Undergraduate Studies in Merchandising Management
Students in the Merchandising Management program prepare for positions
in management, merchandising, inventory control, sales promotion, public
relations, or human resources. This field offers a wide variety of career
opportunities with retailers, manufacturers, marketing research firms
and product information services. In a global, diverse, and fast paced,
competitive environment, merchandisers are involved in market analysis,
product planning, sourcing, procurement, pricing, distribution and visual
presentation of textile products to satisfy consumer needs.
Major Requirements
As you earn a degree in Merchandising Management from OSU, you gain knowledge
and skills in a number of areas:
To study merchandising management at OSU, you enroll in the Department
of Design and Human Environment, located in the College of Health and
Human Sciences.
For specific course requisites within the major, see the OSU
General Catalog.
Career Opportunities
The current job market for merchandising management graduates is
good, particularly for those interested in retail store management.
Career opportunities in Merchandising Management include the following:
Field Experience
The Merchandising Management Field Experience is a cooperative program
among the Department of Design and Human Environment, firms engaged
in the retailing or manufacture of textile products, and qualified
junior and senior students who are preparing for management careers
in merchandising. It combines the study of principles of merchandising
with on-the-job management experience.
There are two phases to the program. Prior to field experience participation
students study product development and principles of merchandising. Students submit
applications during spring term (one year prior to field experience summer).
Students then participate in orientation courses (DHE 400) both fall and winter term
to prepare for their work experience.
This is followed by the "Field Experience" (DHE 410), employment
off campus at a selected firm for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks and 300
hours during summer term. Internship sites are determined by mutual agreement
among a firm’s human resources manager, the university supervisor,
and the student. A variety of tasks assigned by the firm provides the
student with training and management experience.
During the employment period, supervision is directed by personnel
in the employing firm. Contact between the student and university
supervisor is maintained by weekly written reports and during the employment
period.
Seminars to discuss on-the-job experience in relationship to principles
of merchandising management are conducted in those cities where sufficient
numbers of students are employed. Written assignments for which the
student gathers information about the organization and operation
of the employing firm are completed during the work period.
Evaluation of student performance is done by the supervising personnel
in the firm and by the university supervisor. This is discussed with
the student as an aid in career development. A total of 12 credits
are earned during the summer term of participation and "Field
Experience" (DHE 410) is graded on an A-F basis.
The program is elective and qualified* juniors and seniors majoring
or minoring in Merchandising Management are eligible to apply for admission
to the program. The application process begins during spring term of
the year preceding participation. An application can be obtained from
the department office located in MLM 224 or from the DHE Internship Coordinator.
To be accepted the student must:
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Have attained junior or senior standing and majoring in Merchandising Management
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Have achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (student below a 2.5 at the time of application can be accepted provisionally subject to attainment of the 2.5 by the term of participation).
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Have earned at least a C grade for DHE 370, Textile and Apparel Market Analysis
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Have earned at least a D- grade for BA 215, Fundamentals of Accounting.
*It is highly recommended that students also have completed DHE 326 Sewn Products Analysis,
DHE 470 Retail Merchandising, and BA 390 Marketing.
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Indicate long-range career plans and some understanding of the requirements for a career in merchandising management.
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Show evidence of ability to assume leadership and responsibility and make mature decisions in coursework, previous jobs, and/or extra-curricular activities.
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Indicate willingness to carry out all on-the-job assignments in a professional manner and to use individual initiative during the on-the-job experience.
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Show ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
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Show evidence of ability and desire to represent the University and the Merchandising Management Field Experience Program at a professional level.
