Take Fashion from the Runway to the World
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
SU’s Fashion Merchandising program gives you a business focus on the world of fashion. Classes in marketing, management, art, and fashion will provide you with a foundation in all the essential aspects of fashion. The program also addresses the international scope of the fashion industry and its impact on society, culture, and business.
Fashion Merchandising students have the opportunity to collaborate on fashion projects with major brands and retailers such as Boscov’s and Nordstrom and to complete internships with major companies such as Rag & Bone, Anthropologie, and South Moon Under. They also study abroad in England, Ireland, and Italy, and they attend apparel and accessory tradeshows such as Magic Market Week and Coterie.
Graduates of the Fashion Merchandising program will:
- Analyze, develop, construct, and execute effective marketing strategies for a specific fashion or retail operation.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of consumer behavior and choose appropriate professional techniques in the display and sales of fashion and retail goods.
- Identify and interpret style and retail trends as they relate to fashion and retail cycles as well as targeted consumer markets.
- Interpret, assess, and respond to economic and market factors that affect consumer fashion and retail demand.
- Select appropriate solutions utilizing a working knowledge of specific areas of domestic and international marketing, management, and law as they relate to the business operations of fashion and retail merchandising.
- Employ sophisticated personal communication and technology skills to enhance job effectiveness.
Stevenson Fashion Merchandising
Connection to Career
Internship Placements
- Aldo Shoes
- French Connection USA
- Galette Children’s Apparel
- Nordstrom
- Stila Cosmetics
Top Employers
- Anthropologie
- Coach
- Nike
- Swarovski
- The Children’s Place
Graduate Opportunities
- University of
Massachusetts Amherst
Career Pathways
- Accout Executive
- Buyer
- Merchandise Coordinator
- Merchandise Planner/Allocator
- Showroom Manager
The First of Its Kind in Maryland
Stevenson University’s Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising is the first program of its kind in Maryland. The program prepares students for careers in marketing and merchandising for the apparel and retail industries.
Fashion in Forward Motion
Ashliegh Genece
Fashion Merchandising Major / Marketing Minor
As a fashion merchandising major and marketing minor, Ashliegh has gained a wide scope of takeaways tailored to her future career: from retail math and business writing to presentation skills and industry knowledge.
Study Fashion Merchandising at Stevenson
Career Opportunities
Career Paths for Fashion Merchandising Majors
- Buyer
- Stylist
- Fashion Public Relations Manager
- Sales and Account Representative
- Trend Forecaster
- Visual Merchandiser
- Merchandiser and Allocator
- Retail and Wholesale Brand Manager
- Digital Product Manager
- Social Media Manager
Curious about internships and job placement after you graduate? Visit our Career Connection Center.
Courses
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| ACC 215 | Survey of Accounting | 3 credits |
| EC 202 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 credits |
| FDES 200 | Textiles | 3 credits |
| FDES 274 | History of Fashion | 3 credits |
| FMER 210 | Fashion and Culture | 3 credits |
| FMER 223 | The Business of Fashion | 3 credits |
| FMER 290 | Internship Preparation | 1 credit |
| FMER 315 | Writing for Fashion | 3 credits |
| FMER 320 | Fashion Retailing | 3 credits |
| FMER 323 | Fashion Product Merchandising | 3 credits |
| FMER 340 | Merchandise Sourcing and Logistics | 3 credits |
| FMER 360 | Visual Merchandising | 3 credits |
| FMER 390 | Internship | 3 credits |
| FMER 430 | Fashion Merchandising Capstone | 3 credits |
| GDES 125 | Fundamentals of Digital Media | 3 credits |
| INBUS 325/MKT 325 | International Marketing | 3 credits |
| IS 135 | MS Office Applications | 3 credits |
| LAW 208 | Business Law | 3 credits |
| MGT 204 | Principles of Management | 3 credits |
| MGT 210 | Business Writing | 3 credits |
| MKT 206 | Principles of Marketing | 3 credits |
| MKT 311 | Consumer Behavior | 3 credits |
| MKT 336 | Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 credits |
Explore our academic catalog for a full listing of courses, course descriptions, suggested course sequences, and more.
Minors
The minor in Fashion Merchandising is designed for students interested in the business of fashion. It prepares students to understand the role of apparel in today’s marketplace and the relationship between the fashion and production apparel industries.
The minor in fashion merchandising requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with a FMER prefix, which focus on fashion and culture, fashion retailing, product merchandising, and fashion communication. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
Accreditation
Stevenson University’s Brown School of Business and Leadership is proud to have received specialized accreditation for the Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE).
Founded in 1997, the IACBE is nationally-recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). IACBE is the leader in mission-driven and outcomes-based programmatic accreditation in business and business-related education for colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions whose primary purpose is excellence in teaching and learning. Learn more at www.iacbe.org.
Fashion News
by Brianna FisherWhen looking back on my time as a fashion merchandising student, there are many experiences that stand out. From our first trip to New York a couple weeks into the semester to the many networking events the p.
Amira Morsi's Senior CollectionBy: Karli BanasAmira’s collection was designed to be soft, beautiful, and Venus-like. Her main inspiration came from a perfume she likes and photos of flowers in water.
Tanyka Trotman's Senior CollectionBy: Karli BanasTanyka’s collection is inspired by Disney villains and the Met Gala. She feels Disney villains dress well, but their clothing is often overlooked by their wicked actions.
Which fashion program is your best fit?
Students aspiring to find their place in the fashion world are often unaware of a difference between fashion design and fashion merchandising. Both fields are closely related and play large roles in industry. However, there is enough distinction that they are each worthy of their own programs at Stevenson. So, what’s the difference between Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising at Stevenson?
Have a Question?
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Undergraduate Admissions
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