Program Overview

Merchandising and Digital Retailing Master's

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Merchandising and Digital Retailing offers two tracks, Professional and Research. The program prepares global leaders who are competent in industry-specific processes, ethics and sustainability, business strategy, technology applications, and data analytics.

Program Details

• Program Type: Master of Science (M.S.)
• Format: On Campus, Online
• Estimated Time to Complete: 1.5-2 years
• Credit Hours: 30-33

Program Tracks

• Professional Track (30 hours): Targeted toward industry professionals, this track prepares global leaders who are competent in industry-specific processes, ethics and sustainability, business strategy, technology applications, and data analytics.
• Research Track (33 hours): Prepares students for careers in research and teaching. Through independent study and faculty mentorship, students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve industry problems. The program culminates in the preparation of a thesis.

Marketable Skills

• Advance merchandising knowledge
• Application of appropriate research methods
• Analyze/synthesize information from sources
• Merchandising/Digital Retailing/Retail strategic planning
• Evaluate growth/competitive strategies

Program Highlights

• Our curriculum teaches you how to solve complex problems, create new opportunities in competitive markets, and understand the many components that support a successful, consumer-driven business venture.
• 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
  • Sustainable retailing
• Our students often present research or test their merchandising knowledge at regional, national, and international events.
• Annual merchandising study tours to New York, China/Hong Kong, and London/Paris are offered.
• Excellent networking, internship, and employment opportunities are available because of the university's close proximity to leading merchandising, apparel, and home furnishing companies.

Career Opportunities

• A degree in this field can help prepare you for 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.

Sample Courses

• Socio-Cultural Analysis of Dress (3 hrs): Explores the social, psychological, and cultural theories of dress and appearance.
• Digital Channel Strategies (3 hrs): Provides a holistic overview of digital retailing strategies through examination of merchandising, marketing, and customer experience strategies in digital marketspaces.
• Consumer Theory (3 hrs): Classic and contemporary consumer theories analyzed in situational contexts. Emphasis on formulating integrated consumer behavior models for strategic decision-making in both domestic and international consumer-driven markets in merchandising and hospitality industries.
• Sustainable Strategies in Merchandising (3 hrs): Examines fundamental business tools for the pursuit of sustainable development to business operation in apparel and home furnishings enterprises.
• Merchandising Strategies (3 hrs): Merchandising theory, principles, and practice applied to the strategic planning, developing, and presenting of textile, apparel, and home furnishings product lines. How consumer-driven markets motivate product sourcing, pricing, assortment, styling, and timing in the global distribution pipeline.