Fashion Merchandising & Retailing B.S.
Degree: B.S.
Location(s): Rhode Island
Length: 4 years
Internship: Required, 6 credits
Credits: 121
Where Business Meets Fashion
There’s more to the fashion industry than modeling and designing. How do retailers know which products to stock or trends to jump on? There’s a global network standing behind the fashion industry influencing what’s for sale. Our Fashion Merchandising & Retailing program will teach you how to choose the best looks, trends, colors, silhouettes and more to create a strong product assortment.
At JWU Providence, you’ll also learn about the economics involved in buying and selling fashion merchandise, how to forecast future trends in the industry, and the strategies needed to display and sell merchandise effectively. You’ll be prepared for careers in merchandise management, sales management, visual merchandising, fashion marketing, fashion forecasting and more.
Our location in the heart of Providence means you’re steps away from eclectic neighborhoods filled with chic boutiques, fresh streetwear apparel and vintage shops. .
Curriculum
Credits Business Foundations | ||
| ACCT1210 | Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT1220 | Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| BUSN1001 | Introduction to Business and Management | 3 |
| BUSN3010 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| BUSN4030 | Global Strategy Capstone | 3 |
| FISV2000 | Finance | 3 |
| FIT1040 | Spreadsheet Design for Business Solutions | 3 |
| LAW2001 | The Legal Environment of Business I | 3 |
| MGMT2001 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| MGMT2030 | Operations and Supply Chain Management I | 3 |
| MRKT1001 | Marketing Foundations | 3 |
| Major Courses | ||
| RTL1030 | Retailing Principles & Practices | 3 |
| RTL1080 | Design and Merchandising | 3 |
| RTL2008 | The Textiles Industry | 3 |
| RTL2122 | Retail and Fashion Lab | 4 |
| RTL3065 | Forecasting | 3 |
| RTL3240 | Retail Math | 3 |
| RTL4050 | Strategic Planning in Merchandising | 3 |
| Major Electives | ||
| One RTL-designated course at the 2000 level or higher | 3 | |
| Applied/Experiential Learning | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| College of Business Internship | ||
Study Abroad | ||
| University Core Curriculum | ||
| Communicating | 9 | |
| Rhetoric & Composition I | ||
| Rhetoric & Composition II | ||
| Communication Skills | ||
| Connecting | 6 | |
Two courses with the Connecting attribute (ECNG), one at the 2000 level, one at the 4000 level | ||
| Experiencing | 6 | |
| Ethics: A Global Perspective | ||
Additional course with the Experiencing attribute (EEXP) in a different discipline | ||
| Measuring | 6 | |
| A Survey of College Mathematics (or higher, based on student’s placement) | ||
| Statistics I | ||
| Exploring | 3 | |
One course with the Exploring attribute (EEPL) | ||
| Interacting | 6 | |
| Microeconomics | ||
Additional course with the Interacting attribute (EINT) in a different discipline | ||
| A&S Electives | 6 | |
| Macroeconomics | ||
| Fashion Writing | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| 15 credits selected from 1000-4999 numbered offerings within the university | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 121.0 | |
Chase Menendez ’22: Designing His Future in Fashion
Chase Menendez prepared for his dream job through connections with alumni, real-world projects and faculty mentorships. “The fashion industry is constantly changing, and everybody has the opportunity to be creative and show who they really are through the collections they create and the clothes they make,” he said.
Neely Connor ’25 Explores Fashion in New York City
Fashion Merchandising & Retailing major Neely Connor joined the program’s annual New York City trip, where students get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the headquarters of several fashion brands.
“It’s hard to choose a favorite part of the trip since each place we visited was super cool in its own way.”
Fashion in Action
Hands-on learning is at the core of our fashion program — and built right into your coursework. Not only will you take courses in the Retail and Fashion Lab, you’ll also be encouraged to get experience in the field through an internship with a business partner or Study Abroad program.
No matter what you choose, you will graduate with a portfolio of projects and experiences to showcase on your résumé.
What You’ll Experience in the Fashion Program
- Participate in exclusive site visits to local boutiques, national headquarters and major shopping hubs like New York City and Boston
- Gain practical experience in our state-of-the-art Retail and Fashion Lab
- Engage with industry professionals through guest lectures and mentorships
- Explore global perspectives with Study Abroad opportunities
Retail & Fashion Lab
The Retail and Fashion Lab in Xavier Academic Complex creates a simulated showroom and retail environment for students to learn. You’ll practice styling, merchandising and promotions. You will also use this space to analyze and compare fabrics, create mood boards and lead presentations.
Career Possibilities
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
- Merchandise buyer
- Social media coordinator
- Brand manager
- Product development
- Visual merchandiser
- Showroom coordinator
- Sales representative
- Fashion forecaster
Study Fashion Merchandising & Retailing at JWU
Faculty Contact
Debbie Howarth, Ed.D.
Professor and Chair of Business Programs
401-598-1484
debbie.howarth@jwu.edu