Program Overview

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Master's Degree in Retail & Merchandising Online

The MS in Retail and Merchandising program is not currently accepting new students.

Overview

Drexel's online master's program provides a broad overview of the retail and merchandising industry, focusing on topics such as merchandising, branding, retail marketing, style analytics, product development, assortment planning, international markets, and supply chain management.

Curriculum

This program is organized into four 10-week quarters per year. The curriculum will develop your ability to think critically, research and solve problems, and implement innovative solutions in a dynamic global marketplace. You will also develop your skills in leadership, operations, creative management strategies, solid scholarship, diversity, and inclusion while enrolled in the graduate retail and merchandising program.

Program Features

• Faculty have expertise in retail, fashion, merchandising, and management leadership, making them well-connected to industry executives.
• Designed for both current retail and merchandising industry professionals and those seeking to change careers.
• Coursework covers cultural theory, new merchandising technologies, retail data analysis, strategic planning, and social media.
• Can be personalized based on your interests and level of experience in retail, merchandising, fashion, and more.
• For those already in the field, information learned in class can be immediately applied to your job.
• Four start times throughout the year (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MS in Retail & Merchandising master's program will be able to pursue career opportunities such as:

• General Merchandise Manager
• Manufacturer Sales Representative
• Merchandise Buyer
• Post-Secondary Educator
• Regional Retail Operations Manager
• Retail Corporate Executive

Optional Residencies Abroad and in Philadelphia

You'll have the opportunity to study abroad in locations such as London, Italy, China, or Iceland. During the trip, you'll learn about brand communication, product design and development, retail models, store layout, visual merchandising, and product promotion within that specific area of the world.

Project or Research Thesis

All Retail & Merchandising graduate students complete a project or thesis that is presented to a three-person committee for review. Projects can include investigative studies at a particular company, practice-based innovations in the industry, or hands-on explorations surrounding management and merchandising.

Curriculum Details

The program consists of the following required courses: | Course | Title | Credits | | --- | --- | --- | | RMER 500 | Retail Merchandising | 3.0 | | RMER 510 | Research Methods in Retail & Merchandising | 4.0 | | RMER 520 | Retail: Social and Cultural Issues | 3.0 | | RMER 530 | Retail Lifestyle Product Analysis | 3.0 | | RMER 535 | Retail Lifestyle Product Forecasting | 3.0 | | RMER 540 | Retail Brand Storytelling | 3.0 | | RMER 550 | Retail Store Technology & Visual Display | 3.0 | | RMER 560 | Selling Techniques & Strategies | 3.0 | | RMER 570 | Retail Supply Chain Analysis | 3.0 | | RMER 580 | Retail & Merchandising Seminar in Leadership | 3.0 | | RMER 585 | The Inclusive Retail Leader | 4.0 | | RMER 600 | Retail Futures | 3.0 | | RMER 697 | Research & Data Collection | 3.0 | | RMER 698 | Project/Research Thesis | 4.0 | Total Credits: 45.0

Admissions Criteria

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• GPA of at least 3.0
  • If you don't meet this requirement, you're still encouraged to apply, and your file will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Program Director.

Required Documents

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
• Two letters of recommendation (professional references preferred)
• Personal statement (500 words) that addresses one or more of the following topics:
  • Why you are choosing this particular program
  • What you consider to be the direction of retail and merchandising today, and how it will affect the industry you manage in the future
  • Your short and long-term career plans, including how this degree will further them
  • The topic of your best undergraduate or professional research paper and why it was the best (you may also submit it if you choose)
• Resume
• Additional requirements for International Students

Tuition

The tuition rate for the academic year is $1190 per credit. For the academic year, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.

Faculty

The program is taught by faculty with advanced degrees and experience in the retail, merchandising, and fashion fields. Faculty members include:

• Joseph H. Hancock, II, Ph.D.
• Vivianna Bermudez
• Anne Cecil
• Tsz Kwok, EdD
• Krista Lowther
• Joel Rodriguez

Academic Calendar

The academic calendar includes the following terms:

• Fall 2025: September 22, 2025 - December 6, 2025
• Winter 2026: January 5, 2026 - March 14, 2026
• Spring 2026: March 30, 2026 - June 6, 2026
• Summer 2026: June 22, 2026 - August 29, 2026