Prepare for a dynamic career in the exciting world of fashion.
A major in Fashion Merchandising is the ideal introduction to a rewarding career in fashion buying, selling, visual merchandising or retail management.
When you pursue this major at Ashland University, you are immersed in a curriculum of fashion analysis, textiles and fashion evolution as well as business courses in marketing, retail merchandising and advertising. Through a cooperative program, you can take your junior year to complete an associate of arts degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and return to Ashland to finish your bachelor’s degree. Or, spend a month in Paris at the Paris Fashion Institute earning credits that transfer to Ashland. When you graduate, you’ll be ready to begin your career bringing the latest fashions to the marketplace.
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What You’ll Love About the Fashion Merchandising Major:
- You’ll have lots of opportunities to express your creativity through fashion show presentations, service learning projects and hands-on class assignments such as working with a local entrepreneur to develop a line of tote bags (recent class project) or designing an evening dress or sports outfit.
- You will work closely with your professors and get to know them well. Most Fashion Merchandising classes include no more than 18 students, so professors are well familiar with your career goals and interests.
- You’ll undertake a research project of your own choosing such as these recent projects: College Students Beliefs and Knowledge about Environmentally Friendly Fashion, College Students’ Perceptions of Off-Price Apparel and Mood Reflection in Dress.
- You will complete an internship within the fashion industry that gives you an up-close look at your exciting career ahead.
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Reach Your Career Goals
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When you graduate with a Fashion Merchandising major, you will be qualified to hold positions such as:
- Apparel product engineer
- Assistant buyer
- Boutique owner
- Buyer
- Department manager
- Events organizer
- Executive trainee
- Fashion consultant
- Manager
- Market researcher
- Marketing assistant
- Merchandising analyst
- Merchandising researcher
- Visual merchandiser
Expand your career possibilities by adding:
- Minor in Business Administration by taking three additional classes
- Master’s in Business Administration — add a solid business credential to your fashion merchandising degree
- Minor in Journalism — create a niche for yourself in fashion journalism
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Inspiring, Creative Professors
- Your professors bring the world of fashion merchandising to life through creative classroom activities such as guest speakers from top fashion retailers, class fashion shows and service learning opportunities such as the “Sew Much Comfort” project through which students created adaptive clothing for wounded soldiers and “Project Linus” through which students fashioned cuddly fleece blankets for children in need.
- Professors teach every class, not graduate students or teaching assistants.
- Professors work closely with you, mentoring and advising you on your career path, professional development and research projects.
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Gain Real World Experience
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Every student pursuing a Fashion Merchandising major undertakes an internship in the field. Recent internships have included fun and educational assignments such as:
- Working with buyers at New York & Company in New York City
- Assisting in the accessories department at Glamour magazine
- Helping with merchandising for the Cleveland Indians sports team
- Working as Design Intern at Rebecca Ray Design Firm
- Serving as a Management Assistant at Nordstroms
- Working as a Merchandising Assistant for Russell Athletic Corporation in Atlanta
In addition, you will gain practical experience through service learning projects available through the department and through your personal research project.
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Interesting Classes You May Take
- Textiles — Study the fibers, yarns, fabric constructions and finishes of the fabrics currently in use for clothing and interiors.
- Fashion Industry — Explore the history and development of the fashion industry, its operation, merchandising activities and current industry trends from the producers of raw materials to retail distribution of consumer goods.
- Ready to Wear Analysis — Examine and evaluate ready-to-wear apparel and its details for construction, style, quality and fit. Apparel manufacturing terms, techniques, production methods and costing will be discussed.
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Organizations for Fashion merchandising Majors
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