University of North Florida

What you'll study

The programme is built on a foundation of core marketing and business courses from the Coggin College of Business, with a sequence of specialised modules focused on fashion, retail and international markets. You will study consumer behaviour, marketing research, digital marketing and brand management, alongside fashion-specific topics such as apparel merchandising, retail buying, product development, visual merchandising and trend analysis.

• Core marketing modules: Principles of marketing, marketing research, consumer behaviour, marketing strategy, digital marketing and analytics.
• Fashion and retail modules: Apparel merchandising, retail operations, buying and assortment planning, visual merchandising, product development and fashion promotion.
• International perspective: International marketing, global supply chain and logistics, cross-cultural consumer insights, export/import considerations and country/market analysis.
• Skills and practical learning: Coursework emphasises practical skills such as merchandising plan development, e-commerce strategy, social media campaigns, retail data interpretation and use of industry-standard software.
• Capstone and experiential components: Senior projects, internships with fashion retailers and brands, and opportunities for study abroad or industry placements to gain real-world experience in international markets.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent with a competitive academic record. Admissions will consider a combination of secondary school grades, the strength of the overall application and any relevant work or creative experience. Standardised test submissions may be optional depending on university policy; applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or approved alternatives.

Successful candidates often demonstrate evidence of interest in fashion, retail or international business—this can include part-time work, volunteer experience, school projects, portfolios or relevant extracurricular activities. Mature applicants and transfer students are considered and should provide transcripts from previous post-secondary institutions and details of prior coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates are equipped for a range of roles across the fashion and retail industries, particularly where marketing intersects with international trade. Typical career paths include:

• Merchandise planner or buyer for fashion retailers and brands
• Fashion marketer, brand manager or product manager
• E-commerce and digital marketing specialist for apparel businesses
• Retail operations and visual merchandising manager
• International marketing coordinator, export/import specialist or supply chain analyst focused on fashion goods
• Entrepreneurship roles such as launching a fashion label or online retail business

Many graduates find roles with regional and national retailers, fashion brands, wholesalers, marketing agencies, or logistics firms. The programme’s practical elements and internship opportunities help students build industry contacts and professional portfolios.

Why study at University of North Florida

The University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business provides a business-focused environment with small class sizes and access to faculty who bring industry and research experience to the classroom. Located in Jacksonville, the university benefits from proximity to a diverse retail market, ports and logistics hubs—useful for students interested in international trade and supply chain aspects of fashion.

Students can access career services, internship placement support and local industry partnerships to gain practical experience. The college holds recognised business accreditation, and students can take advantage of opportunities for study abroad, networking events and experiential projects that connect academic learning to real-world fashion and retail challenges.