Online Merchandising Degree Program Overviews

Those interested in studying merchandising online can choose from undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Although entry-level positions in the merchandising field usually only require high school education, a degree is beneficial for those who wish to advance to supervisory or management positions.

Overview of an Online Merchandising Bachelor's Degree Program

An online bachelor's degree program in merchandising trains students in retail business operations, materials, marketing and careers. Graduates may more quickly advance to managerial positions in the field than those without a degree. Areas of concentration include consumer and public relations, advertising, training and purchasing.

Program Information and Requirements

Online degree programs are designed to offer flexibility in scheduling, and many students hold jobs while completing required coursework. Generally, distance-learning merchandising programs take the same amount of time to complete as traditional programs, which is about four years of study.
Merchandising students completing classes online are expected to have a personal computer with access to the Internet. Knowledge of word-processing, presentation and spreadsheet software is suggested, and certain programs may need to be installed to complete coursework.

List of Common Online Bachelor's-Level Merchandising Courses

Merchandising courses cover areas of marketing, purchasing, sales and promotion. Business lessons address leadership and management, among other themes. General education requirements in English, math, humanities, social sciences and reading are also typically part of an online merchandising bachelor's degree program.

General Merchandising Course

This class touches upon merchandising principles, terminology, procedures and trends. It also covers retail pricing, profit relationships, inventory, invoice math and cost control. Math-oriented portions explore the relationships between retail markup and profit.

Visual Merchandising Course

Display techniques differ for a store's interior, window displays, mannequins and signage. Students learn to use design elements of line, element, balance, lighting and composition to grab attention in each realm.

Sales Promotion Course

This course discusses using various types of media and in-house advertising to promote sales. Students also learn how to use Internet advertising, ad copy, direct mail, three-dimensional visual effects, print layout and nontraditional campaigns to target customers and stimulate purchases.

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Overview of an Online Merchandising Master's Degree Program

Online merchandising graduate degree programs focus on modern merchandising concepts, resource management, information exchange and consumer behavior. Sales and customer service are also concentrations. Students learn philosophies and character traits applicable to leadership to prepare for higher-level positions in merchandising. Research, strategic planning, technology, trends, ethics and social responsibility are also topics of study at the master's degree level.

Program Information and Requirements

Prospective students must possess a bachelor's degree. Requirements may also include experience in the field, a minimum grade point average in previous college coursework or successfully passing the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Students need access to a personal computer and the Internet. Programs can take anywhere from 2-4 years to complete, depending on the student's personal schedule and hours completed each semester. Most online programs allow enrollees to continue taking courses throughout the summer.

List of Common Online Master's-Level Merchandising Courses

At the graduate level, merchandising programs comprise core coursework as well as general education requirements. Some include an optional minor in areas such as marketing or management. Master's degree programs often require completion of a thesis or final project.

Strategic Merchandising Decisions Course

Strategic merchandising includes a combination of practices, processes, theory and principles. This class covers the effect of consumer-driven markets on sourcing, pricing, styling, assortment and timing of sales.

Consumer Theory and Behavior Course

Participants analyze psychological, sociological and cultural areas of consumer behavior. They learn to use behavior models to make strategic merchandising decisions that influence consumer spending.

Promotional Merchandising Strategies Course

This class touches upon advertising, promotions, public relations, sales techniques and marketing communications. It also covers social responsibility, cultural issues, global awareness and ethics as related to making merchandising decisions.

Career Information

The number of clothing, accessory and merchandise store positions is expected to increase by 11% between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of 2008, median wages for non-supervisor positions were $10.73 per hour in general merchandise stores, while a manager's median wages were $34.24 per hour. Many retailers prefer to hire entry-level managers who have an associate's or bachelor's degree in marketing, merchandising or business (www.bls.gov).