Retail and Consumer Science is designed to develop professionals who can integrate knowledge of consumers and merchandising processes and apply that knowledge to a broad spectrum of problems facing individual consumers, families, service agencies, and retail marketers of products and services. Retail and Consumer Science focuses on analyzing the consumer as a social and economic unit of society and on the process of merchandising products to consumers.

Professional development in this program includes trend analysis, selling, merchandising experience, internship, self assessment, professional goal setting, networking and portfolio development. Processes of retail marketing and consumer affairs are emphasized.

Graduates will:

• Apply retail management techniques and principles to the buying and selling of products and services.
• Have the option to enhance their professional development through the Electronic (online) Consumer Science and Merchandising courses (E-CSM), allowing students to earn money while they learn skills from remote locations.
• Demonstrate the relationship between consumers and businesses through employment in the fields of retail marketing, fashion, sales, buying, public relations, and education.
• Display the computer skills required for the merchandising professional in today's marketplace.

Students pursuing the Retail and Consumer Science degree must complete the following requirements in addition to the university core requirements and general college requirements.

University Core Curriculum

For information on the University Core, please see the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Please note that some majors have specific requirements in the core curriculum. Refer to the specific degree plans in this catalog for those requirements.

Retail and Consumer Science Major Requirements

HDCS 3300. Organizational Decisions in Technology
or
TELS 3340. Organizational Leadership and Supervision

HDCS 3301. Consumer Science

HDCS 3303. Merchandising and Consumer Sciences

HDCS 3304. Visual Merchandising

HDCS 3369. Entrepreneurship

HDCS 4300. Research Concepts

HDCS 4303. Merchandising Systems

HDCS 4380. Merchandising

HDCS 4386. Communication Strategies for Merchandising and Industrial Distribution

HDCS 4393. Internship in HDCS

SCLT 2380. Distribution Channels or HDCS 4375. Strategies in E-Tailing

SCLT 3381. Industrial and Consumer Sales

TECH 3365. Applications of Discrete Methods in Technology

HRD 4340. Introduction to Training and Development

Major GPA will be calculated based on the major requirements and the professional studies area of specialization.

Professional Studies Area of Specialization:

Choose one (1) 15 hour specialization or elective block from those listed below (15 SH)

College Requirements

Mathematics/Reasoning

Writing in the Disciplines

Program Requirements:

Computer Literacy

Electives: 12 SH minimum (or minor)

Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science
Major: Retail and Consumer Science