Merchandising & Marketing, Professional Designation - Curriculum
The following are the required courses for this major. Students who attend Orientation and meet with the Education Department can obtain personalized academic counseling to complete the program. Transfer credits, changes in curriculum, and other factors may affect the academic plan for individual students. The FIDM Education Department can provide additional information.
Associate of Arts, Professional Designation (A.A.)
MMKT 2080
Brand Management Strategies
UNITS: 3
Students gain an
understanding of basic brand principles through exposure to
classic and contemporary branding strategies, applications, and
case studies. Students explore key brand identity elements,
positioning and leveraging brand equity.
MMKT 2420
Marketing Communications
UNITS: 3
Through the written word
marketers evoke images that resonate with the target market.
This course explores traditional and new media communication
methodology. Students acquire a wide variety of writing skills
to effectively communicate across traditional and new media
platforms.
MPDV 2100
Fashion Merchandising & Assortment
Planning
UNITS: 3
An in-depth study of the
financial planning process for the apparel industry. Students
are introduced to pricing principles, the purchasing process,
methods of analysis, and calculating profitability. Utilizing
Excel, a six month financial plan and unit plan are created by
each student in a series of classroom exercises. Prerequisites:
GNST 1450, MRCH 1950, TSCI 1440
MRCH 1750
Merchandising Strategies
UNITS: 3
This course gives students
insight into the complexity of decision making for buying and
planning merchandise assortments and product development.
Emphasis is also placed on the application of technology to
solve business problems. Students develop problem-solving skills
through the analysis of current business practices in
merchandising, including buying, assortment planning, pricing,
inventory control, and timing the purchase timing. The
importance of customer service and developing strategic
partnerships with vendors and suppliers is examined.
Prerequisites: MRCH 1100, MRCH 1550
MRCH 1820
Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts
UNITS: 3
This course is an
introduction to the methodology of tracking and forecasting
trends in the fashion industry. Students examine how world
economy, popular culture, visual arts, runway collections, and
retail and street fashion combine in varying degrees to shape
current styles and determine future trends. A culminating
styling project challenges them to synthesize what they have
learned in an informed prediction about future trends for a
specific brand and target market. Prerequisite: MRCH 1420, TSCI
1500
MRCH 1950
Excel for Business Applications
UNITS: 3
This course is designed to
assist the student in developing a facility with electronic
spreadsheets in support of effective business management.
Students develop a working knowledge of computerized spreadsheet
and chart functions as applied to business management concepts
with related mathematical formulas and operational requirements.
MRCH 2420
Global Supply Chain & Logistics
UNITS: 3
A thorough exploration of
international sourcing, production, and distribution strategies
current in the textile and apparel industries. Students gain
practical understanding of global supply chain management and
import/export regulations and a heightened awareness of the
legal, ethical, economic, and social implications of sourcing
decisions. Prerequisite: TSCI 1500
MRCH 2640
Buying
UNITS: 3
In this course, students
combine quantitative analyses and financial planning with
creative merchandising strategies to curate a dynamic assortment
for their target consumer. Through market and trend research,
the integration of business acumen with aesthetic principles is
covered in order to create the optimal customer experience.
Prerequisites: MPDV 2100, MRCH 2760
MRCH 2660
Data Insights & Fashion Analytics
UNITS: 3
In this course, students
explore the current concepts of customer analytics and their
application to business practices in the retail industry. They
analyze data collection methods and implement best strategies
for their chosen case study company. Guidelines for practices in
the field of Artificial Intelligence and the use of large
datasets are reviewed. Prerequisite: MRCH 2760
MRCH 2760
Advanced Business Applications
UNITS: 3
This advanced technology
course prepares students for a variety of advanced Excel
applications as required in todays business sector.
Prerequisite: MRCH 2250
MRCH 2770
Case Studies in Retail Strategies -OR-
UNITS: 3
In this capstone course,
students analyze the current business practices of a prominent
retailer with special attention to the organizations present
strengths and weaknesses, the challenges it faces in todays
global economic climate, and the impact of current trends in
consumer purchasing behaviors on its financial health. Through
research, the student assesses the organizations current value
and makes informed recommendations for maximizing future growth.
