Merchandising Master's Degree

All students are required to meet the general university admission requirements.

Program-Specific Deadlines for U.S. Applicants

• Fall semester (begins in late August): March 1
• Spring semester (begins in late January): Aug. 1
• Summer semester (begins in late May): March 1

Additional Documentation
Your application must include the following:

• Statement of objectives: State academic objectives, including reasons for pursuing a graduate degree, career goals and the specific area in which the applicant would like to study
• Resume/curriculum vitae
• Names and emails of three professional and/or academic references
• Unofficial transcripts from each institution attended
  • Failure to list any colleges or universities from which the applicant received a degree or enrolled in graduate coursework may result in dismissal from the university.
  • If transcripts are not in English, the applicant must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
  • Applicants will be asked for official transcripts after notification of admission.

This program prepares you to navigate the retail industry, understand the far-reaching impact of consumers, and develop corporate social responsibility initiatives in the following functions:

• buying and merchandising
• market research and entrepreneurial initiatives
• product development
• retail and sales leadership
• promotions and social media marketing
• sourcing and supply chain management

Our alumni have made major career advancements in prominent professional roles such as:

• fashion buyer
• retail sales manager
• market forecaster
• advertising or marketing manager
• wholesale sales manager
• supply chain manager
• market research analyst
• purchasing agent

Along with required coursework, the graduate school requires completion of a culminating experience. To meet this requirement, the merchandising master’s program provides two options:

• The coursework option includes six credit hours of electives and a written exam.
• The project report option requires the completion of a research project and a data analysis course.

You will work with your advisor to design a program of study and select which option meets your professional goals.

Required

• FASH 700 - Foundations of Sustainability (3 credits)
• FASH 725 - Theory and Practice of Soft Goods Marketing and Distribution (3 credits)
• FASH 735 - Promotional Strategies in Merchandising (3 credits)
• FASH 740 - Merchandising Analytics
• FASH 810 - International Merchandise Management (3 credits)
• FASH 815 - Financial Merchandising Implications (3 credits)
• FASH 825 - Strategic Planning for Sustainability (3 credits)
• FASH 840 - Product Development (3 credits)
• FASH 845 - Consumers in the Soft Goods Market (3 credits)
• FASH 850 - Research Methods in Fashion Studies (3 credits)

Project Report Option (6 credits)

• FASH 896 - Project Report (1-3 credits)
• STAT 703 - Introduction to Statistical Methods for the Sciences (3 credits) OR
• Qualitative methods course (3 credits) OR
• Elective course to support project objectives (3 credits)

Coursework Option (6 credits)

• FASH 720 - Professional Advancement in Merchandising (3 credits)
• FASH 870 - Problems in Fashion Studies (1-6 credits)
• FINAN 815 - Foundations of Finance (3 credits)
• MANGT 541 - Management of Quality (3 credits)
• MANGT 810 - Operations and Supply Chain Management (3 credits)
• MANGT 820 - Managing Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
• MKTG 810 - Marketing Concepts and Research (3 credits)
• MKTG 844 - Advanced International Marketing (3 credits)

This program is offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA), which offers you a unique chance to take classes from multiple, high-quality universities. Expand your professional network by collaborating with classmates and expert faculty from across the country who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the coursework.

You will choose K-State to be your home university. Once admitted to K-State, you will work with the Great Plains IDEA campus coordinator who will help you get started and get enrolled in classes. Your campus coordinator assists you through Great Plains IDEA processes and is your link to distance education resources at your university.

Benefits of Studying through Great Plains IDEA

With Great Plains IDEA, there is one affordable common price per credit hour, and there are no out-of-state fees or distance delivery fees. This common price alleviates confusion around tuition since you’ll be taking courses from partner universities as well as K-State. Being able to take classes from more than one university provides you with greater access to high-quality online programming and ensures you are able to balance your education with your work and home responsibilities.

Learn more about how Great Plains IDEA works.