Fashion Merchandising and Marketing (B.A.)
The major in fashion merchandising and marketing focuses on retail buying, product development, and fashion promotion. Graduates attain positions such as assistant retail buyer, wholesale account manager, product allocator, retail manager, visual merchandiser, fashion stylist, and fashion event coordinator. The Liberal Arts Core requirements serve as a foundation for the critical thinking needed to be successful in fashion marketing courses and in the industry. Ample elective choices permit a variety of minors that include fashion design, business, and communication. The required senior-year internship offers students valuable and practical hands-on experience with a variety of retailers, such as department and specialty stores, manufacturers, and distributors, and helps develop a career path in fashion merchandising.
Students in fashion merchandising and marketing can join the Marymount Fashion Club to participate in various activities related to real-world experiences in the fashion industry, such as assisting with fashion shows on and off campus or organizing guest lectures with fashion industry professionals.
Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to study product development and take part in the production of the annual student fashion show, Portfolio in Motion. Seniors complete a seminar in which they solve real-world merchandising problems using the case study and simulation method.
Upon successful completion of the fashion merchandising and marketing program, students will be able to
- evaluate apparel based on analyses of specific consumer markets, market positioning, and fashion trends;
- promote apparel effectively through various written, oral, and visual communication techniques;
- simulate the process of product development and explore various channels of distribution; and
- conduct consumer and fashion research to solve merchandising problems.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A minimum grade of D is required in any course within the fashion merchandising major and marketing that serves as a prerequisite for a higher-numbered course. To continue in the Fashion Merchandising and Marketing program, a C or better must be earned in each of the following courses: VIS 101, VIS 111, and VIS 121.
Degree Requirements — Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Sample Degree Plan — Fashion Merchandising and Marketing
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
Year One — Spring
| VIS 121 | Intro to Digital Tools | 3 |
| FD 111 | Fashion Apparel and Accessory Coordination | 3 |
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
Year Two — Spring
| MKT 230 | Omnichannel Fashion Merchandising | 3 |
| MKT 301 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| MKT 319 | Promotion and Digital Marketing | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - 1st WI course if not already completed * | |
Year Three — Spring
| FD 307 | Product Development I | 3 |
| FD 361 | Survey of Fashion | 3 |
| MKT 360 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MKT 440 | Fashion in the Global Marketplace | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in a second discipline * | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| FD 407 | Product Development II | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course - POL 104, ECO 210, ECO 211 recommended * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course if not already completed * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Spring
| FD 400 | Internship | 3 |
| FD 414 | Fashion Show Production | 3 |
| MKT 483 | Senior Seminar in Fashion Marketing | 3 |
| | Advanced Social Science (SS-2) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - 3rd DSINQ course required if not already completed * | 3 |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.