The Mission of the Fashion & Retail Management Bachelor of Science degree program is to prepare students for a career in fashion and retailing in a global economy. Students take courses in a learner-centered, hands-on environment, preparing them with relevant industry and professional skills needed for entry-level careers in the retail industry. The curriculum is delivered by trained and motivated faculty who currently works or remains involved in the industry. Focus with a classroom on group projects, faculty aim to build student’s networking, interpersonal and leadership skills, preparing graduates for the diverse field of fashion & retail management.
The Fashion & Retail Management program at The Art Institute of York, Pennsylvania is for students who have a sense of style and a drive to work in the fashion and retail industry. With retail being the second largest industry in the world, there are countless opportunities in the workplace. From local and regional opportunities to national and international realms, the bachelor’s degree in Fashion & Retail Management provides a solid foundation for career growth. This fast-paced industry requires talented professionals who have a strong business sense and an eye for style.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn how a product moves from concept (textile and apparel evaluation) to development and onto the sales floor. You can be prepared with the knowledge of current and historical fashion designers, while understanding the nature of trends and forecasting in the industry. Retail planning and buying are elements included in the program along with business plan preparation and web marketing as a special focus. Moving merchandise is about connecting to the consumer and building brands, so there is a heavy emphasis on building marketing knowledge through courses in advertising.
Curriculum
Total Credit Hours: 180 — 12 Quarters
Each class listed is a 3 credit, 4 clock hours per week course. Each quarter is 11 weeks. Three quarters or 33 weeks is defined as an academic year, during which a full time student would earn 48 quarter credits. Fashion and Retail Management students graduate with a total of 180 quarter credit hours. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Some courses are offered on a rotating basis. Students should consult their Academic Advisor and/or Department Chair when creating their course schedule to ensure they are following the recommended sequence.
A221 Brand Marketing Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC153
CC153
Branding became a buzzword in 1990s advertising and marketing, but this process has evolved into a powerful way to organize and utilize an understanding of consumer needs and motivations in a changing marketplace. As the retail environment changes, marketing people can rely less on the traditional tools of print and broadcast media. Marketing strategists need to learn how to create an identity for their products and services and how to use that identity to support sales. This course is an introduction to the essential concepts and skills of brand marketing.
A222 Principles of Marketing Research Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC153
CC153
The use of the marketing research process as a tool for solving management problems is a focus of this course. The source of data, sampling procedures, questionnaire design, data collection, and analysis will be covered.
A311 Media Planning and Buying Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Media as part of a delivery channel for a marketing message will be the focus of this course. Topics include media as critical to the fulfillment of the overall marketing strategy, cost effectiveness, and alternative and new media.
A321 Financial Management Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
ECO101, MTH101
This course includes an examination of budgeting, short-term and long-term financing, and the economics of financial markets. A case-study approach is used.
FRM110 Introduction to Retailing Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Students will be introduced to all major retailing topics involving both large and small retailers, brick and mortar retailers and their combinations, and direct marketers. Topics to be discussed will include consumer behavior, information systems, store locations, operations, human resource management, customer communications, computerization, and integrating and controlling the retail strategy in the twenty-first century. Careers in retailing will also be discussed.
FRM111 Fashion History I Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Students study the development of clothing from the earliest time to the Renaissance and the silhouette reflected through the eyes of the designer.
FRM121 Fashion History II Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: FRM111
FRM111
An in-depth continuation of Fashion History I, from the Renaissance to Modern.
FRM130 Retail Math Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: MTH101
MTH101
This course provides an understanding of the various financial tools used by retailers to evaluate performance. Students calculate, analyze, and interpret financial concepts associated with accounting from a merchandising perspective.
FRM210 Sales and Event Promotion Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC153
CC153
This course is a workshop in which students design and prepare a sales and promotion package. The Instructor acts as a facilitator and guide to ensure that upon completion of this course students will have thoroughly explored the process of crafting a marketing and sales promotion that is carefully targeted and positioned to reach the goal of generating sales.
FRM211 Apparel Evaluation and Construction Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
FRM131
This course is designed for fashion management students to evaluate the equation between quality and cost in garments. Students will be able to identify and analyze quality of trims, fabrics, and construction in relationship to price point. Included will be women?s sportswear, children?s wear and men?s wear in a range of price points from high end to discounted.
