The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that competition will be high during the decade 2008 to 2018 for buying positions at retail stores. For individuals wanting to start a career in fashion merchandising, a bachelor's degree will become increasingly important to help set applicants apart. A number of colleges across the United States grant degrees in the field, designed to help students prepare for careers in retail fashion merchandising.
Laboratory Institute of Merchandising
Founded in 1939, the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising is located in the fashion district of midtown Manhattan. The school is home to more than 1,300 undergraduate students. The school grants both associate's and bachelor's degrees in fashion merchandising. Bachelor's students complete coursework in retailing, computer science, market research, mathematics, business management, marketing, buying, computer-aided drafting, economics and business law. The program also requires two large work projects and a one-semester internship in the fashion industry. Classes also take field trips throughout New York City for students to observe professionals in the field.
Laboratory Institute of Merchandising
12 E. 53rd St.
New York, NY 10022
(800) 677-1323
limcollege.edu
Woodbury University
Woodbury University is in Burbank, California, approximately 12 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The school opened in 1884 and has nearly 1,300 undergraduate students. The university offers a bachelor's of science in fashion marketing, which provides a combination of business training and coursework in fashion. The program is housed in the university's College of Business, which was rated the university's strongest program by the 2009 Barron's Profiles of American Colleges. Coursework includes fashion buying, store management, advertising, styling for the media, promotion and public relations. Students spend at least one semester of their senior year working in a full-time internship in the Los Angeles area.
Woodbury University
7500 Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91510
(818) 767-0888
woodbury.edu
Florida State University
Established in 1851, Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school's fashion merchandising program is the largest in the state and is approved by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Students take courses in apparel design, textiles, computer technology, accounting, economics, marketing and psychology and receive a bachelor of science degree at the conclusion of the program. A one-semester internship is required for graduation. The university also hosts an optional study-abroad program that allows students to spend a semester studying fashion merchandising in London, Paris or Milan.
Florida State University
600 W. College Ave.
Tallahassee, FL 32306
(850) 644-2525
fsu.edu
St. Catherine University
A Roman Catholic institution, St. Catherine University is the largest university for women in the United States. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, the school has a total enrollment of over 5,200 undergraduate and graduate students. The school's bachelor's program in fashion merchandising requires courses in the history of costume, philosophy, foreign language, accounting, textiles, management, marketing and visual merchandising. Students complete a part-time internship during the final semester of their senior years. The school also encourages every student to participate in an 18- to 21-day program in either Boston and New York City or Paris, London and Milan.
St. Catherine University
2004 Randolph Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
(800) 945-4599
stkate.edu
Tags: fashion merchandising, Catherine University, Florida State, Florida State University, Institute Merchandising, Laboratory Institute, Laboratory Institute Merchandising