Design & Merchandising
About the Program
Bachelor of Science Degree: 180.0 quarter credits
Design and Merchandising students develop an appreciation for style and product quality, learn to communicate verbally and visually about design, and gain the business knowledge and skills required to promote an aesthetically grounded point of view in the global marketplace.
The Design and Merchandising program at the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design prepares students for the challenges of the business and design world. Students learn to create, merchandise, market, promote and distribute fashion products. The Design and Merchandising program, through study in the U.S. and options to study abroad, provides students with the skills to become global leaders and to adapt to an ever changing world.
The Design and Merchandising major prepares students to make merchandising and marketing decisions based on a knowledge of visual/aesthetic and business considerations. Design and Merchandising students develop an appreciation for style, product quality, and design; learn to communicate verbally and visually about design; and gain the business skills and knowledge required to promote and defend an aesthetically grounded point of view in the global marketplace.
Design and Merchandising majors typically focus study in the areas of fashion and fashion-related retail merchandising or product development. Elective credits may be used for a concentration in Retail Buying & Merchandising; Fashion Product Development; Fashion Promotion & Special Events; Merchandising Technologies; and Design Management for Design & Merchandising. Elective credits may also provide students with an option to minor in business administration, another discipline, or to pursue their specific educational goals.
For more information about this major, visit the College's Design and Merchandising page.
Degree Requirements
Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Design and Merchandising may complete a concentration in an area of study using free electives. Students may pursue more than one concentration or combine a concentration with a minor.
Concentration in Retail Buying & Merchandising
This concentration is designed to broaden students' practical and theoretical understanding of consumption as it relates to retail buying, management and merchandising. With the growth in cross-channel retail, students need to develop their skills not only for careers in traditional brick-and-mortar retailing establishments, but other retail models. These include: print and electronic based retailing (catalog, television, and Internet). In this concentration, students explore all major retail merchandising and marketing channels and their requirements for buying, staffing, technology, logistics, distribution, and organizational behavior.
Concentration in Fashion Product Development
This concentration analyzes the dominant forces shaping 21st century merchandising decisions, including global product sourcing, international retail development, and the increasingly important role of the consumer in product design. Students successfully completing this concentration develop practical applications to critical issues facing industry decision makers, understand supply chain management from the producer and retailer perspective, identify new markets for products and create strategies for entering those markets, implement merchandising strategies in sectors across the design industries and gain exposure to the latest technology and communication tools that support the industry.
Concentration in Fashion Promotion and Special Events
Through the Fashion Promotion and Special Events concentration students who are interested in a career in public relations, special events planning and marketing, creative and media direction within the design industries will have the opportunity to take classes inside and outside the AW College of Media Arts & Design. These partnerships will enhance the students' background in this area of specialization, and dramatically increase networking and employment opportunities.
Concentration in Merchandising Technologies
Merchandising utilizes technology on the front end for fashion product promotion and on the back end to research, design, source, produce and distribute fashion and home product. In this concentration, students will study topical issues in merchandising technologies through a variety of theory and "hands on" based courses. Upon completion of this concentration students will be familiar with the current technologies in play, analyze the appropriate uses of available technology and be familiar with emerging trends.
Concentration in Design Management in Design & Merchandising
Design management is a relatively new area of study for the design and merchandising student. This concentration is specifically designed to prepare the student to pursue Design Management at the graduate level.
