Program Overview

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Program Overview

The MPS in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management program is a 30-credit, one-year graduate program that teaches students how to source and develop products, create financial plans, and translate consumer insights into effective merchandising strategies.

Curriculum & Careers

Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management Courses

Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management courses focus on the development of skills that fashion business employers are looking for in management-level employees, and our fashion merchandising curriculum continually evolves to keep pace with industry trends.

Key courses include:

• Fashion Merchandising
• Fashion Retail Management
• Retail and Merchandise Metrics
• Product Development in Fashion
• Technology in Fashion Merchandising and Management

You can also opt to complete LIM’s graduate Career Success Track, which consists of three required internship or career seminar courses.

Program Specializations

Starting in Fall 2024, master’s in Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management degree students can select from one of four specializations:

• Buying and Operations Management (on campus): Gain expertise in product selection, inventory management, store management, pricing, and promotion.
• Fashion and Lifestyle (on campus or online): Develop a deeper understanding of consumer behavior, merchandising, licensing, supply chains, and project management.
• Product Development and Sourcing (on campus): Acquire a specialized skill set in vendor management, textile sciences, trend analysis, quality management, and negotiation.
• Sustainability in Fashion (on campus): Learn how to make the fashion industry more sustainable and environmentally-friendly.

International Student Information

This is a STEM-designated program. Graduate students on an F-1 visa who receive a STEM degree can apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT if they have a job/job offer from an E-Verify employer and meet the required criteria.*

Students in this program may apply to do CPT starting their first semester.**

*Final determination to approve or deny post-completion OPT and the 24-month extension is made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

**Students must enroll in the Career Success Track to apply for CPT in their first semester (additional tuition charge applies).

Internship Opportunities

A key component of our fashion merchandising master’s program is the opportunity to complete an internship within the fashion business.

Graduates of the program have interned with many prominent companies, including, but not limited to:

• Nike
• Christian Louboutin
• Rebecca Minkoff
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Valentino

You can also choose to complete the Career Success Track*, which consists of three required internship courses across consecutive semesters that provide you with real-world skills, knowledge, and experience to help attain your career goals.

*Additional tuition charge applies

Career Outcomes

With a Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management degree, you can pursue various professional roles throughout the business of fashion and help position yourself for career growth and advancement.

Potential areas of focus include:

• Buying
• Demand Planning
• Licensing
• Product Development
• Merchandising
• Sourcing
• Wholesale or Retail Operations

Why Study Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management at LIM

The global fashion market is expected to reach a value of over $2.25 trillion by 2030. With strong connections to major industry players, a location in New York City, the center of the fashion world, faculty who are themselves industry professionals, and an alumni network that spans the business of fashion, LIM Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management students enjoy an unmatched learning environment and have countless opportunities to make connections that matter.

Our students don’t just learn about the industry; they become immersed in it through a variety of opportunities for resume-building experience that helps them stand out among other aspiring professionals with a master’s in fashion merchandising.

International students in this program may apply to do Curricular Practical training (CPT) starting in their first semester. Students must enroll in the Career Success Track to apply for first semester CPT and an additional tuition charge applies.

Students in this program gain practical and theoretical knowledge in merchandising and retail, with an emphasis on consumer insights, product development, branding, and more.

LIM & the Fashion Industry

LIM College is exclusively focused on the business of fashion and lifestyle. We provide inside access to aspects of the fashion industry that so many other schools simply cannot offer.

LIM's Marcuse School of Graduate Studies is highly regarded for the quality of its business education and has longstanding connections throughout the fashion industry. As a result, Fashion Merchandising and Management students have access to top industry professionals and leading companies.

Working closely with our industry-expert faculty, LIM students benefit from their professors’ knowledge and firsthand experience, establishing critical professional connections that can last a lifetime.

Student Life & Support Services

In addition to lifetime career services and myriad professional development opportunities, LIM students can take advantage of a range of academic resources and counseling services.

With a variety of student clubs and organizations and other campus activities, we foster an active and diverse community of ambitious students and professionals.

Explore support services and student life at LIM.

Graduate Studies Faculty

Dr. Kenneth M. Kambara

• Graduate Studies
• Professor

Patty Mitropoulos

• Graduate Studies
• Assistant Professor

Christopher Truhan

• Business
• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

John Simone

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Robyn Reitano

• Business
• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Erin McKinstry

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Guy Adamo

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Ann Cunningham

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Herbert Sherman

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Professor

Bill Gaden

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Phyllis Shapiro

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Nick Young

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Professor

La-Dana Jenkins

• Career and Internship Services
• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Jeanine Polizzi

• Graduate Studies
• Assistant Professor

Ellen Sills-Levy

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Benjamin Czerwin

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Tracy Kebatta

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Eda Sanchez-Persampieri

• Graduate Studies
• Dean of Graduate Studies

Beryl Jackowitz Solomon

• Business
• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Dieago Miller

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Steve Cannella

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Ilka Jordan

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Morgan Blount

• Graduate Studies

Dr. O'Neira Brown

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Professor

Dionne L. Boyd

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Cat Colella-Graham

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Korinah Sodahlon

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Mark Yarish

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Professor

Alison Katz

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Gerard Becker

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Professor

Natalie Asmus

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Candice Daniels

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Collin Payne

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dante Johnson

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

David Loutfi

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Heather Morgan

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Neilson Persuad

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

Nicole Rosenhouse

• Graduate Studies
• Adjunct Faculty

More Faculty

Explore Related Programs

LIM College offers a variety of master’s degrees. Explore our other related fashion-focused graduate business programs.

Consumer Analytics, MS

Fashion Marketing, MPS

Global Fashion Supply Chain Management, MS

The Business of Fashion, MPS