Slippery Rock University

What you'll study

The programme blends a foundation in marketing and business with fashion‑specific topics and an international perspective. Core business modules cover marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, market research, advertising and digital marketing. Fashion and retail modules typically include fashion buying and merchandising, product development, trend forecasting, visual merchandising and retail operations.

Internationally focused topics emphasise global supply chains, international marketing, cross‑cultural consumer insights, import/export regulations and global sourcing. Practical learning is central: students complete project work such as brand launches, global market entry plans and e‑commerce campaigns. Many programmes also include a professional internship and a capstone project or portfolio that synthesises practical and theoretical learning.

• Fundamentals of Marketing and Marketing Research
• Consumer Behaviour and International Consumer Markets
• Fashion Merchandising, Buying and Assortment Planning
• Retail Management and Visual Merchandising
• Digital Marketing, E‑commerce and Social Media for Fashion
• Global Supply Chain Management and Sourcing
• Product Development, Textile Basics and Sustainability in Fashion
• Capstone project, portfolio development and internship placement

Entry requirements

Applicants will normally need a high school diploma (or equivalent) with a record of academic achievement. Typical offers ask for satisfactory grades in core subjects and evidence of numeracy and communication skills. Where relevant, institutions may consider applicants with vocational qualifications or relevant work experience.

Some programmes welcome a short personal statement outlining interest in fashion and international business; a portfolio is rarely required for a marketing‑focused route but can strengthen an application if it demonstrates relevant commercial, design or project work. International applicants will need to demonstrate English language proficiency to the university’s standard.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles across the fashion and retail sectors, especially where marketing and international trade intersect. Employers include fashion brands, retail chains, buying offices, wholesalers, online platforms, and brand agencies. Typical roles include:

• Fashion buyer or merchandiser
• Brand or product manager
• International marketing coordinator or export manager
• E‑commerce manager and digital marketing specialist
• Retail planner, visual merchandiser or store operations manager
• Supply chain and sourcing analyst for apparel
• Trade show and wholesale sales representative

Practical experience gained through internships and live projects often helps graduates enter graduate schemes, in‑house brand teams or specialist fashion agencies, and can lead to roles focused on sustainability, sourcing or international expansion as careers progress.

Why study at Slippery Rock University

Slippery Rock University offers a student‑centred learning environment with small classes and close access to faculty, many of whom bring industry experience in marketing and merchandising. The campus emphasises applied learning: students benefit from practical projects, internship placements and career services that connect them with regional and national employers.

The university’s location provides access to both regional retail hubs and major metropolitan markets within reach for internships and industry visits. Facilities supporting the programme typically include dedicated classrooms for retail simulations, computing labs for digital marketing and spaces for portfolio work and presentations. Support services—career guidance, study abroad advising and entrepreneurship resources—help prepare students for global careers in fashion marketing.