Are you passionate passion for fashion? Are you pursuing management and marketing? Then this could be your career. An online fashion merchandising degree provides fashion techniques, styles, and how to translate concepts into marketable products. The fashion industry is a thriving business that’s far more than just making clothes. From producers to major retailers, numerous processes go into styling well and representing garments and those who wear them.
Let’s begin as we unfold a few of the best online fashion merchandising degree programs! Read on to learn about merchandiser salary, careers, admissions, and associations for practitioners in this field.
Article Navigation: What is Fashion Merchandising? | General Overview: Online Fashion Merchandising Degree | How To Choose The Right Program | Best Online Fashion Merchandising Degree Programs | Certification and Licensure | Careers In Merchandising | Job Outlook for Fashion Merchandisers | Professional Organizations | FAQs | Earn A Fashion Merchandising Degree Online
What is Fashion Merchandising?
In retail operations, fashion merchandising involves forecasting and researching trends that target demographics preferred at any given time.
At the production level, fashion merchandising is the art of predicting upcoming styles, colors, sizes, and quantities. Then, merchandisers determine the best price to charge merchants for the apparel.
What Does a Merchandiser Do?
Merchandisers are in charge of products being brought to the store until a customer takes them off the shelf. They keep close tabs on product availability and aesthetic appeal in various contexts.
General Overview: Online Fashion Merchandising Degree
A fashion merchandising degree exposes students to the business side of trending fashion. The degree equips students with the skills and expertise necessary to flourish in fields including:
- Fashion retail operations
- Product development
- Merchandising management
- Product analysis
Depending on your career goals, some notable degrees for fashion merchandising include:
- Associate of Science in Fashion Merchandising
- Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising
- Master of Business Administration in Global Fashion Merchandising Management
What To Expect
In fashion merchandising programs, students engage in foundational courses in fashion and commercial and management aspects of the industry. Also, students learn about fashion design and family and consumer science. Subsequently, graduates will have a firm foundation in business to help them flourish in the fashion industry.
Curriculum areas in this program also expose graduates to economics, marketing, and psychology. Many courses also use design-related software and equipment to explore IT in the fashion industry.
Fashion Merchandising Courses
Courses in fashion merchandising programs generally include the following:
- Merchandise Buying
- Visual Merchandising
- Consumer Behavior
- Retail Operations
- Color Theory
- Financial Accounting
- Management Accounting
Admission Requirements for a Fashion Merchandising Degree
For graduate certificate programs in fashion merchandising, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Submission of an Official Academic Transcript from an accredited college
- A fashion merchandising bachelor’s degree or a closely related field
- A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.6/3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Statement of Purpose
For Associate programs, candidates must submit the following:
- An official high school transcript
- Minimum GRE scores
- High school qualification
Paying for Your Online Fashion Merchandising Degree
Available college funding options include FAFSA, government grants, graduate assistantships, employer loans, state scholarships, and personal savings.
Acquired Skills
Organizational and Analytical Skills
Students explore a diverse range of analytical techniques to track trending fashion patterns in the industry. They also learn efficient ways to organize merchandise while analyzing out-of-stock and restocking products.
Communication Skills
Fashion merchandising students acquire communication skills to effectively work in a team, with knowledge in diversity, leadership, and more.
Artistic skills
Learners will gain sought-after merchandiser skills on how to translate concepts into reality. Through this program, aspiring fashion merchandisers will gain various artistic competencies in color theory and fabric pattern making to aid their success in this field.
Note: Other merchandiser skills learned in this program include CAD software competency, financial accounting, and budgeting.
Timeline
It generally takes two years to earn an associate’s degree. A bachelor’s degree may take around four years or less, depending on credit transfer. However, a master’s degree can take one to two years.
How To Choose The Right Program
Here are a few checklists to follow when considering an online fashion merchandising degree:
Cost
Fashion merchandising certificate programs are due on a cost-per-credit hour basis. Aspiring students can expect to pay between $300 to $750 per credit hour. Furthermore, tuition costs aren’t the same across various colleges.
Admission Requirements
For a master’s program in fashion merchandising, graduates must hold a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field. Most associate programs necessitate applicants to submit a high school diploma.
For graduate programs, candidates must submit an official college transcript, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Depending on the institution, applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.6/3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Program Format
Fashion merchandising degrees are available via hybrid, on-campus, and online learning options. The flexibility of hybrid and online learning generally fits the schedules of working students.
Location
If you are on a tight budget, consider the online learning option. You can save on transportation costs and the mental stress of attending long-distance colleges. In-state vs. out-of-state costs are often different, so research the cost of your program before deciding.
Accreditation
Accreditation plays a vital role in the credibility of degrees issued by colleges and universities. You must ensure that your school is accredited by government bodies such as the Higher Learning Commission, New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), etc.
Certification Opportunities
In a fashion merchandising program, it’s vital to take part in certification opportunities that might come along during practicum or internships.
Best Online Fashion Merchandising Degree Programs
Now, let’s examine some of the top degrees available at the associate, master’s, and bachelor’s levels.
