Trending and Buying Credits: 3
FSRM 462 - Retail Management Credits: 3
FSRM 472 - Merchandising Credits: 2
FSRM 472L - Merchandising Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 473 - Global Sourcing Credits: 2
FSRM 473L - Global Sourcing Lab Credits: 1
FSRM 480 - Travel Studies Credits: 1-5 (1 credit required)
FSRM 490 - Seminar (COM) Credits: 3
FSRM 495 - Practicum (COM) Credits: 3
LDR 210 - Foundations of Leadership Credits: 3
LDR 435 - Organizational Leadership and Team Development Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	30 Credit Hours
College of Education and Human Sciences Requirements	4 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	70 Credit Hours
Electives**	16 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**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.

Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising (B.S.)

Fashion Studies and Retail Merchandising (B.S.)

Location(s): Brookings Main CampusClose