Program: BSFM - Bachelor of Science
Introduction
The role of fashion merchandisers is to plan, develop, and present product lines. To that end, the fashion department at Mercyhurst University provides a broad range of both career and learning opportunities. The Fashion Industry is one of the most diverse areas of study.
The Fashion Merchandising Studies at Mercyhurst are unique in that we focus on three basic categories of study:
1. The individual person
2. The product
3. The industry itself
Fashion studies concentrate on integrating knowledge in the areas of: human needs, industry trends and anticipation, product line development, textiles, production, sourcing, sustainabiligty, assessment of performance criteria, advertising, and public relations.
Students graduating in Fashion Merchandising pursue careers as fashion buyers, allocations analysts, corporate account executives, fashion writers and editors, as marketing specialists, product line developers, forecasters, technical designers, human resource directors, entrepreneurs, and educators.
Mission Statement
The B.S. degree in Fashion Merchandising at Mercyhurst University is designed to prepare students for professional careers or graduate education in the textile and apparel industries. Our program provides students with the opportunity to develop conceptual and creative abilities in relation to the individual person, the product, and the industry itself. It is our mission to prepare students by providing teaching excellence in a curriculum that advances creativity, global awareness, and current business practices.
Unique Features
An important component of our studies is the inclusion of an internship experience. Students are required to intern after the sophomore or junior year and provide documentation of their fashion-related work experience. They are encouraged to seek an internship in fashion centers. Students have the option of enrolling in the visiting students program at The Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), in New York City, during their junior or senior year. Criteria and acceptance are the sole purview of F.I.T. and courses must be taken exactly as listed in the F.I.T. catalog. Students may also elect to remain at Mercyhurst University for the full four years. The Fashion Institute of Technology is a fully accredited educational institution offering programs in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, Fashion Merchandising. F.I.T. sponsors a visiting students program that allows students from other schools throughout the United States to study for a full year, an opportunity that provides excellent social, cultural, and professional advantages. Students have options as to areas of study and graduate with an Associate’s degree from F.I.T. in addition to their Bachelor of Science degree from Mercyhurst. Students are encouraged to participate in this option given the networking and internship opportunities that abound in New York City. We feel that the rigor of Mercyhurst, combined with the New York City experience, is the optimal opportunity for our students. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 is required for application to F.I.T., however, applying does not guarantee acceptance. Application must be sent by January 1, the year prior to attendance.
International Studies
Fashion students are encouraged to travel and study abroad. The program offers a trip each academic year. In the odd years, a trip to the New York City Garment District is taken. Students visit corporate headquarters of designers, publishers, trade organizations, print houses, forecasters, etc. In the even years an international trip is offered. To date faculty/student trips have gone to: Paris, Milan/Florence/Rome, London, and Hong Kong. International fashion trips provide university credits. In addition, Mercyhurst’s International Study Abroad Office coordinates full summers/semesters of study abroad; to date, students have studied in Paris, London, and Florence.
Sophomore Review
Students file a formal application for acceptance into the Fashion Merchandising Program during their sophomore year and are evaluated by the Fashion Merchandising faculty. Formal acceptance is contingent upon the following criteria:
1. A minimum 2.5 G.P.A.
2. Completion of realistic and well-defined short and long term career goals.
3. Evidence of ongoing fashion-related work experience.
The fashion merchandising faculty has collaboratively developed seven broadbased learning outcomes that serve as the foundation and guiding force behind our program’s curriculum. Upon completion of the Fashion Merchandising program, graduates will be able to:
• Demonstrate data gathering, synthesis, problem solving, and decisionmaking.
• Demonstrate written and oral presentation skills appropriate to the field of fashion.
• Identify the manner in which historic, cultural, and cyclical environmental factors impact the fashion industry.
• Distinguish the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of all segments within the textile complex, following the progression from fibers to end products.
• Demonstrate basic planning, production, promotion, and distribution techniques for the men’s, women’s and children’s wear markets.
• Demonstrate knowledge of mathematical concepts and financial statements related to merchandise buying and planning.
• Identify the variety of career opportunities within the fashion industry, the inter-relationships between them, and the methods to gain entry therein.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate with a degree in Fashion Merchandising from Mercyhurst University, students are required to: (1) have a G.P.A. of 2.5, (2) participate in a senior exit interview with the Department chairperson.
Courses | |
---|---|
FASH 240 GLOBAL TRENDS IN FASHION | 3 |
FASH 260 FASHION JOURNALISM | 3 |
FASH 324 FASHION LAW | 3 |
FASH 370 FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
FASH 410 FASHION EVOLUTION | 3 |
FASH 430 VISUAL MERCHANDISING | 3 |
Required Courses
FASH 110 Introduction to the Fashion Industry - 3 credits
FASH 120 Personal Styling Analysis - 3 credits
Choose four:
FASH 100 Public Speaking in the Fashion Industry - 3 credits
FASH 150 Introduction to Fashion Technology - 3 credits
FASH 230 Fashion Branding - 3 credits
FASH 240 Global Trends In Fashion - 3 credits
FASH 260 Fashion Journalism - 3 credits
FASH 324 Fashion Law - 3 credits
FASH 330 Textiles for Apparel - 3 credits
FASH 360 Merchandise Planning and Control - 3 credits
FASH 365 Fashion Buying with Excel - 3 credits
FASH 370 Fashion Entrepreneurship - 3 credits
FASH 400 Professional Development - 3 credits
FASH 410 Fashion Evolution - 3 credits
FASH 430 Visual Merchandising - 3 credits
FASH 450 Product Line Development - 3 credits
FSAT 300 Fashion Merchandising International Travel - 3 credits