M.S. in Merchandising or Merchandising Graduate Certificate
(Great Plains IDEA)
Merchandising Master’s Degree
In the ever changing, global, atmosphere of retailing, the ability to merchandise the product to the consumer is a strategic advantage. Understanding merchandising at every level, which this degree provides, will distinguish a person among their peers. Retailing is a major impact on the U.S. economy; representing 1/3 of the total U.S. economy or $4 trillion. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in product development, promotions, and retail management in this every expanding industry.
Who Should Consider The Program?
An advanced degree or certificate in merchandising is ideal for professionals in a variety of retail-related fields.
Employers: Your employee would obtain a focus on the merchandising aspect of the business—delivering the consumer the right product or service in the right place, in the right quantities, at the right time, and the right price.
Employees and prospective students: You may have chosen retailing, apparel design or business as a profession but don’t have the theoretical background of merchandising. The additional expertise offered through the merchandising master’s could position you for career advancement or a new career in merchandising.
Online Program Through Distance Education
Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) is a consortium offering fully online graduate programs. Each university brings a unique strength to the multi-institution academic programs. In a multi-institution degree program, you apply, and are admitted at one university; enroll in all your courses at that university; and, graduate or receive a certificate from that university. However, your online courses are taught by the best faculty in the discipline from several universities.
The curriculum has been specially adapted to ensure that students receive the same quality of education as an on-campus course. These courses do not have regular meeting schedules, but they are set within the confines of a semester and students are still required to meet deadlines as outlined by the instructor. Students will interact with instructors and other students through e-mail, online chats, discussion boards and other methods.
Whether people live in Fargo or halfway around the world, online programs make learning an advanced degree a possibility. You can now apply online for any of our graduate programs at http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/prospective_students/
All graduate degrees offered through NDSU Distance & Continuing Education (DCE) or GPIDEA degrees taken through NDSU are awarded an NDSU degree upon successful completion of coursework.
A manual is available to provide information for graduate students about the policies, procedures, and degree requirements. It is intended to assist in completing a variety of important tasks during the graduate school experience. Read it carefully at the beginning of the program.
Master’s Degree Requirements
The 36 credit master’s degree program consists of ten required 3-credit courses, listed below, as well as a 6-credit practicum and/or thesis as required by each institution:
- Consumer Behavior
- Professional Advancement
- Professional Strategies in Merchandising
- Product Design, Development and Evaluation
- Financial Merchandising Implications
- Research Methods
- International Retail Expansion
- Retail Theory and Current Practice
- Historical and Contemporary Issues in Trade
- Strategic Planning
Merchandising Graduate Certificate
The 12 credit graduate certificate program consists of three required 3-credit courses and one elective 3-credit course, listed below.
- Consumer Behavior
- Professional Advancement
- Retail Theory and Current Practice
(and choose one elective)
- Product Design, Development and Evaluation
- Promotional Strategies in Merchandising
Course Descriptions
ADHM 710 Consumer Behavior in Merchandising
Evaluation of psychological, sociaological, and cultural theories of consumers' behavior through the examination of factors influencing consumers; decision-making process.
ADHM 720 Professional Advancement
Analysis of leadership and how it affects organizational culture and change through a prism of past and current experiences. Various leadership styles will be examined and a personal leadership philosophy will be developed for professional advancement in Merchandising.
ADHM 730 Product Design, Development and Evaluation
Advanced study of issues and management strategies necessary to design and produce a competitively priced product. Examination of the role of globalizaiton and rapidly changing technology in the development of a successful product.
ADHM 740 Promotional Strategies in Merchandising
Examination of integrated marketing communications (i.e., promotional strategies and techniques) while fostering cultural and global awareness, social responsiblity and ethical decision-making in the field of promotion.
ADHM 750 Retail Theory and Current Practice
Theoretical and applied analysis of Merchandising strategies; assessment of internal and external environmental forces impacting strategic decisions by retail firms; synthesis of past and present trends in order to forecast probable future patterns. Prerequisit: Retail Management course.
ADHM 760 Historical and Contemporary Issues in Trade
The examination of fiber, textile, and apparel industries in a global context. Specifically, a look at the historical development of the global and U.S. textile and apparel industries and how the global environment (economic, political, and social systems) affects the textile/apparel production and trade.
ADHM 770 International Retail Expansion
Comprehensive understanding of theory, practices and trends on international merchandise managemnt. An analysis of global retail systems and the methods of distributed to consumers in various countries.
ADHM 775 Research Methods in Merchandising
This class will provide an overview of the research process used in social science, including an overview and analysis of research methodologies. This class will also include a review of current Merchandising literature with implications for future research. Prerequisites: Graduate level course in statistics.
ADHM 780 Financial Merchandising Implications
The advanced study of financial trends in the Merchandising industresi; implications related to sole proprietors, partnerships, franchises, S corporations, and C corporations. Foci will be on the financial implications of recent advances in the field that assist graduate students as they embark on careers in academia and/or the Merchandising industries.
ADHM 785 Strategic Planning
Examination of the executive planning process utilized to develop successful corporate strategies; emphasis on the importance of a market orientation for building customer value and sustaining a competitive advantage. Pre-requisites: ADHM 740, instructor permission.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Fall 12 |
Spring 13 |
Summer 13 |
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Fall 13 |
Spring 14 |
Summer 14 |
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FORMS:
Faculty
Linda Manikowske
Associate Professor
Phone: 701.231.7352
email: Linda.Manikowske@ndsu.edu
Ann Braaten
Assistant Professor
Phone: 701.231.7367
email: Ann.Braaten@ndsu.edu
Jaeha Lee
Assistant Professor
Phone: 701.231.8220
e-mail: Jaeha.Lee@ndsu.edu
Holly Bastow-Shoop
Professor
701.231.8223
email: Holly.Bastow-Shoop@ndsu.edu
For more information regarding the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA) contact Karen Murie by email at karen.murie@ndsu.edu or NDSU Distance & Continuing Education (DCE) at 1-800-726-1724 or 701-231-7015.
I'd like to ask a question about Merchandising. Whom do I contact?
Please contact Professor Manikowske @ Linda.Manikowske@ndsu.edu