Program Overview
The Master of Science in Merchandising and Digital Retailing equips students to navigate the consumer-driven global market by developing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The program offers two tracks: Professional, preparing students for industry careers, and Research, preparing them for teaching and research. Students gain knowledge in product management, digital optimization, and consumer theory, along with networking and internship opportunities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Science Degree in Merchandising and Digital Retailing is a flexible, integrated program of study that prepares students to solve complex problems, create new opportunities in competitive markets, and understand components that support successful businesses, focusing on the management of products, services, and experiences in a consumer-driven global market. Graduate coursework such as research methods, merchandising strategies, digital optimization, global retailing and consumer theory prepare students for careers in industry or higher education.
Objectives:
- Develop the transformational skills needed for career success in the global industry and in higher education.
- Prepare students to solve complex problems, create new opportunities in competitive markets, and understand components that support successful businesses.
- Focus on the management of products, services, and experiences in a consumer-driven global market.
Teaching:
- The program offers two tracks: Professional and Research.
- The Professional Track is targeted toward industry professionals of today and tomorrow.
- The Research Track prepares students for careers in research and teaching.
- Students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve industry problems.
- The program culminates in the preparation of a thesis for the Research Track.
Careers:
- A degree in this field can help prepare you for the industry positions such as merchandiser, buyer for retail brands, brand manager and store analyst.
- Students can also pursue a teaching and research position in higher education.
- Students can enter a Ph.D. degree after completing the M.S. program for a tenured track position in higher education institutions.
Other:
- The program offers annual merchandising study tours to New York, China/Hong Kong and London/Paris.
- Excellent networking, internship and employment opportunities are available because of the university's close proximity to leading merchandising, apparel and home furnishing companies.
- As you progress through the program, you may work with a faculty member on funded, cutting-edge research projects such as: customer experience in the marketplace; lifestyle and ethnic influences on purchase motivations and product satisfaction; mobile commerce applications; omnichannel retailing; and sustainable retailing.
- Our students often present research or test their merchandising knowledge at regional, national and international events.
