Nov 04, 2025

2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog

2024-25 Undergraduate Catalog ARCHIVED

Merchandising, BS

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This degree prepares students for the field of merchandising. Core topics include textiles, trends, retail math, visual merchandising, buying, merchandising procedures, entrepreneurship and promotion.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
or
ENGL 1303 - Honors Composition: Analysis, Argument and Research Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

SPCH 1315 - Public Speaking Credit(s): 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
SPCH 2333 - Teamwork and Group Communication Credit(s): 3

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

MATH 1314 - College Algebra Credit(s): 3
MATH 1324 - Finite Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1332 - Math in Society Credit(s): 3
MATH 1342 - Introduction to Probability and Statistics Credit(s): 3
MATH 1350 - Introduction to Foundations of Mathematics I Credit(s): 3
MATH 2313 - Calculus I Credit(s): 3

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

ASTR 1303 - Classical and Modern Astronomy Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1307 - Biology for Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1308 - Biology for Non-Science Majors I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 1309 - Biology for Non-Science Majors II Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2301 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2361 - Plant Form and Function Credit(s): 3
BIOL 2381 - Local Flora or Fauna Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1305 - Intro to Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1311 - General Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1312 - General Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 1371 - Chemistry and Society Credit(s): 3
ENVR 1301 - Intro to Environmental Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1301 - Earth and Society Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1303 - Earth Science Credit(s): 3
ERTH 1304 - Earth Through Time Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1301 - Mechanics and Heat Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1302 - Electricity, Sound and Light Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1305 - Conceptual Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1307 - Conceptual Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 1310 - Fundamentals of Electronics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2325 - Technical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 2326 - Technical Physics II Credit(s): 3

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

ENGL 2309 - Introduction to Mythology Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2322 - British Literature to 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2323 - British Literature from 1800 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2327 - American Literature to 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2328 - American Literature from 1865 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2332 - World Literature to 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2333 - World Literature from 1650 Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2335 - Literary Genres Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2341 - Introduction to Literature Credit(s): 3
HIST 2311 - Western Civilization I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2312 - Western Civilization II Credit(s): 3
HIST 2321 - World Civilizations I Credit(s): 3
HIST 2322 - World Civilizations II Credit(s): 3
PHIL 1301 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 2306 - Introduction to Ethics Credit(s): 3

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

ARTS 1301 - Art Appreciation Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1303 - Art History I (Prehistoric to the 14th century) Credit(s): 3
ARTS 1304 - Art History II (14th Century to the present) Credit(s): 3
DANC 2303 - Dance Appreciation Credit(s): 3
MUMH 1307 - Intro to Music Literature Credit(s): 3
MUSI 1306 - Music Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 1310 - Theatre Appreciation Credit(s): 3
DRAM 2366 - Film and Culture Credit(s): 3

F. American History

Six hours from:

HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

ANTH 2351 - Cultural Anthropology Credit(s): 3
ECON 2301 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 2302 - Principles of Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
GEOG 1303 - World Regional Geography Credit(s): 3
PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3

Three hours from:

BUSI 2304 - Business Communication Credit(s): 3
ENGL 2311 - Technical and Scientific Writing Credit(s): 3
FREN 1311 - Elementary French I Credit(s): 3
FREN 1312 - Elementary French II Credit(s): 3
GERM 1311 - Elementary German I Credit(s): 3
GERM 1312 - Elementary German II Credit(s): 3
PORT 1311 - Elementary Portuguese I Credit(s): 3
PORT 1312 - Elementary Portuguese II Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1311 - Elementary Spanish I Credit(s): 3
SPAN 1312 - Elementary Spanish II Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1301 - Beginning American Sign Language Credit(s): 3
SGNL 1302 - Intermediate American Sign Language Credit(s): 3

School of Human Sciences Core Requirements

HMSC 1300 - Foundations in Human Sciences Credit(s): 3
HMSC 3300 - Professional Leadership in Human Sciences Credit(s): 3

Merchandising Major

Required Courses

MRCH 1302 - Introduction to Retailing and Merchandising Credit(s): 3
MRCH 2320 - Visual and Virtual Merchandising Credit(s): 3
MRCH 3304 - Retail Trend Analysis and Forecasting Credit(s): 3
MRCH 3306 - Merchandising Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MRCH 4303 - Retail Buying Credit(s): 3
MRCH 4352 - Entrepreneurship in Retail Operations Credit(s): 3
MRCH 4363 - Retail Service Promotion Credit(s): 3

Graphic Option

One course from:

ARTS 1313 - Computer skills for Graphic Design Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1316 - Photojournalism Credit(s): 3

Practicum

Three hours of:

HMSC 4120 - Practicum Credit(s): 1 to 6

Merchandising Concentrations

Select one of the following concentrations for course requirements:

Minor

Select an academic minor with the guidance of an advisor. The minor must contain at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours.

