Apply Now
Request
Information
Schedule
a Visit
Login
Program Codes:
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.
This course is designed as an introduction to public speaking, oral presentations, and effective communication. It will emphasize the importance of public speaking throughout higher education and into the career world. Students will learn about and practice several different types of presentations. Topics of the presentations in this course will relate directly to current events and controversial topics in the fashion industry.
This course introduces the fundamentals of fashion and the basic principles that govern fashion evolution, organization, and merchandising. Students will be exposed to all avenues of employment in the industry and will analyze its basic structure.
This course is an analysis of the aesthetic components of apparel and accessories in relation to body and face shapes. Students will apply their new found knowledge to clients of their choice. Students will also build a vast style details vernacular.
This course covers computer and digital technology will prepare them for the textile, apparel, and retail industry. Students will demonstrate these skills by creating word documents, spreadsheets, and fashion design projects. Students will complete a capstone activity in the form of creating a final portfolio which will include all of the projects created during the semester. Students will gain exposure to software utilized in the textile and apparel industry including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.). This course serves as a foundation for other courses in the fashion merchandising program, particularly FASH 450 Product Line Development.
This course will provide students with the understanding of branding and the brand-development process within the fashion industry. In addition the course will focus on contemporary phrases, branding terms, concepts and theoretical frameworks related to branding within the fashion industry. Students will also be exposed to an overview of the factors contributing to fashion marketing and consumer behavior, and how to use consumer research to gain a better insight about how the fashion industry utilizes consumer information while simultaneously shedding light on individual shopping habits.
This course includes the study of the origins of fibers, the basic characteristics of fibers, yarns, fabric constructions, and finishing techniques, including dyeing and printing. The course has an emphasis on differentiating common fabrics and their uses. Lab experiences offer the opportunity to experiment, process, and problem solve textile uses and limitations.
Covers the terms, calculations and concepts necessary in successful merchandising, such as the retail method of inventory, operating statements, techniques of planning seasonal purchases, and methods of figuring mark-ups, turnover, open-to-buy, mark-downs, as well as terms of sale.
The purpose of this course is to teach students to identify spreadsheet terminology and convepts; create formulas and functions; use formatting features; and generate charts, graphs, and reports in tandem with the terminology and calculations commonly used within retail fashion buying, planning, and allocations departments. Through a combination of lecture, discussion and practical examples, the course demonstrates that Microsoft Excel is vital to fashion retail. The course is structured around real-life scenarios.
This course culminates the fashion merchandising undergraduate academic career. This senior-level course focuses on portfolio development and provides students with opportunities and the skills needed to secure an internship or job in the fashion industry or to pursue a graduate degree. Career-related issues include resume and portfolio development, interviewing, business etiquette and workplace standards. Senior standing or by permission of department chairperson.
This course delves into the merchandiser's role as a product line developer. Students will research populations, synthesize data, formulate sample plans and source primary markets as necessary when implementing a ready-to-wear collection. Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop software will be employed for development of a complete line of clothing for a niche market of the student's choice.
FASH 230, FASH 330
This is an individual work/study experience. The student is provided training and on-the-job learning in the fashion field of study. The experience is coordinated and supervised by the Career Development Center.
Laboratory experience to accompany General Physics II.
PHYS 202
Short Title : GLOBAL TRENDS IN FASHION
Active Term : Spring Term / Randomly
Course Code : FASH 240
Course Description :
An advanced study of the fashion industry including an analysis of current issues facing consumers, manufacturers, and retailers. Students will investigate the topics of sustainability, consumer wellbeing, and counterfeit goods. The subject of fast-fashion will also be examined and its implications to the global fashion industry.
Prerequisites :
FASH 110
Short Title : FASHION JOURNALISM
Active Term : Spring Term / All Years
Course Code : FASH 260
Course Description :
This course will introduce students to all areas that journalism encompasses in the fashion industry. Students will be exposed to the processes that work in conjunction to the writing: interviewing, researching, preparing and reporting. Emphasis on the basics of writing including style, format flow and mechanics. Students will complete several types of written assignments that can be seen in the fashion industry. Topics to be covered include writing for newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, advertising, public relations and new media. Select pieces of writing will be featured in the Fashion Merchandising Newsletter.
Short Title : FASHION LAW
Active Term : Spring Term / Even Years
Course Code : FASH 324
Course Description :
Fashion Law is the emerging business law specialty that ptovides legal counsel to fashion executives and entrepreneurs as they make strategic decisions and confront problems in design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail. Fashion is not only a global $ 1 trillion industry (as narrowly defined in terms of apparel, footwear, jewelry, and cosmetics), but it has also become a driving force in the greater business world as the concept of fashion branding has spread to enhance such other product areas as eyewear, home products, hotels, automobiles, and electronics. Students are introduced to the key intellectual property (IP) concepts in the fashion sector, anticounterfeiting law, licensing law, Customs law, employment (human resources), real estate, commercial law, and other facets related to the overall subject.
Short Title : FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Active Term : Spring Term / Randomly
Course Code : FASH 370
Course Description :
An opportunity for students to understand and work through the steps necessary to conceptualize, develop, open, and finally operate a fashion business. Students will learn how to develop a product and a product niche, conduct product research, and find funding and a good location for their business. At the end of this course students will also have a solid understanding of how to write and interpret a solid business plan.
Short Title : FASHION EVOLUTION
Active Term : Spring Term / Randomly
Course Code : FASH 410
Course Description :
A survey of the development of dress in western cultures. The phenomenon of fashion will be examined as it is reflected in some of the most important eras in history, including Ancient Rome, the Renaissance, the Victorian Era, and the World War II.
Short Title : VISUAL MERCHANDISING
Active Term : Fall Term / All Years
Course Code : FASH 430
Course Description : A study of the understanding of the importance of visual merchandising in the retail environment. Students will learn how visual merchandising develops a relationship between the brand, consumer, product and the retail environment. Students will be able to learn and apply concepts such as display basics, space planning principles and design research. Creative opportunities are provided to develop skills through the application of display and other promotional merchandise activities. Prerequisite: FASH 230. 3 credits.
In addition to the required courses, students must take four additional elective courses of their choice.
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