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Arts and Humanities Electives * | 9.0 | |
| Social Science Electives ** | 9.0 | |
| Free Electives | 31.0 | |
| Visual Studies Requirements | ||
| ARTH 101 | History of Art I: Ancient to Medieval | 3.0 |
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| PHTO 110 | Photography | 3.0 |
| or PHTO 115 | Photographic Principles | |
| VSST 101 | Design I | 4.0 |
| VSST 102 | Design II | 4.0 |
| VSST 103 | Design III | 4.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| VSST 201 | Multimedia: Performance | 4.0 |
| VSST 202 | Multimedia: Space | 4.0 |
| VSST 203 | Multimedia: Materials | 4.0 |
| Professional Requirements | ||
| ACCT 115 | Financial Accounting Foundations | 4.0 |
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| DSMR 100 | Computer Imaging I | 3.0 |
| DSMR 201 | Analysis of Product | 3.0 |
| DSMR 210 | Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 211 | Computer Design for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 230 | Textiles for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 231 | Retail Principles | 3.0 |
| DSMR 232 | Retail Merchandise Planning | 4.0 |
| DSMR 310 | Computer Integrated Merchandising Management | 3.0 |
| DSMR 311 | Visual Merchandising | 4.0 |
| DSMR 333 | Fashion Product Development | 3.0 |
| DSMR 477 [WI] | Design & Merchandising Seminar | 3.0 |
| DSMR 496 [WI] | Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| FASH 201 | Survey of the Fashion Industry | 3.0 |
| MKTG 301 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
| Art History Electives *** | 6.0 | |
| Total Credits | 180.0 | |
| * | Suggested arts and humanities electives: ENGL 303 Science Fiction; ENGL 335 Mythology (Women in Literature); HIST 163HIST 163 Themes in World Civilization III; HIST 220 History of American Business; HIST 224 Women in American History; ENGL 335 Mythology; any foreign language. |
| ** | Suggested social science electives: SOC 210 Race and Ethnic Relations; SOC 215 Industrial Sociology; SOC 240 Urban Sociology; SOC 345 Sociology for the Environment; SOC 340 Globalization; SOC 495 Directed Studies in Sociology. |
| *** | Suggested art history electives: ARTH 335 History of Costume I: Preclassical to Directoire [WI] ; ARTH 336 History of Costume II: Directoire to World War I [WI] ; ARTH 477 Art History Seminar. |
Concentration Options
Retail Buying & Merchandising Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| DSMR 313 | International Fashion Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 314 | Visual Merchandising III | 4.0 |
| DSMR 324 | Retail Directions | 3.0 |
| DSMR 325 | Retail Buying and Assortment Strategies | 4.0 |
| Select three from the following: | 11.0 | |
| Color and Trend Forecasting | ||
| Fashion Product Promotion | ||
| Marketing Channels and Distribution Systems | ||
| Professional Personal Selling | ||
| Interactive Marketing | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Total Credits | 25.0 | |
Fashion Product Development Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| DSMR 313 | International Fashion Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 320 | Merchandising and Design Directions | 3.0 |
| DSMR 434 | Fashion Product Sourcing | 3.0 |
| Select four from the following: | 14.0 | |
| International Negotiations | ||
| Fashion Product Promotion | ||
| Culture and Values | ||
| International Business | ||
| International Trade | ||
| New Product Development | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Total Credits | 23.0 | |
Fashion Promotion and Special Events Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| DSMR 205 | eFashion Promotion | 3.0 |
| DSMR 326 | Fashion Product Promotion | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 2.0-3.0 | |
| Visual Merchandising II | ||
| Media Merchandising I | ||
| Fashion Show Production I | ||
| Select 13.0 - 14 additional credits from the following: | 13.0-14.0 | |
| Fundamentals of Journalism | ||
| Public Relations Principles and Theory | ||
| Message Design and Evaluation | ||
| International Public Relations | ||
| Media Merchandising II | ||
| Media Merchandising III | ||
| Music Merchandising | ||
| Fashion Show Production II | ||
| Style and the Media | ||
| Advertising & Integrated Marketing Communications | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Total Credits | 23.0 | |
| * | The pre-requisite for this course is COM 280. |
Merchandising Technologies Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| DSMR 205 | eFashion Promotion | 3.0 |
| DSMR 305 | eTailing | 3.0 |
| Select a minimum of 5 from the following: | 15.0 | |
| On-line Journalism * | ||
| Electronic Publishing | ||
| Web Development I | ||
| Web Development II ** | ||
| Web Development III *** | ||
| Overview of Digital Media | ||
| Digital Storytelling | ||
| Explorations in New Media | ||
| Visual Merchandising II | ||
| Media Merchandising II | ||
| Media Merchandising III | ||
| Total Credits | 21.0 | |
| * | |
| ** | The pre-requisite for this course is CT 230. |
| *** | The pre-requisite for this course is CT 240. |
Design Management in Design & Merchandising Concentration
| Required Courses | ||
| DSMR 205 | eFashion Promotion | 3.0 |