General Electives

The student may be required to complete additional elective hours to complete the degree. University Core Curriculum co-requisite lab hours will be applied to this area of the degree.

Total Hours: 120

Grade Requirements

A grade of at least C in each first-year English course (ENGL 1301 , ENGL 1302 )
A C average in work completed in the major field
A C average in work completed in the minor field

The required averages are based on those SFA courses taken in each category that are included in the student’s official degree plan (CAPP). Transfer and advanced placement coursework are not included in GPA calculations.

In-Residence Requirement

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Undergraduate degrees require at least 25% semester credit hours completed in-residence.

Undergraduate degrees with 120 hours total degree program hours require a minimum of 30 advanced (upper level) in-residence semester credit hours. The in-residence hour requirement will be fulfilled as part of the individual discipline major, which includes as least 12 advanced in-residence semester credit hours. Minor requirements also may contribute to the total in-residence hours as at least six advanced in-residence semester credit hours are required. The balance of in-resident hours will be fulfilled through additional advanced semester credit hours and may include further major and minor coursework.

Undergraduate degrees with more than 120 total degree program hour requirements will ensure semester credit hours for the specific discipline include at least 25% of total semester credit hours in-residence.

View HOP policy 02-214.

Texas Success Initiative Program

All students must satisfy provisions of the Texas Success Initiative program. See the TSI information catalog page.

Degree Map

The following is the recommended sequence of course completion for this degree.

Freshman Year

Fall

ENGL 1301 - Rhetoric and Composition Credit(s): 3
A. Communication Credit(s): 3
HIST 1301 - United States History I Credit(s): 3
MRCH 1302 - Introduction to Retailing and Merchandising Credit(s): 3

Spring

ENGL 1302 - Research and Argument Credit(s): 3
E. Creative Arts Credit(s): 3
HIST 1302 - United States History II Credit(s): 3
HMSC 1300 - Foundations in Human Sciences Credit(s): 3
MRCH 2320 - Visual and Virtual Merchandising Credit(s): 3

Sophomore Year

Fall

H. Social and Behavioral Science Credit(s): 3
B. Mathematics Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2305 - Federal Government Credit(s): 3
MRCH 2301 - Principles of Textile Science Credit(s): 3
MCOM 1316 - Photgraphic Journalism I Credit(s): 3

ARTS 1313 - Computer Skills for Graphic Design Credit(s): 3

Spring

I. Component Area Option Credit(s): 3
GOVT 2306 - Texas Government Credit(s): 3
MRCH 1311 - History of Fashion Credit(s): 3

MRCH 1370 - History of Interiors Credit(s): 3
MRCH 2333 - Apparel Design Credit(s): 3

MRCH 3318 - Accessories in Interiors Credit(s): 3
INDS 1325 - Introduction to AutoCAD Credit(s): 3

Junior Year

Fall

C. Life and Physical Science (with lab) Credit(s): 4
MRCH 3306 - Merchandising Mathematics Credit(s): 3
MRCH 3333 - Apparel Quality Analysis Credit(s): 3

INDS 4360 - Overview of Residential Interiors & Construction Credit(s): 3
MRCH 3304 - Retail Trend Analysis and Forecasting Credit(s): 3
Minor Credit(s): 3

Spring

C. Life and Physical Science (with lab) Credit(s): 4
HMSC 3300 - Professional Leadership in Human Sciences Credit(s): 3
MRCH 4303 - Retail Buying Credit(s): 3

Summer

HMSC 4120 - Practicum Credit(s): 1 to 6

Senior Year

Fall

INDS 4113 - Portfolio Development Credit(s): 1
MRCH 4352 - Entrepreneurship in Retail Operations Credit(s): 3
MRCH 4363 - Retail Service Promotion Credit(s): 3
Minor Credit(s): 6
MRCH 4102 - Merchandising Showcase Credit(s): 1

Spring

KINE 1115 - Bowling Credit(s): 1 or any course
D. Language, Philosophy and Culture Credit(s): 3
Minor Credit(s): 9

Merchandising, BS

University Core Curriculum Requirements

A. Communication

Three hours from:

Three hours from:

B. Mathematics

Three hours from:

C. Life and Physical Science

Six hours from:

D. Language, Philosophy and Culture

Three hours from:

E. Creative Arts

Three hours from:

F. American History

Six hours from:

G. Government/Political Science

Six hours from:

H. Social and Behavioral Science

Three hours from:

I. Component Area Option

Three hours from:

Three hours from:

School of Human Sciences Core Requirements

Merchandising Major

Required Courses

Graphic Option

Practicum

Merchandising Concentrations

Fashion Merchandising

Interior Merchandising

Retail Merchandising

Minor

General Electives

Total Hours: 120

Grade Requirements

In-Residence Requirement

Texas Success Initiative Program

Degree Map

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Sophomore Year

Fall

Spring

Junior Year

Fall

Spring

Summer

Senior Year

Fall

Spring