Program Overview

Merchandising Degree with a concentration in Furnishings and Décor

Overview

The Furnishings & Décor program concentration in the Merchandising & Digital Retailing Department at UNT is one of the few programs nationwide focusing specifically on companies and careers in this innovative industry. Creativity and commerce converge as professionals constantly transform ideas into products and services that help shape and define home environments, hotel and restaurant spaces, and more.

Program Details

Program Type

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Format

• On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

• 4 years

Credit Hours

• 120

Marketable Skills

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

Program Highlights

Our dynamic program emphasizes product development, merchandising, and residential aesthetics and it is a program uniquely different from, but related to interior design.

Courses in products and processes, decorative accessories, drawing and planning, consumer behavior, buying, sourcing, aesthetics, furniture industry, textiles and historic architecture, interiors and furniture help develop marketable skills that transcend industries.

Competencies in creative problem solving, written, verbal, and visual communication, trend analysis, consumer behavior, and flexibility make graduates of the merchandising program competitive in this fashion-based field.

We provide many professional development events for students featuring industry executives, field trips, and career fairs.

We offer learning experiences beyond the classroom in areas including New York City, Europe, and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. These study tours allow you to earn credit hours while experiencing international exposure to the industry.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can pursue careers such as:

• Product development and design of furnishings and décor products
• Home accent and decorative accessory companies
• Home builders and home centers
• Digital retailing and e-commerce related to furnishings and décor products
• Furniture retailing
• Retail buying and planning for home décor products
• Working with manufacturers and wholesalers of furniture and accessories
• Showrooms and wholesale market centers
• Visual merchandising
• Kitchen and bath design firms
• and many more...

Courses

• Managing a Diverse Workforce (3 hrs)
• Historic and Contemporary Styles of Home Furnishings (3 hrs)
• Drawing and Planning for Home Furnishings (3 hrs)
• Effective Leadership Communication (3 hrs)
• Global DiscoveryEurope (3 hrs)
• Creating Consumer Experiences (3 hrs)