| DSMR 305 | eTailing | 3.0 |
| DSMR 313 | International Fashion Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 434 | Fashion Product Sourcing | 3.0 |
| Choose 11.0 -12.0 additional credits from the following: | 11.0-12.0 | |
| Business Law I | ||
| International Public Relations | ||
| International Negotiations | ||
| Culture and Values | ||
| International Business | ||
| International Trade | ||
| Technology Management | ||
| New Product Development | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Total Credits | 23.0 | |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Sample Plans of Study
Fall/Winter Co-op (Cycle A)
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FASH 201 | Survey of the Fashion Industry | 3.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 101 | Design I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 102 | Design II | 4.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| DSMR 100 | Computer Imaging I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| VSST 103 | Design III | 4.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ACCT 115 | Financial Accounting Foundations | 4.0 |
| ARTH 101 | History of Art I: Ancient to Medieval | 3.0 |
| DSMR 231 | Retail Principles | 3.0 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| DSMR 211 | Computer Design for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 232 | Retail Merchandise Planning | 4.0 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| DSMR 201 | Analysis of Product | 3.0 |
| DSMR 210 | Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 230 | Textiles for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| VSST 201 | Multimedia: Performance | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| VSST 203 | Multimedia: Materials | 4.0 |
| PHTO 115 or 110 | Photographic Principles Photography | 3.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| DSMR 310 | Computer Integrated Merchandising Management | 3.0 |
| DSMR 333 | Fashion Product Development | 3.0 |
| MKTG 301 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| DSMR 311 | Visual Merchandising | 4.0 |
| DSMR 477 [WI] | Design & Merchandising Seminar | 3.0 |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| DSMR 496 [WI] | Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| VSST 202 | Multimedia: Space | 4.0 |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| Free Electives | 9.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 12.0 | |
| Total Credit: 182.0 | ||
Fall/Winter Co-op (Cycle A - London Option)
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FASH 201 | Survey of the Fashion Industry | 3.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 101 | Design I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| VSST 102 | Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| DSMR 100 | Computer Imaging I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| VSST 103 | Design III | 4.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ACCT 115 | Financial Accounting Foundations | 4.0 |
| ARTH 101 | History of Art I: Ancient to Medieval | 3.0 |
| DSMR 210 | Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 231 | Retail Principles | 3.0 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| DSMR 211 | Computer Design for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| DSMR 201 | Analysis of Product | 3.0 |
| DSMR 230 | Textiles for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 232 | Retail Merchandise Planning | 4.0 |
| VSST 201 | Multimedia: Performance | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| DSMR 477 [WI] | Design & Merchandising Seminar | 3.0 |
| VSST 203 | Multimedia: Materials | 4.0 |
| PHTO 115 or 110 | Photographic Principles Photography | 3.0 |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| DSMR 310 | Computer Integrated Merchandising Management | 3.0 |
| DSMR 333 | Fashion Product Development | 3.0 |
| MKTG 301 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 13.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| London Option (History of Modern Design 4.5, Fashion Product Promotion 4.5, and 9 credits electives) | 18.0 | |
| Term Credits | 18.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| DSMR 496 [WI] | Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| Free Electives | 3.0 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 12.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| DSMR 311 | Visual Merchandising | 4.0 |
| VSST 202 | Multimedia: Space | 4.0 |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| Free Electives | 6.0 | |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Total Credit: 180.0 | ||
Spring/Summer (Co-op Cycle B)
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FASH 201 | Survey of the Fashion Industry | 3.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 101 | Design I | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 102 | Design II | 4.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| DSMR 100 | Computer Imaging I | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 119 | Mathematical Foundations for Design | 4.0 |
| VSST 103 | Design III | 4.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ACCT 115 | Financial Accounting Foundations | 4.0 |
