Retailing and Consumer Science
Bachelor of Science
Quick Facts
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The Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Science program allows you to explore the intricacies of consumer behavior, marketing fundamentals, and the best strategies for managing, buying, and selling.
This interdisciplinary program explores the world of retailing, social commerce, and innovation from a customer-centric perspective. You will develop skills that tap into your creativity and provide the best merchandising and consumer experience possible.
Coursework integrates consumer behavior with retailing, business, and marketing courses to prepare you for emerging careers. This major offers more than four decades of success in getting students into industry internships and launching fulfilling careers. This degree is a gateway to brand management, retailing, marketing, fashion and product design, distribution, and more. Expect hands-on career prep, student trips, and outside workshops.
The program's partnerships with leaders in the retailing sector provide you with unprecedented access to practical experience that lends itself to professional success after graduation. You will also have the opportunity to network with successful alumni, executives, recruiters, and other professionals who can help you hone your career goals.
*Residents of some U.S. Territories may not be eligible. Please see our Eligibility & State Authorization page for more information.
The core curriculum for this program includes:
Explore issues and challenges involved in retailing and the future of retailing. Topics include retail management and business practices, consumer behavior, and career options.
Topics in this course include retail planning and control procedures, computing prices and markups, inventory control, sales reporting, productivity metrics, and retail calendar impact.
This course introduces Microsoft Excel for merchandising and retail buying decision-making.
Explore consumer behavior and the decision-making processes involved when individuals or groups select, purchase, use or dispose of products and services to satisfy needs and desires.
Apply integrated marketing communications in the retail environment and use them effectively in advertising, public relations, direct marketing, sales promotion, personal selling, visual merchandising, and digital/social media.
Explores business analysis fundamentals and applies analysis techniques in retail situations, including basic financial performance analysis, Pro-forma financial projections, business model simulation, sensitivity analysis, and return on investment analysis.
Identity, define, assess, and apply business analysis techniques and practice competencies important to retail business analysis, including forecasting, sensitivity analysis, data management, and data visualization.
This course builds professional leadership capabilities in organizational planning, business decision-making, negotiation and influence, teamwork, employee motivation, and training.
Outcomes
Skills
Earning your Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Science will build core skills, including:
- Understanding of retail operations
- Consumer behavior & insights
- Leadership & management skills
- Excel competency
- Data management
- Opportunity & risk evaluation
- Strategic thinking
- Analytical skills
- Verbal and written communication
Potential Career Paths
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Retailing and Consumer Science program will be prepared to pursue the following careers:
