Fashion Merchandising degree students take a wide range of courses in business management, fashion and consumer science. These courses prepare students to work in fashion marketing, retail management and apparel design. Read on for more details about the course requirements for a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising.
What Does a Fashion Merchandising Bachelor's Degree Program Teach You?
Most Fashion Merchandising B.S. degree programs teach students about business, the fashion industry and consumer behavior, says the College Board, www.collegeboard.org. Classes in these subjects prepare Fashion Merchandising students to work for department stores, fashion houses and apparel manufacturers. Students also find jobs with fashion magazines or become entrepreneurs.
Business and Management Courses
Many students with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising become store managers or business owners, so knowing how to market products and run an enterprise is critical. For example, students in the B.S. in Fashion Merchandising program at Central Washington University, www.cwu.edu, take business courses in four main fields:
- Retail management
- Accounting
- Advertising
- Sales
Fashion Courses
Students getting a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising study the history and culture of the fashion industry to understand, predict and set trends. They also learn the science behind the design and manufacture of fashion apparel, and they even master sewing basics. Like the students in the Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising program at the University of Georgia, www.uga.edu, you could take fashion courses in these areas:
- Fashion history
- Textiles and sewing
- Fashion trend analysis
- Visual merchandising
Consumer Science Courses
To create and market apparel, fashion merchandisers must understand the needs and desires of the consumers who'll be buying their products. In consumer science courses, students learn about the economic, cultural and psychological factors that influence consumers' buying decisions. Most Fashion Merchandising bachelor's degree programs, like those at the University of Georgia and Central Washington University, require students to take courses about topics like these:
- Cultural aspects of clothing
- Family development
- Consumer economic management