| ARTH 101 | History of Art I: Ancient to Medieval | 3.0 |
| DSMR 231 | Retail Principles | 3.0 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| DSMR 232 | Retail Merchandise Planning | 4.0 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| DSMR 201 | Analysis of Product | 3.0 |
| DSMR 210 | Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 211 | Computer Design for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| DSMR 230 | Textiles for Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| VSST 201 | Multimedia: Performance | 4.0 |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| VSST 203 | Multimedia: Materials | 4.0 |
| PHTO 115 or 110 | Photographic Principles Photography | 3.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| DSMR 310 | Computer Integrated Merchandising Management | 3.0 |
| DSMR 333 | Fashion Product Development | 3.0 |
| MKTG 301 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 4.0 |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| DSMR 311 | Visual Merchandising | 4.0 |
| DSMR 477 [WI] | Design & Merchandising Seminar | 3.0 |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| DSMR 496 [WI] | Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising | 3.0 |
| Art History (ARTH) Elective | 3.0 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| VSST 202 | Multimedia: Space | 4.0 |
| Free Electives | 8.0 | |
| Social Science Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| Free Electives | 11.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 14.0 | |
| Total Credit: 183.0 | ||
Co-op/Career Opportunities
Opportunities
An education in Design & Merchandising prepares individuals for a wide variety of career paths. Graduates often pursue opportunities in retail operations and buying, fashion and home product development, fashion product promotion. More recently graduates select careers in merchandising technologies, or design management. Each of these areas is offered as a concentration, or the student may elect to choose a minor opening up an unlimited number of options.
Co-Op Experiences
Some past co-op employments of design and merchandising students include:
- Product Development Assistant, American Merchandising Corporation (AMC), New York, NY
- Assistant Buyer, Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie, Philadelphia, PA
- Product Development Assistant, Charming Shoppes, Bensalem, PA
- Design and Merchandising Assistant, Jones New York, New York, NY
- Public Relations Assistant, QVC, West Chester, PA
- Assistant Fashion Coordinator, Special Events Department, Saks Fifth Avenue
- Marketing Assistant, Lighting Design Collaborative, Philadelphia, PA
- Public Relations Assistant, Neiman Marcus, King of Prussia, PA
- Sales Associate, Neiman Marcus, King of Prussia, PA
- Assistant Buyer, Mothers Work, Philadelphia, PA
- Retail/Manufacturing/Merchandising Asst., Nicole Miller, Philadelphia PA
Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.
Dual/Accelerated Degree Program
Only available to Design and Merchandising majors (4-year with co-op), this dual degree program combines study in the areas of fashion retail merchandising and product development with the MBA degree. The program is designed to allow students to complete both the bachelor's degree and the Master of Business Administration degree in five years.
Incoming freshmen selected for this program will generally have a minimum of 1350 on the SAT, a GPA of 3.5 or better, and rank in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. A strong candidate for this program will have taken significant AP coursework while in high school.
Degree Requirements
BS in Design and Merchandising
MBA
Incoming students, 2012/2013
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) curriculum remains firmly grounded on the best features of the "traditional" MBA as it has evolved over half a century. Among these features is a broad overview of business, complemented by at least one area of specialization.
Goals of the MBA Program
Drexel University’s innovative, high-quality MBA program is recognized for its excellence and for its preparation of students for successful professional careers.
The MBA program is designed to:
- Integrate the foundations of business, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; organization theory; and practical aspects of institutional management
- Prepare students for managerial positions in business and other institutions
- Offer concentrations in various areas of management
- Capitalize on communication skills, people skills, global perspectives, technological competence, pragmatic emphasis, and ethical perspectives
Academic Preparation
All applicants to master’s programs in business are expected to hold a four-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution. The curriculum assumes that the student has knowledge of calculus. In addition, the curriculum assumes that students have personal access to and working knowledge of personal computers to facilitate their academic work.
Full-time, Part-Time, Online and Accelerated Options
Visit LeBow College's web site for information about additional MBA options.
