Why study merchandising through IDEA?
The merchandising curriculum provides in-demand skills to advance your career in the apparel or retail industry and is an excellent fit for creatively analytical thinkers. In particular, our technology-rich program expands your ability to improve business strategies through profit maximization, cost-cutting, customer satisfaction, and selling approaches measured through the triple bottom line.
The programs build your ability to complete the following essential merchandising-related job responsibilities:
- Analyze data using a variety of techniques
- Research and implement effective business strategies
- Design customer-focused product development strategies
- Create flexible promotional campaigns
- Balance the sustainable interests of businesses, consumers, and society
- Predict micro and mass-market cost controls
- Understand the evolving standards of corporate social responsibility
Formats for the Merchandising Graduate Program
Catering to the unique needs of students, IDEA offers a master's degree and a graduate certificate program in merchandising. This allows students the flexibility to select the program format that best fits their academic and professional goals.
There is no GRE requirement for application to this program.
Please note that degree and certificate titles vary by university. Consult with your selected home university for the title as it will appear on the diploma or certificate. This degree program does not lead to licensure. Review the official master's degree names at our member institutions in our Merchandising Student Handbook.
The online merchandising master's degree has a 36-credit hour curriculum consisting of ten (10) 3-credit core courses that build expertise in sustainability, retail theory, product design and development, consumer behavior, and financial merchandising implications.
Students round out their merchandising degree by completing six credit hours of practicum, thesis, or elective credits that allows them to specialize in an area of interest and dive deeper into practical learning. Students work closely with their academic advisor to develop a course sequence that meets academic and professional needs.
The ideal fit for someone not ready to pursue a full master's degree, the 12-credit online merchandising graduate certificate features three required courses and one elective course. Courses include consumer behavior, professional advancement, retail theory and current practices, promotional strategies, and product design and development. The certificate supports the acquisition of skills that can accent a professional career in retail and merchandising.
Program Outcomes in Merchandising
Today's socially conscious customers rely on real-time reviews and social feedback of products and services to make their purchasing decisions, and the power they hold is instrumental in an organization's success. The programs at IDEA prepare 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
As a result of this comprehensive preparation, IDEA alumni credit the degree and certificate programs as a reason for promotions and salary increases. Furthermore, the merchandising master's degree graduates have made major career advancement 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
Affordable, Flexible, and Effective
IDEA is dedicated to providing an affordable online education, offering a common price per credit hour at all universities regardless of degree program or course and whether in or out of state. Learn more about IDEA on our How It Works page.
Both the master's degree and graduate certificate programs in merchandising are offered entirely online, fitting conveniently within the need to balance home, work, and academic responsibilities, especially for those unable to make it to a campus. The average time to completion for the master's degree is 28 months and 12 months for the graduate certificate.
"One of my favorite things about IDEA is that faculty from across many universities get to work together, bounce ideas off one another, and make sure the curriculum is the absolute highest quality. We have so many diverse perspectives among faculty, providing us multiple ways to teach information most effectively. We are a close-knit family in the merchandising program."
Linda Manikowske, associate professor at North Dakota State University
Experienced Faculty Dedicated to Student Success
Faculty in the merchandising graduate programs have extensive experience in the industry, providing you with direct access to some of the leading minds in their field. Their experience helps you put theory into practice, developing your real-world skill set to excel in your career. They are dedicated to your success as mentors and lead an engaging online academic experience that maximizes retention and promotes success. Get to know more about the merchandising faculty members at the bottom of the page.
Launch an Exciting Career in Retail and Merchandising through IDEA
IDEA's online merchandising master's degree and graduate certificate programs provide you with the advanced knowledge to excel in the modern competitive retail, apparel, and merchandising industries.
What You Will Learn
How You Will Learn