Fashion Merchandising (Occupational & Technical Studies, B.S.)
Fashion merchandising involves wearing many hats within the fashion industry, sometimes juggling them and sometimes focusing on one area exclusively. The most important functions include product development, production, promoting the merchandise, and buying materials from suppliers. Apparel for men and women are the most common items that fashion merchandisers work with, but they also create and sell accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, and shoes. People in these roles typically work in the field of wholesale/retail or for a textile manufacturer.
Fashion Merchandising (Occupational & Technical Studies, B.S.)
Description
What is Fashion Merchandising at ODU like?
Fashion merchandising involves wearing many hats within the fashion industry, sometimes juggling them and sometimes focusing on one area exclusively. The most important functions include product development, production, promoting the merchandise, and buying materials from suppliers. Apparel for men and women are the most common items that fashion merchandisers work with, but they also create and sell accessories, cosmetics, jewelry, and shoes. People in these roles typically work in the field of wholesale/retail or for a textile manufacturer.
Program Highlights
What makes Fashion Merchandising at ODU unique?
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Students learn to research target markets, analyze business results, and develop strategies that effectively meet the needs of consumers.
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Students create an in-depth research project in collaboration with a major fashion company.
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During the summer between their junior and senior year, students must complete a fashion internship that gives them significant practical experience.
Careers
What are some careers in this field?
Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
Fashion Designers
$78,870
MEDIAN SALARY
Design clothing and accessories. Create original designs or adapt fashion trends.
Advertising and Promotions Managers
$123,880
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or give-aways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
Online Merchants
$75,740
MEDIAN SALARY
Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
Purchasing Managers
$121,810
MEDIAN SALARY
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Courses
What are some courses offered in Fashion Merchandising at ODU?
SEPS 208:
Retail Merchandising and Buying
This course intorduces students to the fundamentals of retail merchandising and explores retail buyers
SEPS 102:
Advertising and Promotion
This is an introductory course designed to teach the fundamental product and service promotion processes of planning and producing advertising and promotion campaigns.
SEPS 422:
Fashion Product Development
Students work step-by-step through the preproduction processes of apparel product development: planning, forecasting, fabricating, developing silhouettes and specifications, pricing, and sourcing. The course demonstrates how these processes must be coordinated to get the right product to retail when consumers want it and at a price they are willing to pay. Prerequisites: SEPS 208 and SEPS 220.
Requirements
What are the requirements to apply for Fashion Merchandising at ODU?
Students entering the Bachelor of Science program in Fashion Merchandising should meet the minimum university admission requirements (Undergraduate Admission)
For admission to the Fashion Merchandising program
GPA:
3.00
TOEFL score:
paper based: 550, internet based 79
IELTS:
6.5
Cost
Tuition and Fees
Estimated rates for the 2022-23 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.
Virginia Resident
Per Credit:
$ 374
Non-Resident
Per Credit:
$ 1,039
Active Duty Military Rate
Per Credit:
$ 250
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Per Credit:
$ 407
Ways to Save
Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial aid
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to ODU.
Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
Next Steps
I like this program. What are the next steps?
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Contact
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MASTER LECTURER
Name:
Sharon Davis
Location:
4301 EDUCATION BUILDING, NORFOLK, VA, 23529
Email:
Office:
757-683-4841
Undergraduate Admissions
Location:
1004 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3685
Fax:
757-683-3255
Email:
admissions@odu.edu
International Admissions
Location:
2101 Dragas Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529
Phone Office:
757-683-3701
Fax:
757-683-3651
Email:
intladm@odu.edu
Transfer
I like this program and want to transfer. What are my next steps?
At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful transition, engagement, and academic achievement of transfer students. The services and programs offered to you as a Monarch are endless so take advantage of every opportunity. Even before you set foot on campus, we encourage you to Explore, Experience, and Engage! Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
Related Programs
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