ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
*Not available to residents of all states.
The Associate of Science degree program in Retail Merchandise Management is designed to help prepare students for career opportunities in the retail merchandising field. The objective of the program is to provide students with a foundation in merchandising and retailing principles, combining theoretical elements with practical application that supports retail operations. The degree introduces students to direct sales operations and procedures including customer service, supervision, and team leadership; business math concepts used for purchasing and selling merchandise; the creation of visual plans using industry-standard software; and basic procedures used when selling throughout the supply chain as well as the procurement of merchandise. This combination of business, math, and visual design techniques, in addition to general education coursework offers students a balanced and well-rounded knowledge base that is essential to successfully functioning in entry-level positions in most retail industries.
Program Learning Outcomes
As a result of completion of the program of study, students should be able to:
• Explain direct sales operations and procedures including customer service, supervision and team leadership
• Demonstrate basic principles of business math as it relates to the purchase and sales of merchandise
• Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard software
• Comprehend the procedure to sell goods for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to businesses and groups of individuals
• Apply the skills required for the procurement and sales of merchandise
CONCENTRATION COURSES
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE CREDIT
HOURS
BUSN101 Introduction to Business 4
DESIGN101 Design Fundamentals 4
RMKT105 Consumer Behavior Concepts 4
RMKT150 Marketing I 4
RMKT220 Marketing II 4
RMMT101 Merchandising Principles 4
RMMT120 Visual Merchandising I 4
RMMT150 Retail Computer Applications 4
RMMT175 Visual Merchandising II 4
RMMT201 Fundamentals of Accounting 4
RMMT210 Management Solutions 4
RMMT250 Selling Strategies 4
RMMT260 Human Resource Management 4
RMMT275 Pricing Techniques 4
RMMT290 Professional Business Practice 4
TOTAL CONCENTRATION CREDITS 60
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE CREDIT
HOURS
COMM101 Interpersonal Communications 4
ENGL101 English Composition I 4
ENGL102 English Composition II 4
HUMN101 Information Literacy 4
MATH130 College Algebra 4
PSYC201 Psychology 4
SCIE201 Environmental Science 4
SOCS201 Cultural Diversity 4
TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS 32 TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION 92
Retail
Merchandise Management
• Comprehend the procedure to sell goods for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to businesses and groups of individuals
• Apply the skills required for the procurement and sales of merchandise
• Analyze and determine buying trends, sales records, price and quality of merchandise
• Evaluate and select appropriate vendors for sourcing and product analysis considering regulatory and business constraints
• Analyze and evaluate products for sale at the wholesale and retail level, considering markets, quality control and pricing strategies
• Evaluate emerging technologies and identify appropriate strategies for reaching consumers through a variety of sales channels
• Manage direct sales operations and procedures including customer service, supervision and team leadership
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
*Not available to residents of all states”
The Bachelor of Science degree program in Retail Merchandise Management is designed to build off of the skills taught in the associate degree program. Students are prepared for careers in the Retail Merchandise Management field by further developing their knowledge in the areas of merchandise planning and management. The objective of this program is to enable students to apply skills required for the procurement of sales and merchandise; the evaluation and selection of appropriate vendors through sourcing and product analysis while considering laws, regulations and international business constraints;
analysis and evaluation of products and consideration of various markets, quality control, and pricing strategies; demonstration of proficiency with industry-standard software and overall comprehension of the concepts and procedures used when managing merchandise, from concept to consumer. The bachelor’s degree also focuses on the development of management skills in human resources, etiquette, and negotiation so that students are able to develop effective communication and leadership skills. The core courses in this degree, in addition to the General Education Courses, will offer students a well-balanced knowledge base essential to a successful career in retail merchandise management industries
Program Learning Outcomes
As a result of completion of the program of study, students should be able to:
• Explain direct sales operations and procedures including customer service, supervision and team leadership
• Demonstrate basic principles of business math as it relates to the purchase and sales of merchandise
• Demonstrate proficiency with industry-standard software
CONCENTRATION COURSES
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE CREDIT
HOURS
BUSN101 Introduction to Business 4
BUSN499 Entrepreneurship 4
DESIGN101 Design Fundamentals 4
RMKT105 Consumer Behavior Concepts 4
RMKT150 Marketing I 4
RMKT220 Marketing II 4
RMKT305 Forecasting Trends 4
RMKT410 Branding and Advertising 4
RMMT101 Merchandising Principles 4
RMMT120 Visual Merchandising I 4
RMMT150 Retail Computer Applications 4
RMMT175 Visual Merchandising II 4
RMMT201 Fundamentals of Accounting 4
RMMT210 Management Solutions 4
RMMT250 Selling Strategies 4
RMMT260 Human Resource Management 4
RMMT275 Pricing Techniques 4
RMMT290 Professional Business Practice 4
RMMT301 Finance 4
RMMT315 E-commerce 4
RMMT320 Online Retailing 4
RMMT325 Inventory Planning and Management 4
RMMT350 Global Sourcing and Product Analysis 4
RMMT375 Business Etiquette and Negotiations 4
RMMT390 Buying I 4
RMMT405 Buying II 4
RMMT420 Exporting and Importing 4
RMMT450 Business Law Practices 4
RMMT460 Senior Retail Merchandise Management Portfolio 4
RMMT488 Retail Merchandise Management Capstone 4
TOTAL CONCENTRATION CREDITS 120
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES
COURSE NUMBER
COURSE TITLE CREDIT
HOURS
COMM101 Interpersonal Communications 4
ECON315 Global Economics 4
ENGL101 English Composition I 4
ENGL102 English Composition II 4
HUMN101 Information Literacy 4
HUMN301 History of Art I 4
HUMN302 History of Art II 4
HUMN401 Literature and Film 4
MATH130 College Algebra 4
PHIL405 Ethics 4
PSYC201 Psychology 4
SCIE201 Environmental Science 4
SCIE310 Physical Anthropology 4
SOCS201 Cultural Diversity 4
SOCS401 Political Science 4
TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS 60