Curriculum
| Foundation Courses | ||
| BUSN 505 | Financial Performance of the Firm - Accounting | 1.5 |
| BUSN 506 | Financial Performance of the Firm - Finance | 1.5 |
| BUSN 507 | Essentials of Economics I | 1.5 |
| BUSN 508 | Essentials of Economics II | 1.5 |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| ACCT 601 | Managerial Accounting | 3.0 |
| ECON 601 | Managerial Economics | 3.0 |
| FIN 601 | Corporate Financial Management | 3.0 |
| MGMT 601 | Managing the Total Enterprise | 3.0 |
| MGMT 602 | Managing Technology Innovation | 3.0 |
| MKTG 601 | Marketing Strategy & Planning | 3.0 |
| ORGB 625 | Leadership and Professional Development | 3.0 |
| POM 601 | Operations Management | 3.0 |
| STAT 601 | Business Statistics | 3.0 |
| Flexible Core Sequence | 6.0 | |
| Select two from the following lists: | ||
| Baida Center for Entrepreneurship | ||
| Corporate Venturing | ||
| New Venture Planning | ||
| Center for Corporate Governance | ||
| Legal Options in Decision Making | ||
| Corporate Governance | ||
| Center for Corporate Reputation Management | ||
| Corporate Brand & Reputation Management | ||
| Seminar In Marketing Management | ||
| International Business/Studies | ||
| International Business Management | ||
| Information Systems Outsourcing Management | ||
| Sovereign Institute for Strategic Leadership | ||
| Leading Effective Organizations | ||
| Negotiations for Leaders | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| MGMT 780 | Strategic Management | 3.0 |
| Concentrations | 9.0 | |
| Total Credits | 51.0 | |
Concentrations
Students selecting a concentration can choose from the following options:
- Business Analytics
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurship/Innovation Management
| Business Analytics Concentration | ||
| The Business Analytics concentration prepares students to make good business decisions with fact-based analysis and an under stranding of business performance from a systems view, using statistical and quantitative analysis of data as well as explanatory and predictive modeling. | ||
| Requirements | ||
| STAT 698 | Special Topics * | 3.0 |
| Select two of the following: | 6.0 | |
| Business & Economic Strategy: Game Theory & Applications | ||
| Business Conditions and Forecasting | ||
| Inter-Active Decision Support Systems | ||
| Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | ||
| System Simulation | ||
| Supply Chain Management | ||
| Applied Regression Analysis | ||
| Quality & Six-Sigma | ||
| Experimental Design | ||
| Total Credits | 9.0 | |
| * | Prerequisite is STAT 602. |
| Finance Concentration | ||
| Required Courses | 6.0 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Advanced Financial Management | ||
| Financial Institutions & Markets | ||
| Risk Management | ||
| Investment Management | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance | ||
| Mergers and Acquisitions | ||
| Business Conditions and Forecasting | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Seminar in Finance | ||
| Finance Electives | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Legal Aspects of Employment | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Business & Economic Strategy: Game Theory & Applications | ||
| Economic Analysis of Multinational Corporations | ||
| Knowledge Management | ||
| E-Commerce Systems I | ||
| Inter-Active Decision Support Systems | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Marketing Management Cases and Problems | ||
| Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | ||
| Management of Manufacturing Firms | ||
| Management of Service Firms | ||
| Quality & Six-Sigma | ||
| Total Credits | 9.0 | |
| Healthcare Concentration | ||
| BUSN 651 | Healthcare Business Practice I: Foundations | 3.0 |
| BUSN 652 | Healthcare Business Practice II | 3.0 |
| BUSN 653 | Healthcare Business Practice III: Capstone | 3.0 |
| Total Credits | 9.0 | |
| Marketing Concentration | ||
| Marketing Required Courses | 6.0 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Buyer Behavior Theory | ||
| Channels of Distribution Management | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communications Management | ||
| Business to Business Marketing | ||
| New Product Planning, Strategy, and Development | ||
| Services Marketing | ||
| Marketing Management Cases and Problems | ||
| Marketing Information Management and Research | ||
| Marketing Electives | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Business Conditions and Forecasting | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Economic Analysis of Multinational Corporations | ||
| Seminar in International Business | ||
| Knowledge Management | ||
| E-Commerce Systems I | ||
| Inter-Active Decision Support Systems | ||
| Database Analysis and Design for Business | ||
| Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | ||
| Management of Service Firms | ||
| Supply Chain Management | ||
| Quality & Six-Sigma | ||
| Total Credits | 9.0 | |
| Entrepreneurship/Innovation Management Concentration | ||
| Required Courses | 6.0 | |
| Select two of the following: | ||
| Legal Aspects of Employment | ||
