Design & Merchandising BS / Retail & Merchandising MS

Major: Design & Merchandising and Retail & Merchandising
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 226.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years)
BS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.0499
BS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 13-1022
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.0212
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 41-1011

About the Program

Only available to Design & Merchandising majors, this accelerated dual degree program combines study in the areas of design & merchandising, buying, and product development with the MS in Retail & Merchandising degree. The program is designed to allow students to complete both the bachelor's degree and the MS in Retail & Merchandising degree in five years.

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 program is structured with a year of core curriculum which can be started during a students senior year of their BS program, 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 with a dual degree will pursue leadership roles and career growth in the areas of retail, merchandising, supply-chain, and brand industries.

Additional Information

Students should visit the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design for more information.

Admission Requirements

GPA of at least 3.0
If you don't meet this requirement you're still encouraged to apply and your file will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Program Director

Degree Requirements

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Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-480 in AFAS, ARTH, ARCH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, and WRIT.

Suggested Arts and Humanities electives: ENGL 303, ENGL 335, HIST 163.

**

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, and WGST.

Suggested Social Science electives: SOC 210, SOC 215, SOC 240, SOC 340, SOC I499.

***

Career Pathway electives enable students to pursue specific areas of study which compliment the Design & Merchandising major and the student's desired career pathway.

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 Program. 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.

Sample Plan of Study

Fall/Winter Co-op (Cycle A)

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Fall/Winter Co-op (Cycle A - London Option)

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Spring/Summer Co-op (Cycle B)

*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.