The Bachelor of Science degree in Fashion Merchandising allows for students to acquire a thorough background in the business aspects of the fashion industry, whereby they develop competencies in fashion theory, retail operations, management and buying, fashion forecasting and promotion, the merchandising for apparel manufacturing and the development and marketing of fashion goods.
Students participate in a study abroad/away experience, which includes opportunities to study for a semester in New York City and Florence, Italy, as well as through collaborative partnership programs with the Paris American Academy, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Regent's University in London.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
Understand the fashion industry, fashion markets, fashion products and services.
Demonstrate knowledge and skills of the fashion industry through reflective experiential learning.
Apply integration of the key knowledge of various segments of industry from fiber to finished product, products/services, consumer markets and technology in relation to the fashion industry.
Articulate conceptual and critical thinking applicable to the fashion industry.
Employ research processes and practices employed in the fashion industry.
Demonstrate their professionalism and communication skills required in the fashion industry through visual, oral and written forms.
Examples of Possible Careers
Buyers and purchasing agents
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
Supply Chain Manager
Inventory Planner
Merchant
Sourcing
Product Development
Public Relations
Social Media
E-Commerce Specialist
Visual Merchandiser
Merchandise Analyst
Allocation Analyst
Supply Chain Management
Creative Director
Event Planner
Stylist
Logistics
Retail Management
Marketing (Mall & Shopping Centers)
Trend Forecasters
Museum
Procurement (Buyer & Planners) - Government, Health, Entertainment, & Non-Profit), Fashion Media, and Editorial
September 2025
Kent State University
800 E. Summit Street,
KENT,
Ohio,
44240, United States
New first-year applicants must finish secondary school in their home country by the time of enrollment to be eligible for university (comparable to the completion of senior high school in the U.S.). A student who has previously enrolled in a post-secondary (higher education) institution is required to apply as a transfer student.
All international undergraduate applicants must submit an English language proficiency test score to be considered for a Kent State program unless they meet specific exceptions or apply for conditional admissions.
All undergraduate applicants must obtain one of the following:
TOEFL iBT: 71; Home Edition iBT: 71
Revised PBT: 18 (average score)
IELTS Academic and IELTS indicator: 6.0
Duolingo:100
PTE Academic: 48
To qualify for the fashion merchandising major, first-year applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).
ELS Level 112 Intensive English Program completion
SAT: a minimum of 510 evidence-based reading and writing
ACT: a minimum of 21 in English
Application Deadlines: October 1 for Spring Semester; June 1 for Fall Semester.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
