Merchandising

Your Future In Merchandising

Are you interested in fashion, home furnishings or retail? Are you interested in online retail? Want a career with national and international opportunities in fashion- and retail-related industries? Enjoy working at a fast pace? You should pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Merchandising at the University of North Texas.

Merchandising encompasses the planning, developing, presenting and selling of clothing and home furnishings in consumer-driven markets. A bachelor’s degree can help prepare you for many positions, including:

• Buyer for retail stores
• Store manager in retail store operations
• Sales representative in wholesale
• Supplier to retail stores
• Quality control and product development

Graduates have worked as merchandisers for companies such as Fossil, J.C. Penney Co., Havertys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Target, Tuesday Morning and Zale Corp.

What we offer

We teach you to critically analyze merchandising strategies relating to the development, distribution, evaluation and use of fashion-oriented products.

The curriculum is developed in consultation with leaders of the Dallas-Fort Worth retail industry to meet the needs of the profession. One of the classes utilizes Mockshop software to create layouts and plans for store concepts. This is the same software used by international retailers, and we are one of few universities in the nation to own it.

Our Executive-in-Residence program brings merchandising executives to our college for lectures and meetings with students. Recruiters also frequently visit the campus to provide additional insights about career opportunities.

You can earn 3 credit hours through a merchandising study tour. Class destinations include New York City and Dallas where you can tour showrooms, manufacturing facilities, retail establishments, museums and significant historical structures. Study abroad programs, in places such as Hong Kong/China, Korea and India, can provide international exposure to the fashion industry.

We sponsor several student organizations related to merchandising, and our Residents Engaged in Academic Living Community brings Merchandising majors who live on campus together to enhance academic and social experiences. More information about the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism Community is at reslife.unt.edu/.

Scholarships are available to help you pay for your education. They are awarded based on academic excellence, articulation of professional goals and financial need. Scholarship information is available at cmht.unt.edu/ using the undergraduate link.

The Merchandising program is recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the nation. It is a recipient of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute Award for Excellence for innovative and exemplary programs and research.

What to expect

As a Merchandising major, you will take courses in consumer studies, textiles, fashion theory and trend analysis, brand development, promotion, global issues, and merchandising math.

In addition, you must complete 18 hours of business courses, including courses in accounting, management, marketing and retail.

A merchandising portfolio will provide a visual means of showing potential employers the types of classroom and professional development experiences you have. You may also have an opportunity to showcase your work in the college’s annual Research Competition.

Our Career Center, Internships and Cooperative Education office, and professional academic advisors are among the many valuable resources that are available to you at UNT. The Career Center and the Internships and Cooperative Education office can provide advice about future employment opportunities as well as getting hands-on experience in your major. Academic advisors will help you plan your class schedule each semester.

How to enroll at Unt

High school students

We encourage you to fulfill the graduation requirements for the Texas Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program or the equivalent in high school.

In your senior year, apply for admission at www.applytexas.org by March 1 and request that your high school transcript be sent to the UNT admissions office.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses can count toward college credit at UNT. For details, visit www.unt.edu/credit.

Transfer students

If you’re attending a Texas community college, you should consult our Transfer Articulation web page, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/advisor to review your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Our Transfer Center will help you make a successful transition to college life at UNT by connecting you with a peer mentor and other campus resources. More than 3,500 students transfer to UNT each year. The center is in the University Union, Room 320. More information is at transition.unt.edu.