| Legal Issues in New Ventures | ||
| Entrepreneurial Finance | ||
| Strategic Human Resource Management | ||
| Knowledge Management | ||
| E-Commerce Systems I | ||
| Inter-Active Decision Support Systems | ||
| Database Analysis and Design for Business | ||
| New Product Planning, Strategy, and Development | ||
| Electives | 3.0 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Macroeconomics | ||
| International Economics | ||
| Business & Economic Strategy: Game Theory & Applications | ||
| Advanced Financial Management | ||
| Risk Management | ||
| Mergers and Acquisitions | ||
| Business Conditions and Forecasting | ||
| International Financial Management | ||
| Comparative Financial Analysis | ||
| Economic Analysis of Multinational Corporations | ||
| Seminar in International Business | ||
| Knowledge Management | ||
| Buyer Behavior Theory | ||
| Channels of Distribution Management | ||
| Global Marketing | ||
| Integrated Marketing Communications Management | ||
| Services Marketing | ||
| Marketing Management Cases and Problems | ||
| Negotiations for Leaders | ||
| Managerial Decision Models and Simulation | ||
| Management of Manufacturing Firms | ||
| Management of Service Firms | ||
| Supply Chain Management | ||
| Quality & Six-Sigma | ||
| Total Credits | 9.0 | |
BS /MBA students may be waived from two MBA Enterprise Management courses, assuming a grade of B or better is earned in specified undergraduate courses. Students can review the Waiver Policies for the Statement of Curriculum Standing on the LeBow College's website for additional information.
The above conditions hold only for fully accepted BS /MBA students as identified by Enrollment Management.
Additional requirements for the dual degree program
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 is required throughout the program.
- Students must take the GMAT examination and achieve a minimum score of 570 prior to the end of the tenth term in order to continue in the program. It is recommended that students take the GMAT examination late in the student's third year.
- Students must submit an acceptable of plan of study at least three terms before anticipated start of graduate part of the program.
Students should visit the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design for more information.
Courses
DSMR 100 Computer Imaging I 3.0 Credits
This course explores current potentials, limitations, and issues related to use of computer design software applications. Projects include graphics creation and manipulation; image acquisition, text creation and manipulation; typography; input and output options and control; hardware/software/system fundamentals; and troubleshooting as they relate to the D&M Major.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR or major is EAM.
DSMR 201 Analysis of Product 3.0 Credits
This course examines the methods by which non-apparel products are conceived, designed and brought to market. Students learn to recognize the importance of design integrity in the areas of home furnishing, cosmetics, accessories, paper products, footwear, and industrial design.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
DSMR 205 eFashion Promotion 3.0 Credits
Utilizing current and commonly available technologies, students develop a communication plan to disseminate current trend and style information to end use customers. Students explore past, analyze and participate in the present and consider the future uses of new technologies in merchandising fashion apparel, accessories and home products.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 210 Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising 3.0 Credits
This course explores the various types of presentation/storyboard formats used within the industry in merchandising product. The student learns to create an array of presentations used for visual communication among all facets of the workplace as well as market research specific to the design industry.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: (VSST 102 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 105 [Min Grade: D]) and (VSCM 100 [Min Grade: D] or DSMR 100 [Min Grade: D])
DSMR 211 Computer Design for Design and Merchandising 3.0 Credits
This course addresses the use of computer design as a merchandising and design tool for branding and promoting a vendor or retail merchandising business. The student is introduced to the branding process from a visual and marketing viewpoint and will create specific marketing materials through the use of an assortment of computer software programs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: VSCM 100 [Min Grade: D] or DSMR 100 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 230 Textiles for Design and Merchandising 3.0 Credits
Examines the textile manufacturing industry and the fundamental processes involved in producing natural and man-made fabrics as they relate to Design & Merchandising. Includes basic terminology and production processes as well as selection and evaluation of fabrics based on aesthetics, performance and care characteristics.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR.
Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 231 Retail Principles 3.0 Credits
Examines retail philosophies within a marketing context, including understanding of how consumer behavior, present and future, determines retailers' marketing strategies; knowledge of product mix and product assortment; and understanding of operating retail ventures in the global marketplace.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 232 Retail Merchandise Planning 4.0 Credits
Provides a working knowledge of merchandise planning, flow, and distribution in the retail setting. Covers profitable merchandise and assortment planning and control in both conceptual and technical formats. Final project incorporates six-month financial, classification, and assortment planning.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ACCT 115 [Min Grade: D] or ECON 201 [Min Grade: D] or DSMR 231 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 233 [WI] Retail Image Analysis 3.0 Credits
Students will perform an in-depth analysis of theoretical and applied retail product and brand research. Qualitative, quantitative and triangulation methods of research will be discussed. The course focuses on researching, writing and presenting various topics in a professional environment. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
DSMR 305 eTailing 3.0 Credits
Students explore and analyze past, current and future trends in ecommerce technologies that primarily support the back end inventory, logistics and front end operations of the fashion apparel, accessory and home products industries.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 309 Color and Trend Forecasting 3.0 Credits
This course provides an overview of the fashion forecasting function in Fashion, Design & Merchandising. Students investigate color and trend forecasting, design research and concepts, and fabric direction. Students apply their knowledge in "hands on" color cards and development of a trend book.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 210 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 310 Computer Integrated Merchandising Management 3.0 Credits
This course focuses on the relationships between the merchandising, production and promotional elements of the apparel chain. Forecasting, line development, line production revisions, allocation of inventory, coordinated visual presentation and problem solving anomalies in the supply chain are integrated through the use of an assortment of computer programs.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 211 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 232 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 311 Visual Merchandising 4.0 Credits
Investigates merchandise presentation, analysis and experimentation, and field research.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: (VSST 103 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 106 [Min Grade: D]) and DSMR 211 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 312 Visual Merchandising II 3.0 Credits
Visual merchandising II is an in-depth look at exhibit design, where students explore the traditions, expectations and norms of exhibit design. Technological advances in exhibit design will be introduces and utilized to produce a visual outcome/presentation for exhibition purpose.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: (VSST 103 [Min Grade: D] or VSST 106 [Min Grade: D]) and DSMR 210 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 211 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 313 International Fashion Merchandising 3.0 Credits
Introduces students already familiar with U.S. retail merchandising to global retail merchandising. Develops a framework for the international merchandising process and discusses effects of globalization.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 231 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 314 Visual Merchandising III 4.0 Credits
Assuming the role of the Visual Merchandiser students apply Visual Merchandising principles to the area of store planning and design, analyze leading retailers and trends, develop an understanding of the use of materials and lighting "in store,"and learn to use industry software. This course is inter-disciplinary with Interior Design.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR or major is INTR and classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: DSMR 311 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 315 [WI] Media Merchandising I 3.0 Credits
Media Merchandising I explores the process of creating, designing and publishing the annual D & M Magazine and accompanying media. The students develop all content organized around theses of school, city, fashion, product and technology, their various intersections as it relates to design and merchandising. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: VSST 103 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 210 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 211 [Min Grade: D] and ENGL 103 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 316 Media Merchandising II 3.0 Credits
Media Merchandising II is a continuation of Media Merchandising I, where critical decisions with regard to informational articles, interviews, photography, graphic design, interactive media and paid advertisement are completed. The end result is the D & M Magazine, a distributable product with actual marketing potential.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: DSMR 315 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 317 Media Merchandising III 3.0 Credits
Students work in interdisciplinary groups to develop and produce episode based style programming for delivery on DUTV and through other media broadcast media outlets. Students will develop a promotional package for the overall program series.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR or major is FMVD and classification is Junior or Senior.
