Retail & Merchandising MS
Major: Retail & Merchandising
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.0212
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 41-1011
About the Program
The MS in Retail & Merchandising is designed for early to mid-career professionals in retail and merchandising and for those who are looking to make a career change into the industry. Students will develop advanced skills to think critically, consider theoretical perspectives, research and solve problems, and implement innovative solutions in a dynamic global marketplace inclusive of lifestyle areas such as home, beauty and personal care, health and wellness, prepared foods, and pet products.
The two-year program is structured with a year of core curriculum followed by a year of in-depth research, data collection, and completion of a project or thesis. Program content will challenge and engross students in the areas of analytical and critical-thinking, retail data analysis, visual and retail communication, technological movements, social media, and merchandising and retail “future” strategies through academic and applied learning online and in the field. Graduates will pursue leadership roles and career growth in the areas of retail, merchandising, supply-chain, and brand industries.
Additional Information
For more information please visit the Westphal College Graduate webpage.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a GPA of 3.0 or above, GRE test scores may be required for applicants with less than a 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two letters of recommendation (professional references preferred)
- Personal statement (500 words) that addresses:
- Why do you want to pursue a graduate degree in retail & merchandising at Drexel?
- What do you consider to be the most important problem facing the retail industry today, and how will it affect the industry you will manage in the future?
- What are the short-term and long-term plans for your career in the retail industry, and how will a degree in retail & merchandising at Drexel further those objectives?
Degree Requirements
| Core Requirements | ||
| RMER 500 | Retail Merchandising | 3.0 |
| RMER 510 | Research Methods in Retail & Merchandising | 4.0 |
| RMER 520 | Retail: Social and Cultural Issues | 3.0 |
| RMER 530 | Retail Lifestyle Product Analytics | 3.0 |
| RMER 535 | Retail Lifestyle Product Forecasting | 3.0 |
| RMER 540 | Retail Brand Storytelling | 3.0 |
| RMER 550 | Retail Store Technology & Visual Display | 3.0 |
| RMER 560 | Selling Techniques & Strategies | 3.0 |
| RMER 570 | Retail Supply Chain Analysis | 3.0 |
| RMER 580 | Retail & Merchandising Seminar in Leadership | 3.0 |
| RMER 585 | The Inclusive Retail Leader | 4.0 |
| RMER 600 | Retail Futures | 3.0 |
| RMER 697 | Research & Data Collection | 3.0 |
| RMER 698 | Project/Research Thesis | 4.0 |
| Total Credits | 45.0 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| RMER 500 | 3.0 | RMER 530 | 3.0 | RMER 540 | 3.0 | RMER 560 | 3.0 |
| RMER 520 | 3.0 | RMER 535 | 3.0 | RMER 550 | 3.0 | RMER 585 | 4.0 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| RMER 570 | 3.0 | RMER 510 | 4.0 | RMER 697 | 3.0 | ||
| RMER 580 | 3.0 | RMER 600 | 3.0 | RMER 698 | 4.0 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 7 | |||||
| Total Credits 45 | |||||||
Program Level Outcomes
- Demonstrate advanced skills in corporate and market research, wrlitten communication and visual presentation as applicable in the retail industry
- Demonstrate the aptitude to analyze and interpret historical and current retail data integrating theoretical principles, data computationJ pr,oduct evaluation, visual acuity, and retail and consumer analysis
- Demonstrate the ability to assess merohandising technologies and the related impact on development, buying, manufacturing, shipping and retailing
- Demonstrate proficiency of global product supply chains that impact design, production, and consumption
- Demonstrate an understanding of the confJuenoe of corporate culture, retajl management, merchandising strategiesJ sales and retail analysis, product qualityJ and future goals as they relate to leadership in the organization
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct an advanced research project by applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies and then analyze the results using critical analytical thinking skills