FRM220 Elements of Retail Operations and Technology Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
CC252, FRM110
Develops the student?s understanding of operational objectives in a retail structure. An emphasis will be placed on planning, control, profitability, and staffing in a retail environment. The use of technology in the industry and the responsibilities of retail executives will be examined as well. Also career opportunities and ethical behavior of those individuals who choose to enter the retail arena will be discussed. Articles pertaining to current issues, (found in trade publications and newspapers) will be reviewed and discussed, in order to understand methods that have been created to expedite and increase profitability for the retailer.
FRM222 Event and Fashion Show Production Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: FRM210
FRM210
The student will be introduced to a range of skills needed to produce a successful store event or fashion show. During this course, the student will gain insight into the role of creative and technical experts involved with the runway, backdrop, special effects and lighting, music, models and choreography, hair and make-up and video teams.
FRM223 Visual Merchandising Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
CC111, CC112
Students learn the importance of eye appeal and consumer buying habits. Students create their own displays using the latest principles and techniques in the visual organization of merchandise.
FRM232 Store Planning and Lease Management Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: FRM223
FRM223
Students explore and learn the elements that combine to make a successful store layout, traffic patterns, furnishings, fixtures and security.
FRM310 Introduction to Manufacturing Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: FRM211
FRM211
Overview of the fashion industry including the terminology of fashion and an explanation of the three levels of the industry: design, production and sales. Careers and the organization, structure and problems of the garment industry are studied.
FRM320 Trends and Concepts in Apparel Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
A comprehensive study of cultural and social issues that affect fashion and the emergence of trends. Students will analyze the meanings and importance of clothing and apply these concepts to contemporary society.
FRM330 Product Development Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
A221, CC153
In this course students will review design concepts and technology and the development of merchandising in the modern market, analyze target markets and source, cost and develop a product for that market in presentation form including a prototype.
FRM331 Current Designers Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
FRM111, FRM121
Analyzing the dynamics of world-famous designers.
FRM340 Merchandise Management Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
FRM110, FRM130
Students study the categorizations of stores, organizational components, and the characteristics of various wholesale and retail markets. They will explore the private label and brand name businesses, develop customer profiles, and look at franchising as a means of entering the retail world. Students will become familiar with merchandise accounting as it relates to the various retail formats.
FRM410 International Marketing and Buying Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: A222
A222
Students will gain an understanding of global marketing opportunities, problems and strategies that impact the international environment. In addition, students will become knowledgeable about international marketing concepts; cross-cultural sensitivities, political and legal influences, and economic considerations and how these concepts relate to decision making in an international environment.
FRM425 Business Ownership I Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
75 credits successfully completed in the Fashion & Retail Management program
Students plan the foundation for opening and management of small store sales, budgets, market research, and staffing. This course is a workshop in which students design and prepare the beginning business plans necessary to open a retail store. The Instructor, acts as a facilitator and advisor to the student, but all decisions and choices will be made solely by the student. Upon completion of the course, the student will have a foundation for a business plan that can be developed into a model for actually opening a business. Final preparation of the plan will be completed in Business Ownership II.
FRM430 Business Ownership II Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: FRM425
FRM425
Students complete the planning of small retail store financing, budgets, market research, and inventory. This course is a final workshop in which students design and prepare all business plans necessary to open a retail store. Students will base all plans for this course on initial sales plans completed in Business Ownership I. The Instructor acts as facilitator and advisor to the student, but all decisions and choices will be made solely by the student. Upon completion of the course, the student will have a comprehensive business plan that can be used as a model for actually opening a business sometime in the future and can be used as a portfolio piece to show prospective employers.
FRM439 Internship for Fashion Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
150 credits successfully completed in the Fashion and Retail Management program
Students are given the opportunity to practice the skills and knowledge they have learned in a real-world situation by working in an approved industry internship site.
FRM440 Case Studies in Fashion and Retail Management Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
150 credits successfully completed in the Fashion and Retail Management program
Students will review a variety of retail management business cases which bring theory to life. This course will encapsulate different topics and industries in the fashion and retail global economy.
