Fashion Merchandising Minor

WVU Division of Design and Merchandising announces a new online minor in Fashion Merchandising. The purpose of this minor is to provide students with knowledge of the background and business of fashion in order to better prepare them for their future careers in a variety of industries.

Fashion is ubiquitous. It uniquely characterizes each era, and shapes our culture through its influence on other creative fields. It impacts every living human. At any given moment in the United States, more than seven million people are employed in some aspect of fashion.

This minor will emphasize the merchandising of fashion products, with the aim of educating students about the niche market and realm of the fashion industry, allowing for grounded knowledge in the field. Opportunities to work with industry professionals and understand the overall process of product development from design through disposal will also be offered.

Program Design:

The online Fashion Merchandising minor is comprised of 15 hours of study, with 9 hours at the 300 or above levels. Courses within the minor will be offered online during the summer semesters. Students will complete the minor in two summers. Students will gain basic knowledge of fashion merchandising in their first level courses. In the second level of courses, students will gain in-depth, specific knowledge of the fashion industry. In the third level of courses, students will receive a global and applied perspective of the field, choosing to complete their coursework either online or through a study abroad program at WVU and approved by the Fashion Design and Merchandising faculty.

Minimum Performance Standards:

To qualify for a minor in Fashion Merchandising, a student must have earned a minimum grade of "C" or better in each of the required and chosen courses and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 in all the coursework in the minor.

Required Courses:

I. Level One Courses

• Select two courses (6 credit hours)
• Courses will be offered during the first six weeks of the summer session

1. FDM 140-Introduction to Textiles (3 hr)

Study and classification of fibers, yarns, fabrics, color applications, and finishes for apparel-industry applications. Lecture plus laboratory online.

2. FDM 210-Fashion and Dress Through History (3 hr)

History of Western civilization's fashion and dress from antiquity to the present within the corresponding social, cultural, technological, and economic contexts.

OR

3. FDM 220-Fashion, the Body, and Culture (3 hr)

Students learn the roles of fashion, the body and dress in identity, social-psychological functioning, political and economic systems, and cultural diversity.

II. Level Two Courses

• (6 credit hours)
• Courses will be offered first six weeks of summer session (During second year in minor)n

1. FDM 360-Fashion Merchandising (3 hr)

PR: FDM 140, FDM 210 or FDM 220

Surveys the structure of retail organizations, location and growth strategies to distribute merchandise to customers.

III. Level Three Courses

• (6 credit hours)
• Courses will be offered first six weeks of summer session (During second year in minor)n

Option 1

1. FDM 470-Global Issues and Fashion (3 hr)

PR: FDM 360

Examines globalization, fashion business, and consumerism. Sourcing, sustainability, international trade, and social justice issues are addressed.

2. FDM 361-Merchandise Planning and Control (3 hr)

PR: FDM 360

Addresses inventory performance and fiscal aspects of merchandise planning, purchasing and pricing. Merchandising mathematical formulas are practiced.

OR

Option 2

Study Abroad (6 hr)

Six hours of study abroad credit, as approved by Fashion Design and Merchandising faculty.

More Information

For additional information contact Dr. Holly M. Lentz, Program Chair at (304) 293-3534 or Holly.lentz@mail.wvu.edu. To register for online courses, contact Extended Learning at 1-800-2Learn2 or email elearn@mail.wvu.edu.