Alumni Connections ModCloth Assistant Buyer, alumna Saloni Mahendro shares product with Premier Marketing Group students.
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
MERCHANDISING & MARKETING
The Merchandising & Marketing Program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the global fields of fashion merchandising, marketing, and brand management. The curriculum emphasizes the development of creative, financial, technological, buying and promotional strategies that affect consumer behavior in the digital era. Core values of the program include critical thought, creative applications, teamwork, and effective communication.
CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO OPTIONS:
MERCHANDISING & BUYING Students study how to identify trends, curate product assortments, manage supply chain, and understand what shapes and directs consumer behavior. They learn how to plan, develop, and present apparel lines for identified target markets with regard to styling, assortment, pricing, and timing.
FASHION MARKETING Prepares students for careers creating and managing effective marketing strategies for fashion products and to drive sales. Students learn how to build brand equity, acquire and retain customers, develop successful global marketing campaigns, and manage consumer expectations and experiences.
What Our Students Learn In our program, students learn how to critically evaluate information and create effective business strategies and solutions regarding the marketing, buying, and management of merchandise with an emphasis in the retail industry.
Why FIDM As the retail industry evolves into a stronger digital environment, the Merchandising & Marketing curriculum prepares students for a wide variety of business careers within the omni-channel environment. Along with instructors with industry experience, frequent business professionals and alumni guest speakers bring the business of fashion to the classroom. Additionally, field trips into the marketplace enhance the education experience. These unique opportunities give the students inside perspectives and valuable networking connections. Students graduate from the program with the necessary skills that showcase their readiness to begin careers in merchandising, buying, fashion marketing, and brand management.
[top] Rima Barker, FIDM alum and V.P. of E-commerce, Planning & Merchandising for Hot Topic, gives back to the college by sharing best industry buying practices [left] Students simulate a buying trip by visiting local showrooms. Class: Applied Buying [right] Students review luxury fashion brand "look books" Class: Trend Analysis and Styling Concepts
[top] Fashion Marketing students collaborate to develop creative message strategies using a variety of media; Class: Integrated Marketing Communications (bottom left) Students analyze data on consumer shopping habits to determine effective use of promotional spending; Class: Data Insights & Fashion Analytics (bottom right) Samples of media strategies and a style guide from a marketing campaign created by Kristen Vande Wydeven, Kendra Hudiburg, Jasmine Maldanado, Alex Cornwell; Class: Integrated Marketing Communications
REQUIRED CLASSES FOR ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (A.A.) (for students without a prior college degree)
| BUAD 2850 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| GNST 1040 | English Composition | 3 |
| GNST 1200 | 20th Century Designers | 3 |
| GNST 1230 | Color & Design Theory | 3 |
| GNST 1450 | College Mathematics | 3 |
| GNST 1600 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| GNST 1650 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| GNST 2960 | American Political & Economic History | 3 |
| GNST 2980 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| MMKT 1650 | Consumer Behavior and Research | 3 |
| MMKT 2080 | Brand Management Strategies | 3 |
| MMKT 2420 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MMKT 2880 | Marketing Essentials | 3 |
| MRCH 1100 | The Business of Fashion Merchandising | 3 |
| MRCH 1420 | Textiles & Product Analysis | 3 |
| MRCH 1550 | The Retail Environment | 3 |
| MRCH 1700 | Merchandise Math | 3 |
| MRCH 1750 | Merchandising Strategies | 3 |
| MRCH 1820 | Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts | 3 |
| MRCH 1920 | Applied Digital Communications | 3 |
| MRCH 1950 | Excel for Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2210 | Merchandise Presentation Strategies | 3 |
| MRCH 2200 | Merchandise Buying | 3 |
| MRCH 2420 | Global Supply Chain & Logistics | 3 |
| MRCH 2660 | Data Insights & Fashion Analytics | 3 |
| MRCH 2700 | Applied Buying | 3 |
| MRCH 2760 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2860 | Merchandise Planning & Allocation | 3 |
| SMED 2750 | E-Commerce Marketing | 3 |
| TECH 1100 | Introduction to Adobe | 3 |
| Total Units of Credit | 90 |
REQUIRED CLASSES FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION (A.A.) (for students with a prior college degree)
| BUAD 2850 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MRCH 2420 | Global Supply Chain & Logistics | 3 |
| MMKT 2080 | Brand Management Strategies | 3 |
| MMKT 2420 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MRCH 1420 | Textiles & Product Analysis | 3 |
| MRCH 1700 | Merchandise Math | 3 |
| MRCH 1750 | Merchandising Strategies | 3 |
| MRCH 1820 | Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts | 3 |
| MRCH 1950 | Excel for Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2200 | Merchandise Buying | 3 |
| MRCH 2660 | Data Insights & Fashion Analytics | 3 |
| MRCH 2700 | Applied Buying | 3 |
| MRCH 2760 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2860 | Merchandise Planning & Allocation | 3 |
| SMED 2750 | E-Commerce Marketing | 3 |
| Total Units of Credit | 45 |
For important information about the completion rate, educational debt, and earnings of students who attended this program, go to fidm.edu/go/ge/mm.
