The Best Online Fashion Merchandising Degree Programs

Through JWU Online, students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Retailing degree. There are two areas of specialization including:

• merchandise buying
• fashion marketing and visual merchandising

The fully online program features a career-focused curriculum and 11-week courses.

Core courses include:

• introduction to fashion writing
• retail and fashion lab
• forecasting
• fashion promotion
• the business of fashion

Students can put their creativity, business sense and fashion knowledge to work with this program. They will also gain real-world skills through directed experiential education (DEE) and internship opportunities. You can choose a minor to add to the experience or even study abroad.

Career opportunities include:

• merchandising manager
• marketing manager
• visual merchandiser
• fashion blogger promoter
• textile developer

If you want to continue your education with a master's you may go on to the MBA in Fashion Merchandising Management with a Global Fashion Management concentration.

Johnson and Wales is a private, nonprofit university. It offers military discounts. Other financial aid information can be found on their website.

Southern New Hampshire University offers two degree programs.

In each program, students combine their passion for trendsetting styles with a business-focused education.

The online Associate of Science in Fashion Merchandising program focuses on the application of retailing and merchandising theory. This is a two-year online program consisting of 24 credits.

Courses include:

• Merchandise Planning
• Basic Color and Design Theory
• Introduction to Marketing
• Retail Sales Promotion

The online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management program focuses on:

• color and textile theory
• consumer behavior
• retail operations

Business courses include:

• financial accounting
• managerial accounting
• business law

Elective courses include:

• marketing
• information technology
• graphic design

This major is 42 total credits, and teaches merchandising and business management.

Courses include:

• Fashion Research and Forecasting
• History of Fashion and Costume
• Microeconomics
• Merchandise Planning

Students also gain real-world experience by completing a required fashion merchandising internship.

Drexel University Online offers a Master's Degree in Retail Merchandising.

The program provides students with a broad overview of the retail and merchandising industry globally and nationally. Course topics include:

• visual communication
• branding
• fashion
• product development
• international markets

The program is designed for current fashion industry professionals and those seeking a career change. Students can customize the program based on their experience and interest.

The university offers study-abroad opportunities.

Students complete a project or thesis.

Admission requirements include:

• bachelor's degree
• G.P.A. of 3.0

Liberty University is the largest Christian university in the U.S. in terms of number of enrolled students. It is a leader in online education.

Liberty offers the fully online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising degree. This program offers three specializations: 

• General
• Creative Design
• Fashion Writing

This degree is 120 credit hours in total. Classes run in eight-week courses allowing for flexible start times. It takes an average of three and a half years to complete this program.

Selection of courses:

• Elements of Fabric
• Principles of Management
• Retail Merchandising
• Fashion Industries and Markets

Liberty accepts qualifying transfer credits. You may have taken general education courses to get them out of the way and are now ready to enter a program in fashion merchandising.

This online Fashion Merchandising degree is flexible. Students can intern locally where they live.

Parsons offers an online Fashion Business certificate program.

Students complete six required courses and two fashion electives. It can be completed in just 18 months.

Students gain a foundation in business practices for the fashion industry.

The curriculum includes courses in:

• consumer behavior
• textiles
• retail buying
• fashion history
• fashion marketing in a global environment

Students explore business education through:

• video lectures
• direct contact with faculty
• project-based learning opportunities
• online interaction with other students

LIM College offers undergraduate to graduate-level degree programs. Students can choose a program that matches their desired career goals.

Students learn from industry-experienced faculty both on-campus or online.

The highly specialized programs provide students with knowledge and skills needed to compete in the global fashion business. Course topics include retailing and fabric for fashion.

Online degree options include:

• Associate in Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising & Management
• Bachelor of Business Administration in Fashion Merchandising
• Bachelor of Business Administration in the Business of Fashion
• Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Marketing
• Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management
• Master of Professional Studies in the Business of Fashion

At each level, students can gain real-world skills through internships. Students at LIM have gotten experience with companies such as:

• Chanel
• Michael Kors
• Tiffany & Co
• Hermes
• Salvatore Ferragamo
• Nike

Graduates from these programs might find industry career opportunities working with:

• fashion retailers
• fashion goods and design
• marketing managers
• purchasing managers

Old Dominion University's ODU Online offers an online Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising (Occupational and Technical Studies) degree. These are a part of Darden College of Education and Professional Studies and the Department of STEM Education and Professional Studies.

The university offers two options. Students with some college credits can enroll in the degree-completion program. The university also offers a full 120-credit program.

The curriculum focuses on:

• reaching target markets
• analyzing business results
• developing strategies to meet the needs of consumers and retailers

Students can complete electives in:

• e-commerce
• social media
• fashion forecasting

Students take part in an internship, allowing them to apply their skills and knowledge. It will prepare them to enter the workforce.

Central Michigan University offers a 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Design program.

The fully online program features:

• challenging core courses
• hands-on projects
• the latest technologies

The curriculum includes courses in:

• fashion retail management
• textiles
• dress and culture
• CAD for apparel

Students choose from two concentrations: Product Development or Visual Merchandising.

Regardless of concentration, all students complete a final portfolio of their work. CMU works with corporate partners such as:

• Carhartt
• Target
• Adidas

Graduates have gone on to work with companies such as:

• Target
• Kohls
• Macy's

The Academy of Art University's School of Fashion offers three degree programs in Fashion Merchandising. The liberal arts programs combine foundational curriculum with the fields of fashion art and design.

Students can pursue:

• Associate of Arts in Fashion Merchandising
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Merchandising
• Master's of Arts in Fashion Merchandising

Through hands-on projects, the programs help students develop a foundation in fashion merchandising and managing fashion businesses.

Students hone techniques and a personal style needed for a successful career in fashion merchandising. Through these programs students will learn:

• buying
• market research
• merchandising essentials

This will launch them into a successful career in the industry.

Students go on to careers such as:

• fashion photography
• purchasing managers
• fashion publisher

Graduates of the Academy of Art University have gone on to work for companies such as:

• Vogue
• Kate Spade
• Adidas
• Widen & Kennedy
• Levi's

The North Coast College offers an Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising.

The 180-credit-hour program helps students develop an understanding of how to leverage business and fashion knowledge. This program is 12 quarters covered over four years. If taken year round students can finish in as little as three years (36 months).

Students take part in experiential learning that fosters critical-thinking skills and their entrepreneurial spirit.

Courses include:

• fashion buying and merchandising
• product costing and analysis
• visual merchandising
• accessories, beauty, and home
• emotional intelligence
• the power of critical thinking

Berkeley College's Fashion Merchandising and Management students learn from faculty with extensive professional experience.

The college offers two related degrees: an Associate in Applied Science in Fashion Merchandising and Management degree and a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Fashion Merchandising and Management.

Both programs focus on the business side of the fashion industry. Topics include:

• consumer behavior
• current technologies
• retail distribution
• merchandising

Business core courses for the B.B.A include:

• financial accounting
• business law
• computer applications
• principals of economics
• international business

Students can take part in experiential opportunities, such as NYC Fashion Week.

They also can gain hands-on experience through field trips to retailers and showrooms as well as internships.

Penn Foster College offers an Online Associate Degree in Fashion Merchandising.

The fully online, self-paced program allows students to complete coursework on their schedule.

Students will learn about the merchandising, development, marketing and promotion of apparel.

They also will:

• develop their sense of fashion
• expand their creativity
• develop foundational business skills

College coursework includes:

• color theory
• fashion promotion
• product development
• history of fashion

Application requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. The program takes 10 months to complete. Students can get started year-round making this a flexible and accessible program.

With their work experience option you can have something to add to your resume or job application to get started on your career.