The major in fashion merchandising requires a strong background in marketing, business and specialized professional courses with an emphasis on globalism. Students are directed toward assignments that will develop their skills in research, writing, presentation and critical thinking. Graduates find career opportunities in fashion forecasting, product development, advertising and promotion, retail management, buying, and international marketing.

Internships provide not only experience but industry contacts, and are strongly recommended. They may be conducted primarily during the summer semester.

Study abroad programs are readily available for fashion merchandising majors.

Degree requirements for Fashion, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a fashion merchandising concentration

Learning outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know and know how to do the following:

Implement technical skills: The program will provide students with technical knowledge and skills of contemporary computer software.
Utilize problem-solving: Apply quantitative and qualitative skills to problem-solving within the apparel industry. Students will be familiar with the various levels of the fashion industry, and understand how the different business levels and segments intersect. Students will have knowledge of numerous occupations in the fashion industry.
Understand the fashion industry and its occupations: Students will understand the workings of the wholesale segment of the fashion industry including market segmentation, buyer behavior and career opportunities. Numerous simulations and outside evaluators will be used.
Understand the wholesale industry: Students will understand how theoretical perspectives on markets, trade and economic development can be applied to historical and current data on production, consumption and trade.
Understand global economics: Students will understand how theoretical perspectives on markets, trade and economic development can be applied to historical and current data on production, consumption and trade.
Application of the design principles: Students will successfully apply the elements and principles of design to various fashion-related projects and presentations.
Knowledge of the theory of contemporary fashion: Students will be aware of the historical significance of fashion in contemporary history.
Application of merchandising math: Students will demonstrate understanding of the fashion buyer’s job with regard to merchandise planning and control.

General Education requirements	Credits
University Core Education Curriculum (minimum 21 credits)
UNIV 111 Focused Inquiry I	3
UNIV 112 Focused Inquiry II	3
UNIV 200 Writing and Rhetoric	3
Approved humanities/fine arts	3
Approved natural/physical sciences	3-4
Approved quantitative literacy	3-4
Approved social/behavioral sciences	3-4

General Education directed electives* (9 credits)


Collateral requirements (31 credits)
ACCT 202 Accounting for Non-business Majors	3
ARTH 104 Survey of Western Art	3
INFO 162 Digital Literacy: Spreadsheets Skills I	1
MGMT 323 Legal Environment of Business	3
MKTG 301 Marketing Principles	3
MKTG 315 Buyer Behavior	3
MKTG/INTL 320 International Marketing	3
MKTG 330 Integrated Marketing Communications	3
MKTG 340 Retail Management	3
Art history elective	3
English literature or foreign language	3

Major courses (43 credits)
FASH 145 Computers for Fashion I	3
FASH 240 Survey of the Fashion Industry I	3
FASH 241 Survey of the Fashion Industry II	3
FASH 250 Concepts of Fashion Merchandising Environment	3
FASH 290 Textiles for the Fashion Industry	3
FASH 319 Contemporary Fashion	3
FASH 341 Merchandise Planning and Control	3
FASH 342 Retail Buying Simulation	3
FASH 343 Fashion Forecasting	3
FASH 443 Supervision and Management	3
FASH 445 Advanced Application in Store Development (capstone course)	3
FASH 450 Line Development	3
FASH 451 Importing and Exporting Fashion	3
FASH 490 Fashion Seminar	1
Fashion elective: select one course from electives below**	3

Open electives (16 credits)***	16

Total minimum requirement	120

* Directed electives are VCU “general education” electives.
** Fashion electives are FASH 210 Visual Merchandising, FASH 350 Fashion Promotion, FASH 380 Fashion Branding
*** Open electives are any courses from any department within the university.

Note: Internships are not required but are strongly recommended. FASH 493 Fashion Internship may be taken for one, two or three credits.

Click here to download a sample outline.