Associate
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Degree Offered: Associate of Science in Fashion Merchandising
Course Duration: 2 years
Southern New Hampshire University offers an AS degree in Fashion Merchandising that focuses on applying fashion merchandising theory and retailing. During this program, candidates will take classes in color theory, marketing, textiles, and retail sales. In addition, they will gain solid business expertise that will be useful to them in various fields.
At SNHU, graduates explore various business practices and techniques, including Information technology, Sales promotion, Managerial Accounting, Human Relations, Marketing, and Financial accounting. Also, students acquire in-depth knowledge of trends and styling alongside courses to help them in the fashion industry/sector business aspect.
After completing the program, candidates will can:
- Apply psychologically sound principles to sales practices
- Employ fundamental color theory in fashion merchandising
- Examine the variations between the retail and wholesale settings
- Recognize the product’s life cycle retailing in the fashion industry
Bachelor
1. Southern New Hampshire University
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising Management
Course Duration: 3 years
Southern New Hampshire University offers a BS in Fashion Merchandising Management. It equips practitioners for professions in fashion marketing, merchandising, branding, and retail. Through career-based projects, students can pursue fashion industry jobs in new areas like social media, visual merchandising, and online store management.
Also, the fashion merchandising bachelor degree covers consumer behavior, marketing, color theory, retail operations, and management. Students will learn how to spot styles that sell and techniques to market them appropriately and ingeniously. Furthermore, they will acquire industry experience by finishing a core fashion merchandising practicum.
Upon completing this program, they can:
- Illustrate how fashion and business decisions correlate to industry technology
- Integrate management techniques and theories to actualize retail objectives.
2. Old Dominion University
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising
Course Duration: 3 years
Old Dominion University provides Fashion Merchandising degrees to prospective students worldwide. Via this course, learners gain in-depth knowledge of product development, retail merchandising, advertising, and promotion. Also, they will learn steps in the pre-production processes of product development, from planning and fabricating to pricing and sourcing.
At ODU:
- Students learn to do market research, evaluate company performance, and create strategies that successfully satisfy consumer wants.
- Students work with a big fashion firm to produce an in-depth research project.
Note: ODU offers an affordable fashion merchandising bachelor’s degree to respective applicants.
3. Central Michigan University
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Applied Arts / Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Design
Course Duration: 3 years
Central Michigan University offers BA/BS in Fashion Merchandising and Design that combines business knowledge with fashion theory. To this end, students develop skills to work successfully in the fashion industry. During this program, candidates will learn to think imaginatively, fix issues, and use technologies.
Also, the concentration areas in this program are Visual Merchandising and Product Development.
4. Johnson & Wales University (JWU)
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Degree Offered: Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Retailing
Johnson & Wales University provides a BS in Fashion Merchandising and Retailing. During this program, students uncover the economics of trading fashion goods and how to predict market trends. Furthermore, they learn the techniques required to showcase and market goods successfully. Concentrations include the following:
- Fashion Marketing
- Merchandise Buying
A few of the sample coursework in this field include:
- Fashion Promotion
- Fashion and Retail Lab
- Merchandise Buying
- Visual Merchandising
- The Business of Fashion
At JWU, students acquire hands-on training via internships, professional site excursions with business leaders, and business events.
Additionally, this program provides extensive study abroad possibilities tailored exclusively for students studying fashion merchandising and retailing.
Master
1. Johnson & Wales University
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Degree Offered: Master of Business Administration / Global Fashion Merchandising Management
Johnson & Wales University offers an MBA in Global Fashion Merchandising Management. Students develop into experts who hold senior positions in the international fashion sector. Furthermore, they learn to conduct research, integrate theoretical knowledge, and use optimization techniques to tackle problems.
Courses for this master’s in fashion merchandising may cover the following:
- Merchandising management
- Sustainability
- Consumer behavior
In addition, analyzing the effects of fashion industries in matters related to the production, distribution, manufacturing, retailing, and marketing of goods.
Upon finishing this curriculum, graduates can:
- Interpret, gather, and evaluate research studies to foster decision-making at strategic and operational levels of an enterprise or organization
- Use assertive communication skills and awareness of multicultural differences in domestic and global business interactions.
Certification and Licensure
For most, certification opens doors to several opportunities in this field. However, certifications and licenses are not often necessary for fashion merchandisers. Practitioners may take some form of continuing education through online certificates in merchandising.
Careers In Merchandising
There are various careers in fashion merchandising available to graduates in this field.
Below, we will explore some of the typical fashion merchandising jobs that undergraduates can choose from:
Merchandising Manager
Merchandising managers focus on a business’s merchandise and marketing strategies. They manage the purchasing process, predict trends and demand for goods, and negotiate with suppliers. In addition, they are in charge of running the whole retail operation for a store’s departments while overseeing the retail store’s appearance.
According to PayScale, the average annual wage of a merchandising manager as of August 2022 is $66,869. Moreover, the salary in this career tends to increase based on years of working experience.
Merchandising Consultant
Merchandising consultants are experts in creating sales and marketing initiatives for fashion businesses. They carry out merchandising strategies in line with predetermined revenue targets. Also, they conduct market research and create marketing promotions that appeal to different target demographics.
