Program Overview
Retailing and Consumer Science
Overview
Accelerate your path to a management and leadership career with a one-of-a-kind degree in retailing and consumer behavior. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Science gain the cross-functional knowledge of consumer behavior and the business of retailing that major retailers and innovative companies seek. Students acquire a comprehensive education in consumer behavior, management, merchandise buying and planning, integrated marketing communication, brand management, product development, operations, and digital retailing. Our expert faculty shows students how to interpret current research and apply retailing best practices to make smart, data-driven decisions. Additionally, the program's partnerships with leaders in the retailing sector provide students with unprecedented access to practical experience that lends itself to professional success after graduation.
Learning Outcomes
- Foundational Knowledge in RCSC; Demonstrate broad knowledge of contemporary issues, theories and their applications in retailing and consumer sciences in the context of academic work (e.g., responses to exam questions, written assignments).
- Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis; Students will be able to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze opportunities and risks faced by managers in the retail sector and make related business decisions in the context of academic work (e.g., problem sets, case studies, simulations).
- Strategic Thinking; Students will be able to systematically identify and assess strategic priorities of firms in the retail sector and articulate effective strategies for business success in the context of academic work (e.g., problem sets, case studies, simulations).
- Communication; Students will demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills for a variety of audiences in the context of academic work (e.g., oral presentations and written assignments).
- Leadership & Ethics; Students will demonstrate knowledge of leadership, management and ethical standards in the retail sector and the ability to employ them effectively in the context of academic work and field settings (e.g., project team performance and professional presentation during industry interactions).
Program Details
Sample Courses
- RCSC 325 Retail Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- RCSC 315 Retail Communications Strategy
- RCSC 360 Digital Retailing
Career Fields
- Merchandise buying and planning
- Digital and social media marketing
- Retail management
- Product development
- Advertising
- Category management
- Digital retailing
- Merchandise buying and planning
- Product development
- Sales management
- Social media marketing
Level of Math
Moderate Knowledge
The M-strand is for students who require mathematical facility at the level of at least MATH 112 (College Algebra Concepts) or 108 (Modeling with Algebraic and Trigonometric Functions). This strand involves reasonable facility with algebra and algebraic functions, graphs, and simple modeling. Students who choose the M-strand are prepared for further mathematical work. This work may include MATH 107 (Exploring and Understanding Data), MATH 113 (Elements of Calculus), MATH 116 (Calculus Concepts for Business), MATH 119A (Mathematics of Biological Systems: A Calculus Based Approach), or a statistics class from outside the Mathematics Department, such as ISTA 116 (Statistical Foundations for the Information Age) or SBS 200 (Statistics for the Social Sciences).
Level of Second Language
2nd Semester Proficiency
Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.
Pre-major Required?
No
This Major's College
College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sci
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Sample Plans
4-Year Sample Plan
- 1st Semester
- RCSC 114 Introduction to Retailing
- RCSC 195 Introduction to the Retailing & Consumer Science Program
- ENGL 101 First-Year Composition
- MATH 112 College Algebra
- Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
- Second Language
- 2nd Semester
- RCSC 240 Consumer Behavior
- ENGL 102 First-Year Composition
- HECL 120 Basic Computer Skills for Office Applications
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- Second Language
- 3rd Semester
- RCSC 205 Merchandise Planning and Control
- RCSC 205A Merchandise Planning and Control/Buying Lab
- HECL 201 Statistics
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- Gen Ed: Exploring Perspectives
- Gen Ed: Building Connections
- 4th Semester
- RCSC 220 Markets, Finance, and Retailing
- RCSC 260 Shopper Data and Business Research
- HECL 301 Applying Critical Thinking
- 5th Semester
- RCSC 316 Retail Business Analysis
- RCSC 316A Retail Business Analysis Lab
- RCSC 295A Career Exploration
- RCSC ELECTIVE
- RCSC ELECTIVE
- General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
- 6th Semester
- RCSC 315 Retail Promotion and Visual Merchandising
- RCSC Elective
- RCSC Elective
- General Elective or Minor Course
- General Elective or Minor Course
- 7th Semester
- RCSC 384 Leadership, Ethics, and Management Practices
- RCSC Elective
- RCSC Elective
- General Elective or Minor Course
- General Elective or Minor Course
- 8th Semester
- RCSC 498 Senior Capstone
- RCSC Elective
- RCSC Elective
- General Elective or Minor Course
- General Elective or Minor Course
