Graduate Certificate - Merchandising
Core Courses
This course offers an evaluation of psychological, sociological, and cultural theories of consumer behavior through the examination of factors influencing consumers' decision-making process.
In this course, students analyze leadership and how it affects organizational culture and change through a prism of past and current experiences. Students examine various leadership styles and develop a personal leadership philosophy for professional advancement in merchandising.
In this course, students learn to evaluate effectiveness and/or appropriateness of retail theories and current practices. Students learn to assess internal and external environmental forces impacting strategic decisions by retail firms and to synthesize past and present trends in order to forecast probable future patterns. Prerequisite: Retail Management course.
Elective Courses
This course is an advanced study of issues and management strategies necessary to design and produce a competitively priced product while offering visibility over material procurement and apparel production practices including the treatment of workers. Students examine the role of globalization, sustainability, and rapidly changing technology in the development of a successful product.
Students in this course examine integrated marketing communications to understand promotional strategies and techniques and pursue cultural and global awareness, social responsibility, and ethical decision-making.
Program Summary
Cost per credit hour:
2022-2023: $600
2023-2024: $600
Learn more about Tuition and Cost
Average time to complete:
Master's degree: 28 months
Graduate certificate: 12 months
36 Hours
12 Hours
University Contact
These campus coordinators can help you navigate Great Plains IDEA. Click on the university name to learn more about how Great Plains IDEA works at that campus.
Ashley SchultzMichael Russell
Karla Sisco
Carey Kilmer
Melisia Bieber
I've been fortunate enough to network with a diverse population of professionals with different backgrounds and learned about their roles within small and large organizations alike. This has expanded my understanding of other industries and helps me feel more confident as I move forward in my career.