Based on the PayScale report, the median hourly wage of a merchandising consultant is $13.78.
Note: With a bachelor’s degree in this field, certificate holders can quickly get fashion merchandising jobs in this area.
Visual Merchandising Manager
A visual merchandising manager is in charge of organizing visual displays. They monitor a shop’s revenue activity and develop innovative product plans to promote sales and boost profitability.
Based on PayScale statistics, the median yearly salary of a visual merchandising manager as of September 2022 is $69,642.
Note: Most merchandising salaries depend on verifiable core expertise.
Assistant Fashion Buyer
Assistant fashion buyers assist with product selection and bargaining with suppliers in the best interest of retail brands and businesses. They advise on what products to buy, plan sales activities, create financial plans, analyze cost advantages and fashion trends, and handle customer issues. Furthermore, they possess technical skills for tracking products and performing financial statistics and online research.
As of May 2022, an assistant fashion buyer makes $60,505 per annum, according to PayScale.
Sourcing Manager
Sourcing managers oversee and assess the expenses associated with procurement. In the fashion industry, they establish sourcing strategies and locate a company’s most valuable supply partners. Additionally, they draft cost projections and estimations for the acquisition of products while also negotiating fair and cost-effective deals.
According to PayScale, the median annual income of sourcing managers as of September 2022 is $94,844.
Job Outlook for Fashion Merchandisers
Notwithstanding the modest employment growth, BLS.gov reports that there will be, on average, 2,300 vacancies for fashion merchandisers over the next ten years. These vacancies are due to people who change careers or leave the workforce because of retirement.
Fashion merchandising majors are in demand due to the current economy and the rise of social media trends in the fashion industry.
Due to the extremely high demand for merchandisers, practitioners are taking advanced graduate courses such as a master’s degree. This way, they can gain more in-depth knowledge of the sector and remain competitive in the eyes of recruiters.
How Much do Fashion Merchandisers Make?
Based on recent PayScale statistics, the average fashion merchandiser’s salary as of August 2022 is $52,000.
But what are the highest-paying jobs I can get with a bachelor’s in fashion merchandising?
Here are a few lists of the most lucrative jobs available to graduates in this field: Fashion event coordinator
- Merchandising director
- Fashion trend analyst
- Assistant fashion buyer
The career growth of most of these occupations will continue to be on a steady rise due to the demand for more fashion products/items.
Career Advancement
Most fashion merchandisers often start entry-level employment as salespeople at retail stores. As they gain experience, some of these specialists advance into management or purchasing roles. Other fashion merchandisers might start their own respective retail businesses. Those with more industry knowledge venture out as consultants who assist companies in determining the best combination of products to sell.
In this field, further career advancement leads to an increase in employee fashion merchandising salary.
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations in the fashion merchandising industry are excellent sources for studies, networking, events, news, and jobs. A list of these associations dedicated to fashion merchandisers includes:
- Fashion Group International
- Costume Society of America
- American Marketing Association
- Association of Sewing and Design Professionals
- International Textile and Apparel Association
- Council of Fashion Designers of America
- American Apparel and Footwear Association
- American Apparel Producers’ Network
FAQs
What is the degree of fashion merchandising?
A degree in fashion merchandising equips students with business strategies and techniques relevant to the fashion sector.
How do I become a fashion merchandiser?
For careers in fashion merchandising, follow our “How to Find the Right Program” guide above. Merchandisers are choosing degrees to stay competitive in this sector.
After earning a degree, pursue an internship in any fashion-related organization to acquire hands-on experience.
What are the 4 types of merchandise?
The four main types of merchandise are:
- Specialty goods
- Convenience goods
- Shopping products
- Impulse goods
What are the different types of merchandising?
The major types of merchandising are
- Omnichannel Merchandising
- Retail Merchandising
- Visual Merchandising
- Product Merchandising
- Online/eCommerce Merchandising
What is the description of fashion merchandising?
The description of fashion merchandising outlines this field’s roles/responsibilities and processes.
Is fashion merchandising a career?
This profession entails forecasting, strategizing, and catering to consumer fashion. The popular profession optimizes sales and financial growth in this industry. The career is for anyone passionate about business and fashion.
Is a fashion merchandiser’s salary worth it?
Yes, it’s worth it, and employees in this sector are generally happy with their paychecks.
Is a degree in fashion merchandising worth it?
A fashion merchandising degree is advantageous and beneficial for students pursuing this career.
Merchandising vs. Marketing
These two career paths are not the same. Merchandising involves sourcing products in demand, while marketing is the art of advertising the goods to potential buyers.
Can I get a fashion merchandising degree online?
Many fashion merchandising colleges offer this type of degree to prospective applicants.
Earn A Fashion Merchandising Degree Online
As the fashion sector continues to grow globally, there is an increasing demand for highly trained and knowledgeable professionals. Due to this, an online fashion merchandising degree will benefit those who aim to leverage the plethora of opportunities available in this industry.
At GetEducated.com, we encourage you to leverage our educational resources throughout your career journey.