FASHION MARKETING OPTION
REQUIRED CLASSES FOR ASSOCIATE OF ARTS (A.A.) (for students without a prior college degree)
| BUAD 2850 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| DIGI 2820 | Intellectual Property & Law | 3 |
| GNST 1040 | English Composition | 3 |
| GNST 1200 | 20th Century Designers | 3 |
| GNST 1230 | Color & Design Theory | 3 |
| GNST 1450 | College Mathematics | 3 |
| GNST 1600 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| GNST 1650 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| GNST 2960 | American Political & Economic History | 3 |
| GNST 2980 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| MMKT 1650 | Consumer Behavior and Research | 3 |
| MMKT 2080 | Brand Management Strategies | 3 |
| MMKT 2420 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MMKT 2520 | Public Relations Management | 3 |
| MMKT 2460 | Global Marketing | 3 |
| MMKT 2780 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MMKT 2880 | Marketing Essentials | 3 |
| MRCH 1100 | The Business of Fashion Merchandising | 3 |
| MRCH 1420 | Textiles & Product Analysis | 3 |
| MRCH 1550 | The Retail Environment | 3 |
| MRCH 1750 | Merchandising Strategies | 3 |
| MRCH 1820 | Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts | 3 |
| MRCH 1920 | Applied Digital Communications | 3 |
| MRCH 1950 | Excel for Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2210 | Merchandise Presentation Standards | 3 |
| MRCH 2660 | Data Insights & Fashion Analytics | 3 |
| MRCH 2760 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| SMED 2100 | New Media Strategies | 3 |
| SMED 2750 | E-Commerce Marketing | 3 |
| TECH 1100 | Introduction to Adobe | 3 |
| Total Units of Credit | 90 |
REQUIRED CLASSES FOR PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION (A.A.) (for students with a prior college degree)
| BUAD 2850 | Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| DIGI 2820 | Intellectual Property & Law | 3 |
| MMKT 1650 | Consumer Behavior & Research | 3 |
| MMKT 2080 | Brand Management Strategies | 3 |
| MMKT 2420 | Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MMKT 2460 | Global Marketing | 3 |
| MMKT 2520 | Public Relations Management | 3 |
| MMKT 2780 | Integrated Marketing Communications | 3 |
| MRCH 1420 | Textiles & Product Analysis | 3 |
| MRCH 1820 | Trend Analysis & Styling Concepts | 3 |
| MRCH 1950 | Excel for Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2760 | Advanced Business Applications | 3 |
| MRCH 2660 | Data Insights & Fashion Analytics | 3 |
| SMED 2100 | New Media Strategies | 3 |
| SMED 2750 | E-Commerce Marketing | 3 |
| Total Units of Credit | 45 |
For important information about the completion rate, educational debt, and earnings of students who attended this program, go to fidm.edu/go/ge/mm.