Shawnee State University

What you'll study

The programme is built on a foundation of core marketing and business courses — consumer behaviour, marketing research, digital marketing, branding, statistics for business and principles of management — and adds a focused sequence of fashion-related and international courses. Typical modules and subject areas include:

• Core marketing: Marketing strategy, integrated marketing communications, product and pricing strategy, sales management and marketing analytics.
• Fashion sector electives: Fashion retail management, merchandising and buying, visual merchandising and presentation, fashion consumer trends and assortment planning.
• International business: International marketing, global supply chain and logistics, cross‑cultural management and trade regulations that affect apparel and accessories.
• Digital and e‑commerce: Social media for fashion, digital retail platforms, online merchandising and analytics for e‑commerce.
• Hands‑on learning: Internship placements with retailers, brand houses or supply‑chain partners; applied projects with industry briefs; and opportunities for study abroad or short international exchanges to observe global sourcing and retail environments.
• Complementary study: Electives from related disciplines such as entrepreneurship, graphic design basics, textiles fundamentals and sustainability in fashion to broaden practical skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Typical admission expectations include a competitive high school GPA and submission of official transcripts. Standardised test scores (such as SAT/ACT) may be optional depending on institutional admissions policy. Mature or transfer students will be assessed on post‑secondary transcripts and relevant experience.

Because the programme emphasises practical skills, applicants may be encouraged (but not always required) to submit a short portfolio of relevant creative work or marketing projects, and to demonstrate interest through a personal statement and references. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a range of roles across retail, brand and wholesale businesses in national and international contexts. Typical career paths include:

• Brand or product manager for apparel and accessories
• Merchandise buyer or planner for department stores and specialty retailers
• Retail manager or district store manager
• Visual merchandiser and store presentation specialist
• E‑commerce manager, digital merchandiser or social media coordinator
• Supply chain coordinator or international sourcing analyst within fashion supply networks
• Fashion marketing analyst or market researcher

Alumni also progress to roles in marketing agencies that serve fashion clients, start their own retail or direct‑to‑consumer brands, or continue to postgraduate study in marketing, international business or fashion management.

Why study at Shawnee State University

Shawnee State offers small class sizes and close faculty engagement, which benefits students seeking applied, career‑oriented learning in a specialised marketing field. The university supports experiential learning through internships, career services and applied projects that connect students to regional and national employers.

Students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that links the College of Business with electives in creative and technical subjects, enabling a practical mix of commercial and creative skills that the fashion industry values. Additional support services — including advising, career counselling and assistance with internship placement — help prepare graduates to move directly into the competitive fashion and retail sectors or to pursue further study.