Program Overview

Merchandising Degree

Overview

The Merchandising program at UNT is one of the top programs of its kind in the nation. The program emphasizes critical analysis of merchandising strategies related to the planning, development, distribution, and the buying/selling of various products in consumer-driven markets. Students can select a concentration in either Fashion Merchandising or Furniture & Décor Merchandising.

Program Details

• Program Type: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Why Earn a Degree in Merchandising?

We teach you to critically analyze merchandising scenarios relating to the design, development, distribution, evaluation, and use of fashion-oriented products. The curriculum is developed in consultation with leaders of the Dallas-Fort Worth retail industry to meet industry needs. Students can also have the option to have a concentration in either fashion or furnishings and décor.

Marketable Skills

• Quantitative analysis of merchandising strategies
• Oral and written communication
• Analyze target consumer behavior
• Teamwork
• Apply fashion product knowledge

Merchandising Degree Highlights

Competencies in teamwork, written and oral communication, consumer theory, product knowledge, and Microsoft Excel prepare graduates for careers in the 21st century.

Professional development events such as the Consumer Experience Symposium and the Executive in Residence Series bring corporate executives to our college for lectures and networking with students.

You can earn three credit hours through a merchandising study tour. Class destinations include New York City and Dallas, where you tour showrooms, manufacturing facilities, retail establishments, museums and significant historical structures.

Study abroad opportunities to London and France can provide international exposure to the fashion industry.

The Merchandising program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing is a recipient of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute Award for Excellence for innovative and exemplary programs and research.

Courses in merchandising, product development, textiles, consumer behavior, buying, global sourcing, trend analysis, brand development and promotion teach students marketable skills that can be leveraged across multiple product categories.

Career Opportunities

A bachelor’s degree in this field can help prepare you for many positions, including:

• Merchandiser
• Buyer for retail brands
• Product developer
• Brand manager
• Store analyst
• Visual merchandiser
• Wholesaler / showroom manager
• Store manager in retail store operations

Graduates have worked for companies such as Fossil, At Home, Michaels, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Haggar, The Container Store, Target, JCPenney, Zale Corp, and more.

Merchandising Degree Courses

• Introduction to Retail Merchandising (3 hrs)
  • Survey of the retail industry including development, merchandising and distribution of apparel, furnishing and decor products. Introduction to terminology, resources, industry participants and career opportunities.
• Consumers in a Global Market (3 hrs)
  • Cross-cultural comparisons using systems, human needs, and consumer behavior frameworks are integrated with critical, empirical and creative thinking processes to develop a global perspective that is sensitive to diverse consumers’ needs and preferences for products and services in a global market.
• Buying (3 hrs)
  • Introduction to buying, merchandise planning and control, and pricing.
• Global Sourcing (3 hrs)
  • An overview of global sourcing in the textile and apparel industries and the factors affecting global sourcing product concept to distribution with an emphasis on global issues.
• Sustainable Strategies in Merchandising (3 hrs)
  • Comprehensive application of sustainability practices for product development and retail design in apparel and home furnishings enterprises.

Related Programs

• Merchandising Minor
• Merchandising and Digital Retailing Master's Degree
• Merchandising and Consumer Analytics Master's Degree
• Merchandising Grad Track Program

Similar Areas of Study

• Arts & Design
• Business & Industry
• Multidisciplinary

Department Information

• Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing
• College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism
• Chilton Hall, Room 331