Valparaiso University

What you'll study

The programme blends Valparaiso University's liberal arts and business education to provide a comprehensive marketing degree with a concentration in international fashion marketing. You will study core marketing and business subjects alongside fashion-focused electives and experiential learning.

• Core business and marketing: principles of marketing, marketing research, consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, introductory accounting and finance, and business law.
• Fashion and retail specialisms: fashion merchandising, retail management, visual merchandising, apparel product development, sourcing and supply-chain fundamentals, and trend forecasting.
• International and digital focus: global marketing, international trade and distribution, cross-cultural communication, e-commerce for fashion, social media strategy, and digital analytics.
• Skills and methods: brand building, pricing and promotion, negotiation and vendor management, buying and assortment planning, and use of retail technology and point-of-sale analytics.
• Experiential components: internships with retailers or fashion brands, practicum projects, case studies, and a senior capstone or marketing strategy project that often addresses international market entry or brand expansion for fashion clients.
• Opportunities to study abroad: short-term study programmes and exchange options that allow students to examine fashion markets and supply chains in other countries.

Entry requirements

Applicants should meet Valparaiso University's undergraduate admission standards, including a completed secondary school qualification. Typical applicants present a competitive academic record with strong preparation in English and mathematics.

• Completed high school diploma or equivalent.
• Academic preparation in English and mathematics; coursework in economics, business or art/fashion is advantageous but not required.
• Personal statement that outlines interest in marketing and fashion and career aims.
• Letters of recommendation and a résumé or activity list are encouraged to demonstrate relevant experience, such as retail work, creative projects, or leadership roles.
• International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through an accepted test or approved equivalent.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a range of roles across the fashion and retail sectors as well as broader marketing positions. The programme emphasises practical, transferable skills valued by employers in both national and international contexts.

• Buyer or merchandise planner for fashion retailers and department stores.
• Brand or product manager for apparel and accessory companies.
• E-commerce and digital marketing specialist managing online fashion channels.
• Visual merchandiser or store manager responsible for in-store brand presentation and operations.
• Sourcing, production coordination or supply-chain analyst in apparel manufacturing and distribution.
• Public relations, fashion marketing analyst, or international marketing coordinator roles.
• Graduates may also pursue postgraduate study in marketing, fashion business, or international business fields.

Why study at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University offers a small-campus environment where students benefit from close faculty mentorship and an interdisciplinary liberal arts approach to business education. The university’s location in the American Midwest provides accessibility to regional retail and design centres, and programmes place an emphasis on internships and applied learning to build professional experience.

• Small class sizes and direct access to faculty with industry and teaching experience.
• Strong support for internships and career preparation, connecting students with regional and national fashion and retail employers.
• Opportunities to combine marketing training with study abroad and practicum projects that explore international fashion markets and supply chains.
• An education that integrates ethical and civic perspectives consistent with a liberal arts mission, useful for addressing sustainability and social-responsibility issues in the fashion industry.