Prerequisite: SMED 2750
BUAD 2850
Entrepreneurship
This course explores what
it takes to launch a new venture, both as an entrepreneur and an
employee. Students develop a business plan, including
identifying opportunities and establishing objectives, matching
customer profile to site locations, analyzing competitors
practices, and developing a competitive marketing mix. Students
also learn the necessary business establishment requirements and
financial projections to secure capital or financing to initiate
their business venture. Prerequisites: COSM 2380, COSM 2450,
SMED 2750
MRCH 2810
Sustainability & Social Responsibility
UNITS: 3
Introduces students to the
concept, history, and science of sustainability and its
relationship to the business of ethical fashion. Coursework
topics focus on the development of eco-friendly materials,
responsible manufacturing and distribution, and how companies
are integrating social responsibility for the environment into
their corporate philosophy and business practices.
Prerequisites: COSM 2380, MMKT 2460, MPDV 2400, MRCH 2420, SMED
2750
MRCH 2860
Merchandise Planning & Allocation -OR-
UNITS: 3
Students apply previously
learned merchandising concepts with new analytics to measure
common retail metrics. Using analysis of past and current
performance, students identify trends and develop financial
plans and learn various allocations methods used in the retail
buying industry. Prerequisites: MRCH 2640, MRCH 2760.
MRCH 2690
Product Development
In a highly competitive
retail environment where product differentiation is key,
students will propose a new private label initiative for an
existing brand in a pop-up location after analyzing consumer
demand, studying the history of private label, and examining the
process of product development. Prerequisite: MRCH 2760.
SMED 2750
E-Commerce Marketing
UNITS: 3
Students learn how to
create a successful online business. Through class lecture and
industry speakers students learn how to navigate e-commerce
applications including document automation, domestic and
international payment systems, online banking, and shopping cart
software. Prerequisites: MRCH 1950, MPDV 2820
TSCI 1500
Textiles & Product Analysis
UNITS: 3
Students in this course
identify and select fabrics and fabric finishes to fulfill
specific customer needs relating to garment structure, design
aesthetic, performance, and care across divergent target market
groups. Students also master the precise textile terminology
essential to effective communication with designers,
manufacturers, and marketers. Prerequisite: MRCH 1100
Total Units of Credit: 45
Note: The Merchandising & Marketing degree is also known as a degree in Fashion Merchandising.
MMKT 1650
Consumer Behavior and Research
UNITS: 3
A course that examines the
sociological and psychological variables that shape the consumer
decision-making process. Students explore a variety of
methodology and research techniques for understanding consumers
wants and needs, attitude formation, purchase motivation, and
consideration, as well as maximizing satisfaction and consumer
loyalty. Prerequisites: MMKT 1550, MMKT 2880
MMKT 2080
Brand Management Strategies
UNITS: 3
Students gain an
understanding of basic brand principles through exposure to
classic and contemporary branding strategies, applications, and
case studies. Students explore key brand identity elements,
positioning and leveraging brand equity.
MMKT 2420
Marketing Communications
UNITS: 3
Through the written word
marketers evoke images that resonate with the target market.
This course explores traditional and new media communication
methodology. Students acquire a wide variety of writing skills
to effectively communicate across traditional and new media
platforms.
MMKT 2460
Global Marketing
UNITS: 3
Students gain insights on
how different social cultures impact consumer behavior, product
preference, the retail environment, and marketing communication.
