Mar 28, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2010-12 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2010-12 [Archived Catalog]

Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development Major (B.S.H.C.S.)


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Major code BS6380

The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education and Human Services 
Department of Human and Consumer Sciences Education 
Grover Center E160
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2880
Fax: 740.593.0984
http://www.cehs.ohio.edu/academics/hcse/rm/index.htm

Ann Paulins, contact person

The Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development program prepares you for retail management, marketing, distribution, and product development positions, such as buyer, store or corporate manager, visual merchandiser, manufacturer’s sales representative, and fashion coordinator. The Program and courses at Ohio University prepare students for dynamic careers in industry. The course of study includes professional development, knowledge of industry-specific business and sales applications, and hands-on retailing experiences. In addition, study tours to New York City and abroad enhance classroom instruction and provide valuable networking opportunities. The program works cooperatively with an advisory board composed of retailers, business people and educators in related fields. Faculty and students network with corporate representatives who provide internships and hire Retail Merchandising majors. Program resources provide insight into the ongoing development of our market-driven program. In addition, an historic costume collection is housed in our facilities and managed within our program. Your professional development will be enhanced through regular meetings with an academic advisor and through a sequence of professional development and retail content courses that will prepare you for the world of opportunities in retailing.

Career Opportunities

Career options include retail management, buying, design and product development, merchandising, visual presentation, quality control and wholesale sales and entrepreneurship. Our market-driven Retail Merchandising program prepares you to land the job of your dreams!

Major corporations such as The Limited, Inc. (and its divisions), The Gap, Federated Department Stores, Mercantile Stores, WalMart, Kohl’s, Target, Ann Taylor, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and J.C. Penney have employed OU Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development graduates. Graduates have also secured employment with various design companies and manufacturers including Bugle Boy, Halston, Betsey, Johnson, and Cejon. Alumni have landed specialized jobs such as fashion stylists, artistic consultants, fashion show coordinators , costumers for TV and motion pictures, apparel and textile designers.

The faculty in the Program are available to work with each student. It is our goal that each student realize his or her goals! We encourage you to attend career fairs at Ohio University and at other universities. Ohio University’s Career Services office regularly scheduled interviews with retail companies for both internships and entry-level positions. Additionally, companies seeking internship students often contact Ohio University for candidates. The faculty are here to guide you as you network with resource people including the Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development advisory board, alumni contacts, and other industry professionals.

Most entry level positions are as trainees - in merchandising, management, product development, or buying. You may begin your career as a manager in training at a major department store or within a specialty store, as a buyer trainee, or as a merchandise coordinator for a major label. Secondary positions such as sales representative, buyer, divisional merchandise manager, fashion coordinator, stylist, and production coordinator are typically available to people with 3 to 6 years of experience in retailing. Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development graduates may also find employment in departments of human resources of retail firms or with design and manufacturing companies.

Students interested in the Program will enter Ohio University with a premajor code of ND8835 (Preretail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development). To be admitted to the major, you must apply and be accepted after successful completion of 7 courses and achieving an accumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Universitywide Graduation Requirements


To complete this program, students must meet all Universitywide graduation requirements .

Department Level Requirements for Human and Consumer Sciences Education


View the Department-Level Requirements for the Department of Human and Consumer Sciences Education .

Admission Criteria


Complete the following courses.

Upon successful completion of the requirements, you must seek admission to the major.

Select one course from the following:


and earn a “C” or better

Select one course from the following:


If your mathematics placement exam result is lower than MATH 263 (PL3), you must complete one of the following:

For Preretail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development Majors


The Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development program application is available in the Department of Human and Consumer Sciences Education (Grover E160) or from the program coordinator. The completed form and a current DARS report must be submitted to the Program coordinator in Grover E160 by the end of the second week of the quarter following completion of the admission requirements.

All other majors


For students in any other major seeking admission into the Retail Merchandising and Fashion Product Development major, the application form is available in the School of Human and Consumer Sciences Education (Grover E160) from the program coordinator or online at http://www.cehs.ohio.edu/academics/hcse/rm/index.htm. The completed form, a current DARS report, and the Application for Update Program(s) must be submitted to the program coordinator in Grover E160 by the seventh day of the quarter following completion of the admission requirements.

Upon review and verification of your GPA and course requirements, applicants meeting the requirements will be admitted to the program. Students are advised to make a decision about a major as early as possible in order to apply to the program in a timely manner.

Program Standards


Once admitted to the retail merchandising major, you must meet the following criteria to remain active:

  1. Maintain and overall GPA of 2.0 (C) or better in all hours attempted at Ohio University.
  2. Maintain a GPA of 2.0 (C) or better in all courses listed under Major Requirements.
  3. Complete any courses identified with a grade of C or better.

You must succeed in a required program course by a third time you enroll in the course. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be dropped from the program. Success is a passing grade, or a grade of a C or better in those courses where at least a minimum grade of a C is required.

Select one course from the following:


Select one course (different than one selected for Admisson Criteria) from the following:


Approved business electives


  • Select 8 hours at the 300 or 400 level in ACCT, B A, BUSL, FIN, HRM, MGT, MKT, MIS, OPN, or QBA.

Internship, Practica, Field Experience Registration Requirements


Generally, the policy on internships, practica, field experiences, and senior internship requires that you be registered for the experience in the quarter(s) that you are actually fulfilling the requirements for the course. The only exception to this requirement is an experience that takes place over winter intersession, in which case you may register for the course during winter quarter.

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