Retailing and Consumer Science Major

Retailing and Consumer Science is designed to develop professionals who can integrate knowledge of consumers and merchandising processes and apply that knowledge to a broad spectrum of problems facing individual consumers, families, service agencies, and retail marketers of products and services. Retailing and Consumer Science focuses on analyzing the consumer as a social and economic unit of society and on the process of merchandising products to consumers.

Professional development in this program includes trend analysis, selling, merchandising experience, internship, self assessment, professional goal setting, understanding owning and operating a small business, networking and portfolio development. Processes of retail marketing and consumer affairs are emphasized.

Graduates will:

  • Apply retail management techniques and principles to the buying and selling of products and services.
  • Have the option to enhance their professional development through the Electronic (online) Consumer Science and Merchandising courses (E-CSM), allowing students to earn income while acquiring skills from remote locations.
  • Demonstrate the relationship between consumers and businesses through employment in the fields of retail marketing, fashion, sales, buying, public relations, and education.
  • Display global technology expertise required for the merchandising professional in today's marketplace.

Students pursuing the Retailing and Consumer Science degree must complete the following requirements in addition to the university core requirements and general college requirements.

University Core Curriculum

42 Semester Hours

For information on the University Core, please see the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Please note that some majors have specific requirements in the core curriculum. Refer to the specific degree plans in this catalog for those requirements.

Retailing and Consumer Science Major Requirements

HDCS 3300. Organizational Decisions in Technology
or
TELS 3340. Organizational Leadership and Supervision

HDCS 3301. Consumer Science

HDCS 3303. Merchandising and Consumer Sciences

HDCS 3304. Visual Merchandising

HDCS 3369. Entrepreneurship

HDCS 4300. Research Concepts in HDCS

HDCS 4303. Merchandising Systems

HDCS 4380. Merchandising

HDCS 4386. Communication Strategies for Merchandising and Industrial Distribution

HDCS 4393. Internship in HDCS

SCLT 2380. Distribution Channels or HDCS 4375. Strategies in E-Tailing

SCLT 3381. Industrial and Consumer Sales

TECH 3365. Applications of Discrete Methods in Technology

HRD 4340. Introduction to Training and Development

Major GPA will be calculated based on the major requirements and the professional studies area of specialization.

Professional Studies Area of Specialization:

Choose one (1) 15 hour specialization or elective block from those listed below (15 SH)

Consumer Science and Merchandising Electives
(select 15 semester hours)
HDCS 3302. Consumer Textiles
HDCS 4302. Apparel Analysis
HDCS 4370. Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4372. Forecasting Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4374. Entrepreneurial E-Tailing
HDCS 4375. Strategies in E-Tailing
HDCS 4376. Resources in Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4394. Internship in HDCS
HDCS 4396. Selected Topics in CSM
HRD 3310 . Introduction to Career Development and Planning
Technology Entrepreneurship Specialization
(15 semester hours)
HDCS 4370. Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4372. Forecasting for Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4374. Entrepreneurial E-Tailing
HDCS 4376. Resources in Technology Entrepreneurship
HDCS 4394.
or
SCLT 2362.
Internship in HDCS
 
Introduction to Logistics Technology
E-Tailing Specialization
(15 semester hours)
HDCS 4374. Entrepreneurial E-Tailing
HDCS 4375. Strategies in E-Tailing
Select from:  
Visual Merchandising
Apparel Analysis
Internship in HDCS
Introduction to Logistics Technology
Procurement
Financial Evaluation for Supply Chain Management
Training and Development Specialization
(15 semester hours)
HRD 4344. Technology Applications in Human Resource Development
HRD 4346. Needs Assessment in Human Resource Development
HRD 4351. Instructional Strategies and Design for Human Resource Development
HDCS 4394. Internship in HDCS
HDCS Approved HDCS elective
Professional Studies Specialization
Approved non-CSM content course work (15 semester hours)
See faculty advisor for approval of a 15 hour content block in field other than Consumer Science and Merchandising

College Requirements and University Core

Communication

(6 semester hours which includes university core)
ENGL 1303. First Year Writing I
ENGL 1304. First Year Writing II

Writing in the Disciplines

(3 semester hours which includes university core)
HDCS 1300. Human Ecosystems and Technological Change

History & Government

(12 semester hours which includes university core)

HIST 1377. The United States to 1877
HIST 1378. The United States Since 1877
POLS 1336. U.S. and Texas Constitutions and Politics
POLS 1337. U.S. Government: Congress, President, and Courts

Humanities

(3 semester hours which includes university core - choose from approved list)

Visual & Performing Arts

(3 semester hours which includes university core - choose from approve list)

Social and Behavioral Sciences

(3 semester hours which includes university core)

Natural Sciences

(6 semester hours which includes university core - choose from approved list)

Mathematics/Reasoning

(12 semester hours which includes university core)
MATH 1310. College Algebra
TMTH 3360. Applied Technical Statistics
Six semester hours of Math Reasoning/Formal Science
selected from core approved list

 

Program Requirements:

Computer Literacy

ITEC 1301. Introduction to Computer Application Technology

Electives: 12 SH minimum (or minor)

Electives or minor must be from approved technical area for students pursuing Technology Entrepreneurship specializations.

 

Degree awarded: Bachelor of Science
Major: Retailing and Consumer Science

Catalog Publish Date: August 22, 2012
This Page Last Updated: July 30, 2012