Merchandising Master's Degree

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Merchandising Master's Degree

Merchandising Master's Degree

This online master’s degree in merchandising provides working professionals in the retailing and fashion industry with advanced skills to deliver the right product or service to the consumer in the right place, in the right quantities and at the right time.

In this program, you’ll learn the nuances of consumer behavior and understand how product design, technology, trend analysis, product development, distribution, ethics and social responsibility all factor into business success. Expand your network by interacting with fellow learners from across the country, in positions throughout the supply chain, who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the coursework. Achieve your personal and professional goals through convenient, flexible, high-quality coursework you can complete anytime, anywhere.

$600 per credit hour*

36 credit hours

100% online

*This estimate is based on the GP IDEA common price and is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ depending on your transfer hours, course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Admission Requirements

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

Graduate

International

Nondegree

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.

Careers

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:

Curriculum

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)

Great Plains IDEA Overview

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.