The course draws on case studies and competitive analysis to
develop an understanding of best practices for success within
the global marketplace. Emphasis is placed on the impact of
digital marketing and sales platforms. Prerequisites: MMKT 2080,
MMKT 2420
MMKT 2780
Integrated Marketing Communications
UNITS: 3
In this advanced marketing
course, students explore creative message strategies including:
traditional and new media, public relations, and other
innovative means of communication. Applying these techniques,
they create an effective integrated marketing communications
campaign that meets the challenges posed by promoting in a
sophisticated, rapidly evolving marketplace. Prerequisites: COSM
2250, SMED 2880, MMKT 2420
MRCH 1820
Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts
UNITS: 3
This course is an
introduction to the methodology of tracking and forecasting
trends in the fashion industry. Students examine how world
economy, popular culture, visual arts, runway collections, and
retail and street fashion combine in varying degrees to shape
current styles and determine future trends. A culminating
styling project challenges them to synthesize what they have
learned in an informed prediction about future trends for a
specific brand and target market. Prerequisite: MRCH 1420, TSCI
1500
MRCH 1950
Excel for Business Applications
UNITS: 3
This course is designed to
assist the student in developing a facility with electronic
spreadsheets in support of effective business management.
Students develop a working knowledge of computerized spreadsheet
and chart functions as applied to business management concepts
with related mathematical formulas and operational requirements.
MRCH 2760
Advanced Business Applications
UNITS: 3
This advanced technology
course prepares students for a variety of advanced Excel
applications as required in todays business sector.
Prerequisite: MRCH 2250
MRCH 2770
Case Studies in Retail Strategies -OR-
UNITS: 3
In this capstone course,
students analyze the current business practices of a prominent
retailer with special attention to the organizations present
strengths and weaknesses, the challenges it faces in todays
global economic climate, and the impact of current trends in
consumer purchasing behaviors on its financial health. Through
research, the student assesses the organizations current value
and makes informed recommendations for maximizing future growth.
Prerequisite: SMED 2750
BUAD 2850
Entrepreneurship
This course explores what
it takes to launch a new venture, both as an entrepreneur and an
employee. Students develop a business plan, including
identifying opportunities and establishing objectives, matching
customer profile to site locations, analyzing competitors
practices, and developing a competitive marketing mix. Students
also learn the necessary business establishment requirements and
financial projections to secure capital or financing to initiate
their business venture. Prerequisites: COSM 2380, COSM 2450,
SMED 2750
MRCH 2810
Sustainability & Social Responsibility
UNITS: 3
Introduces students to the
concept, history, and science of sustainability and its
relationship to the business of ethical fashion. Coursework
topics focus on the development of eco-friendly materials,
responsible manufacturing and distribution, and how companies
are integrating social responsibility for the environment into
their corporate philosophy and business practices.
Prerequisites: COSM 2380, MMKT 2460, MPDV 2400, MRCH 2420, SMED
2750
SMED 2100
New Media Strategy
UNITS: 3
Students learn how to
identify a target new media audience using profiling techniques,
technographics and social computing. Through case studies and
lectures students understand how to develop a strategy to
effectively implement best new media practices into a business
or brand. Prerequisites: MMKT 2080, MMKT 2080
SMED 2750
E-Commerce Marketing
UNITS: 3
Students learn how to
create a successful online business. Through class lecture and
industry speakers students learn how to navigate e-commerce
applications including document automation, domestic and
international payment systems, online banking, and shopping cart
software. Prerequisites: MRCH 1950, MPDV 2820
SMED 2850
Marketing Analytics
UNITS: 3
This practical class looks
at the application of data science to solve marketing problems.
Students will learn to parse both big data and internal
analytics to understand how to use both to improve KPI
reporting, demonstrate return on investment and create effective
marketing campaigns. The objective of this course is to
understand the relationship of analytics to decision making and
how to tell the story the who, what, how and why of the data.
Prerequisite: MRCH 1950
SMED 2880
New Media Public Relations
UNITS: 3
Students use practical and
hands-on experience to develop an understanding of the role new
media plays in current public relations. Students gain practical
knowledge of these techniques by developing and presenting
individual online campaigns in class. Prerequisite: SMED 1700
TSCI 1500
Textiles & Product Analysis
UNITS: 3
Students in this course
identify and select fabrics and fabric finishes to fulfill
specific customer needs relating to garment structure, design
aesthetic, performance, and care across divergent target market
groups. Students also master the precise textile terminology
essential to effective communication with designers,
manufacturers, and marketers. Prerequisite: MRCH 1100
Total Units of Credit: 45
Note: The Merchandising & Marketing degree is also known as a degree in Fashion Merchandising.
