Eastern Michigan University

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational business education with specialised marketing, sales and merchandising coursework. Early study focuses on business fundamentals such as accounting, economics, business law and statistics, followed by marketing core courses that build understanding of consumer behaviour, market research and marketing strategy.

• Core marketing topics: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Research, Advertising and Promotion.
• Sales and merchandising: Professional Sales, Sales Management, Retail Merchandising, Visual Merchandising, Category Management.
• Digital and analytical skills: Digital Marketing and Social Media, E‑commerce, Marketing Analytics, Pricing and Revenue Management.
• Supporting business skills: Business Communication, Business Ethics, Supply Chain Fundamentals, Excel for Business and Database/CRM basics.
• Practical learning: Internship or practicum in a retail or sales setting, project‑based courses with real client briefs, and a senior capstone integrating strategy, merchandising and sales planning.

Students can typically choose electives or concentrations to tailor the degree toward retail, B2B sales, brand management or e‑commerce, and will gain hands‑on experience through internships, student organisations and partnerships with regional employers.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary school/ high school diploma or equivalent. Admissions generally consider academic record (including GPA), strength of coursework in English and mathematics, and extracurricular activities that demonstrate communication or customer‑service skills.

• Recommended academic preparation: Courses in English, mathematics (algebra or higher), economics or business if available.
• Standard application materials: Secondary school transcript, personal statement, and references where required. Transfer applicants should submit college transcripts and a summary of completed business prerequisites.
• International applicants: Proof of English proficiency is usually required; other supporting documents follow standard university international admissions procedures.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a broad range of commercial and retail roles. The degree develops both interpersonal selling skills and analytical marketing capability, preparing students for positions that require customer interaction and commercial decision‑making.

• Retail buyer or merchandising planner
• Sales representative, account manager or territory manager in B2B and B2C sectors
• Visual merchandiser or store operations/assistant manager
• E‑commerce specialist, digital marketing coordinator or category manager
• Brand or product coordinator, trade marketing analyst
• Pathways to graduate study in marketing, business administration or specialised sales leadership programmes

Internships and practicum experiences frequently lead to entry‑level roles with national retailers, manufacturers, distributors and service organisations, and the programme is useful for entrepreneurs building direct‑to‑consumer or retail businesses.

Why study at Eastern Michigan University

Eastern Michigan University provides a regionally engaged business education with opportunities for applied learning in the Detroit metropolitan marketplace. The College of Business offers a broad curriculum that integrates classroom learning with internships, employer projects and student organisations focused on marketing and sales.

• Industry access: Proximity to a diverse retail and corporate base means regular employer engagement, internship opportunities and practicum projects.
• Applied learning: Emphasis on experiential courses, client projects and internships that build a professional portfolio and practical skills employers seek.
• Student support: Career services, mentoring, student marketing and sales clubs, and networking events to help transition into roles after graduation.

This combination of focused marketing content, practical sales and merchandising training, and local industry connections makes Eastern Michigan University a strong option for students targeting careers in retail, sales and commercial marketing operations.