Why Study Merchandising?
An interest in buying, selling or promoting products defines the merchandising major. Merchandising provides students with skills necessary to plan, develop, and present product lines for exciting careers within the retail industry.
Study tour of New York City
Program Overview:
The merchandising program at East Tennessee State University provides students with product knowledge and merchandising skills necessary for diverse career opportunities within the apparel, textiles, and retailing industries. The study of merchandising emphasizes both creativity and development of merchandising expertise enabling the graduate to function successfully in the dynamic and fast-paced retail industry.
Emphasis is placed on personal and professional growth and development, written and oral communication skills, decision-making, and problem-solving. Numerous opportunities are offered to set goals and effectively work with others to develop leadership skills and flexibility.
Favorable employment opportunities in merchandising are found locally, nationally, and internationally. The successful merchandiser can find many fulfilling and lucrative career opportunities with potential for rapid advancement. Upon completion of the program, the student receives a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in marketing and a concentration in merchandising.
Merchandising Course Schedule:
Merchandising Course Sequencing:
Sophomore Spring Semester:
MKTG 2220 Perspectives on Dress, Culture & Society
MKTG 3230 Fashion Fundamentals
Junior Fall Semester:
MKTG 3215 Consumer Textiles
MKTG 4220 Fashion Merchandising (prerequisite MKTG 3230)
Junior Spring Semester:
MKTG 3225 Apparel Product Analysis (prerequisite MKTG 3215)
MKTG 4240 Visual Merchandising (prerequisite MKTG 4220)
Junior May Semester:
MKTG 4221 Merchandising Study Tour (prerequisite MKTG 4220)
Senior Fall Semester:
MKTG 4250 Advertising and Promotion (prerequisite MKTG 4220)
MKTG 4261 Merchandising Internship (prerequisite MKTG 4220)
Senior Spring Semester:
MKTG 4255 Merchandise Planning & Buying (prerequisite MKTG 4220)
- Due to course sequencing, failure to complete courses in the designated semester will impact graduation dates
Visit the Catalog to review the Merchandising Concentration course checklist.
Visit the Catalog to review the Merchandising Minor course checklist.
Educational Opportunities:
- Field trips
- Seminars with merchandising professionals
- Merchandising Internships
- Laboratory experiences
- Attendance at major market centers
- Study tour of New York City
Career Opportunities:
- Apparel/textile product developer
- Buyer
- Entrepreneur
- Fashion advertising/promotion executive
- Fashion editor/reporter
- Manufacturer's representative
- Personal shopper/wardrobe consultant
- Photographic or wardrobe stylist
- Public relations director for apparel/textile firms
- Retail manager
- Special events coordinator
- Trend analyst/forecaster
- Visual merchandiser
Faculty Contact:
Kelly Green Atkins, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor
423-439-5384
atkins@etsu.edu
Helpful Links:
American Collegiate Retailing Association
Americas Mart - Atlanta
Dallas Market Center
International Council of Shopping Centers
International Textile and Apparel Association
National Retail Federation
The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association
