Fashion Industry and Merchandising BS
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Minimum Required Credits: 121
Co-op Option(s): One Co-op, No Co-op
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.1902
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 13-1022
About the Program
Drexel University's Fashion Industry & Merchandising program prepares students to navigate and lead within the rapidly evolving fashion lifestyle industries by integrating visual design, merchandising strategy, and business acumen. The Bachelor of Science degree educates students to conceptualize, plan, develop, market, and measure opportunities for products and services across physical retail, e-commerce, media, and emerging digital platforms. Students acquire comprehensive understanding of the product lifecycle—from sustainable textile applications and design processes to assortment planning, inventory optimization, and strategic pricing for business goals.
The multidisciplinary curriculum, grounded in both theory and practice, is delivered through immersive, experiential learning. Students complete an embedded fashion industry Buying Certificate from Merchant Academy and take business, marketing, and entrepreneurship core courses housed within the LeBow College of Business. Throughout their studies, students learn to integrate creative ideation with qualitative and quantitative market analytics, employing technologies such as artificial intelligence, retail mathematics, and industry data platforms to inform buying decisions and merchandise planning. Coursework emphasizes global cultural competence, collaborative leadership, and sustainability. Students also participate in Drexel's renowned cooperative education (co-op) program, spending six months away from the classroom gaining in-demand career skills, bringing products and services to consumers, and receiving exposure to valuable industry networks. Co-op opportunities in New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and other cities cultivate communication, leadership, and analytical skills while providing hands-on experience in the fashion lifestyle industries.
Graduates are prepared to demonstrate strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills; develop and execute innovative merchandising strategies; synthesize visual research with market data and retail trade insights to inform industry decision-making and strategic planning; and lead cross-functional teams within diverse global marketplaces. Career pathways include merchandising, buying, product development, sustainability consulting, wholesale management, trend forecasting, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, retail strategy, and entrepreneurship. Alumni advance into roles with leading global brands, including LVMH, Amazon, Levi's, Nuuly, Anthropologie, SKIMS, The North Face, Victoria's Secret, Calvin Klein, Macy's, Warby Parker, and others.
The Fashion Industry & Merchandising program uniquely integrates creative design thinking with data-driven merchandising strategy, business education, and sustainability embedded throughout the curriculum. Industry credentials, AI-enabled analytics, and a prominent six-month co-op prepare graduates with real-world experience, ethical global perspectives, and competitive readiness across retail, wholesale, digital commerce, and emerging fashion platforms.
Additional Information
For more information about this program, please contact the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.
Admission Requirements
Same as Drexel Admissions-Optional Portfolio and required supplemental essay.
Degree Requirements
| University Requirements | ||
| EXP 1001 | Introduction to Experiential Learning | 3.0 |
| WRIT 1100 | Composition and Rhetoric I | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1110 | English Composition I | |
| WRIT 1200 | Composition and Rhetoric II | 3.0 |
| or WRIT 1210 | English Composition II | |
| Introductory Core Competencies 1 | ||
| Select one course from each of the three (3) categories | 6.0 | |
Introductory: Inquire and Analyze | ||
Introductory: Collaborate and Integrate | ||
Introductory: Apply and Engage-satified by Making and Storytelling-Creative Process in the College Requirements below | ||
| Free Electives | 15.0 | |
| College Requirements | ||
| Select one course from each of the three (3) categories of Westphal College Courses | ||
| Visual and Information Literacy | 3.0 | |
| Making and Storytelling-Creative Process | 3.0 | |
| Global and Cultural Histories | 3.0 | |
| Program Requirements | ||
| Degree Requirements outside of Program | ||
| Art Studio & Art and Fashion History Requirements | ||
| ARST 1001 | Design Foundations A | 3.0 |
| ARST 1005 | Design Foundations B | 3.0 |
| Any ARTH (Art History) 1000-4999 level course | 3.0 | |
| FASH 3100 | History of Modern Fashion: 1850 - present | 3.0 |
| Math and Science Requirements | ||
| ESS 2075 | The Science of Climate Change | 3.0 |
| MATH 1001 | Mathematical Tools and Techniques | 4.0 |
| Business and Entrepreneurship Core Requirements | ||
| ACCT 1110 | Accounting for Professionals | 3.0 |
| ECON 1201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3.0 |
| ENTP 2270 | Social Entrepreneurship | 3.0 |
| MKTG 2201 | Introduction to Marketing Management | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Personal Selling and Sales Management | ||
| Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications | ||
| Marketing Insights | ||
| New Product Development | ||
| Services Marketing | ||
| Strategic Content Marketing | ||
| Consumer Behavior | ||
| Global Marketing Strategy | ||
| Purpose-Driven Brand Management | ||
| Digital Marketing | ||
| Customer Analytics | ||
| Social Impact Mktg and Corp Responsibility Mgt | ||
| PHIL 2054 | Business Ethics | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
| Entrepreneurial Practice and Mindset | ||
| Ready, Set, Fail | ||
| Building Entrepreneurial Teams | ||
| Early Stage Venture Funding | ||
| Build, Measure, Learn | ||
| Global Entrepreneurship Immersion | ||
| Degree Requirements inside of Program | ||
| Fashion Industry & Merchandising | ||
| FIM 1010 | Introduction to the Fashion Industry | 3.0 |
| FIM 1020 | Textile Product Analysis for Merchandising | 3.0 |
| FIM 2040 | Retail Buying and Operations | 3.0 |
| FIM 2060 | Digital Fashion Communication | 3.0 |
| FIM 2080 | Presentation Techniques for Industry | 3.0 |
| FIM 2100 | Merchandising Management and Analytics | 3.0 |
| FIM 2120 | Fashion Product Development | 3.0 |
| FIM 3140 | Fashion Industry Seminar | 3.0 |
| FIM 3160 | Fashion Branding Strategies | 3.0 |
| FIM 3180 | Visual Merchandising and E-Commerce | 3.0 |
| FIM 4200 | Fashion Media Production | 3.0 |
| FIM 4300 | Fashion Cultural Intersections | 3.0 |
| FIM 4999 | Fashion Industry and Merchandising Capstone | 3.0 |
| Career Pathway Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Optional Co-op Experience | ||
| Co-op is an option for this degree for full-time on-campus students. Co-op cycles may vary. Students choosing this option will be required to complete COOP 1001 as preparation for their co-op experience. COOP 1001 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned. | 0.0 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
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A complete list of eligible introductory Core Competency courses can be found here.
Program Learning Outcomes
1. Professional Communication: Upon graduation, students will be able to demonstrate effective professional communication through verbal, written, and visual presentations across diverse industry contexts.
2. Creative Strategy: Upon graduation, students will be able to develop, execute, and communicate creative ideas and merchandise strategies for application in the consumer lifestyle industries.
3. Data Integration: Upon graduation, students will be able to synthesize visual research, market analytics, and industry data to inform strategic decision-making for product development and merchandising.
4. Global Leadership: Upon graduation, students will be able to demonstrate global cultural competence and collaborative leadership in diverse marketplace contexts, including the ability to manage cross-functional teams and navigate international fashion markets.
5. Analytical Application: Upon graduation, students will be able to apply technology tools, retail mathematics, and data analytics to support merchandise planning, buying decisions, and business strategy.
6. Sustainability and Ethical Practice: Upon graduation, students will be able to evaluate and integrate sustainable practices and ethical considerations throughout the product lifecycle, from sourcing through retail distribution.