DSMR 318 Music Merchandising 3.0 Credits
Students work in interdisciplinary groups with Music Industry Program artists to create a comprehensive merchandise extension program including product selection, production, distribution and promotion within the context of the artists’ overall brand package.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR or major is EAM or major is MUSI and classification is Junior or Senior.
DSMR 320 Merchandising and Design Directions 3.0 Credits
Merchandising and Design Directions addresses the production of prototypes for a small collection of accessories or home products. The necessary collateral promotional materials for marketing these designs to a specific target market and retail outlet will also be created.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 6 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: VSST 103 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 210 [Min Grade: D] and DSMR 211 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 321 [WI] Fashion Show Production I 2.0 Credits
Limited enrollment. Covers planning and examination of the fashion show as a sales and marketing tool. Allows students to discuss and experience all aspects of a professional fashion show: set design, lighting, music, advertising and public relations, ticket sales and seating, organization of garments and accessories, choreography, models, judging, and hospitality. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
DSMR 322 Fashion Show Production II 2.0 Credits
Requires execution of the plans of Phase I. Involves rehearsals and production of the Annual Fashion Show.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: DSMR 321 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 324 Retail Directions 3.0 Credits
Students will explore current social and cultural topics and their impact on the Retail Industry.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 231 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 325 Retail Buying and Assortment Strategies 4.0 Credits
Advanced buying strategies focuses on in-season merchant operations of the merchant organization. Students develop assortment and promotional plans and learn to react to changes in their plans as the season unfolds. Students perform "hands on" tasks in conjunction with the D & M retail outlets.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 232 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 326 Fashion Product Promotion 4.0 Credits
This course examines aspects of Fashion Product Promotion in Design & Merchandising. Students will study a "host" city which will become integral in their retail promotional strategy. This course offers and optional field trip to the host city.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated 1 times for 4 credits
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR.
DSMR 333 Fashion Product Development 3.0 Credits
Provides an overview of both knitted and woven apparel. Covers the procedures and processes involved in apparel product development, particularly as related to retail merchandising and marketing. Considers styling as a reflection and a reinterpretation of current trends in specific markets.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: FASH 201 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 399 Independent Study in Design and Merchandising 12.0 Credits
Provides individualized study in design and merchandising in a specialized area of study. May be repeated for credit. Department permission required.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
DSMR 410 Career Strategies for Design and Merchandising 3.0 Credits
Course develops skills that enable the student to put into place an effective job search strategy. Specifically geared to the D&M professions, students develop comprehensive area of expertise including networking, industry research, and industry hiring trends.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Senior.
DSMR 411 Design and Merchandising Portfolio Design 3.0 Credits
Students will prepare a complete visual showcase of their marketability and skills. Accepted industry standards, targeting visual elements to specific job goals and self-promotion will be emphasized.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
DSMR 434 Fashion Product Sourcing 3.0 Credits
This course explores the history and growth of sourcing. Students consider the consumer benefits in terms of lower prices and quality. Sourcing is analyzed from the retail/product development point of view and will examine challenges they face in the global arena.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DSMR 433 [Min Grade: D]
DSMR 465 Special Topics in Design and Merchandising 0.5-12.0 Credits
Provides study in design and merchandising on a special topic or on an experimental basis. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 477 [WI] Design and Merchandising Seminar 3.0 Credits
Provides reading and discussion of pertinent topics of current concern in the professional area of design and merchandising. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if major is DSMR.
Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
DSMR 496 [WI] Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising 3.0 Credits
Provides an opportunity for the student to research, independently or within a group, an idea within the field of design-merchandising, synthesizing material and developing a presentation of that concept. This is a writing intensive course.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
