Design & Merchandising BS

lMajor: Design and Merchandising
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 181.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.0499
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 13-1022

About the Program

Drexel’s innovative Design & Merchandising (D&M) major integrates visual design, merchandising, and business insight for the fashion lifestyle industries. The Bachelor of Science degree educates students to conceptualize, plan, develop, market, and measure the opportunity for products and services for consumers through physical stores, online channels, televised content, and interactive media. Students develop thorough knowledge of how products come to life through sustainable textiles, design, and production, and strategize the optimal assortment, inventory, and pricing for business goals. The multidisciplinary curriculum, based on both theory and practice, is delivered through immersive, experiential learning. Graduates work across the fashion lifestyle industries engaged in creative strategies, dynamic merchandise assortments, and new product lines for global consumer markets.

The D&M program is ranked in the top four of fashion merchandising colleges in the United States by fashion-schools.org and in the top fifteen of fashion and business management programs in the world by Business of Fashion and highlighted as best overall, best in global influence and best in learning experience.  Drexel is one of the nation’s top universities located in Philadelphia, the sixth largest city, with easy access to the city’s rich cultural life, vibrant design scene, and pivotal retail and entrepreneurial marketplace. From buying and fashion marketing to sustainability and product development, companies in Philly, New York City, Boston, California and other cities offer students a variety of career paths in wholesale, retail, textiles, sourcing, media, marketing, visual merchandising, and public relations.

Program: Discover a Dynamic Future in the Fashion Lifestyle Industries

Students will participate in Drexel’s renown cooperative education (co-op) program, spending six months away from the classroom gaining in-demand career skills, bringing products and services to consumers, and receiving exposure to valuable industry networks. Co-op employers include Urban Outfitters, TJX, Nicole Miller, Marchesa, Fashion Snoops, and others. 

Students take fashion business courses that promote real-world project-based learning. Students work in functional teams exploring business challenges and mapping out opportunities. Industry professionals and fashion merchandising entrepreneurs mentor students and critique business strategies.

Students expand their global intelligence through robust study abroad options from the Office of Global Engagement, including the highly popular London College of Fashion, Accademia Italiana in Florence, and Ecole Superiere de Commerce Exterieur (ESCE) in Paris.

Students will tailor their interests and passions via career pathway electives allowing targeted study in ecommerce, fashion marketing, communications, magazine and media publication, product development, entrepreneurship, and others. Students also produce the award-winning D&M Magazine.

Students will learn in a fashion merchandising program that has sustainability integrated throughout the curriculum along with courses that evaluate the intersection of society, culture, and fashion.

Dual/Accelerated Degree Programs

Expand your career prospects in the dynamic world of fashion and unlock additional opportunities through our flexible dual-degree programs, allowing you to earn a Master of Science (MS) in Retail & Merchandising or a Master of Business Administration (MBA), empowering you with a well-rounded skill set for success in the fashion industry.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, visit the College's Design & Merchandising page.

Degree Requirements

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Design & Merchandising have 31.0 Career Pathway electives of their choosing. These electives enable students to pursue specific areas of study in Merchandising, Buying, e-commerce & Retail Operations, Marketing, Media, Marketing and Public Promotion; Product Development and Sourcing, Fashion Sustainability, Fashion Technology, Beauty Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Entrepreneurship and Graduate School Preparation (see our dual degree options). In addition, electives can be used for focused study in Media Merchandising (D&M Magazine), Fashion Show Production, optional Study Abroad courses, and/or pursuit of a minor.

General Education Requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
ENVS 160Environment in the News2.0
ENVS 260Environmental Science and Society3.0
GEO 111Natural Disasters3.0
MATH 119Mathematical Foundations for Design4.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience1.0
Required Arts and Humanities
COM 220Qualitative Research Methods3.0
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
Arts and Humanities elective **3.0
Required Social Science
Select one of the following:3.0
Politics of Hip Hop
Introduction to Social Psychology
Retail Intersections: Social & Cultural Issues
Social Science electives ***6.0
Visual Studies Requirements
ARTH 103History of Art III3.0
Select two of the following:6.0
Asian Art and Culture
Art of India
Art of China
Art of Japan
Contemporary Art
History of African-American Art
African Art
Global Material Culture
Special Topics in Art History
Special Topics in Art History
PHTO 110Photography3.0
VSST 101Design I4.0
VSST 102Design II4.0
VSST 103Design III4.0
VSST 110Introductory Drawing3.0
Professional Requirements
ACCT 110Accounting for Professionals4.0
ARTH 335 [WI] History of Costume I: Preclassical to 18003.0
COM 181Public Relations Principles and Theory3.0
DSMR 100Computer Imaging I3.0
DSMR 103Introduction to the Fashion Industry3.0
DSMR 201Analysis of Product3.0
DSMR 210Presentation Techniques Design and Merchandising3.0
DSMR 215Digital Commerce & Promotion3.0
DSMR 211Digital Design for Design and Merchandising3.0
DSMR 230Textiles for Design and Merchandising3.0
DSMR 231Retail Operations3.0
DSMR 232Merchandise Planning and Buying4.0
DSMR 300Design and Merchandising Trends and Impact3.0
DSMR 310Merchandising Operations & Management3.0
DSMR 311Visual Merchandising3.0
DSMR 333Fashion Product Development and Sourcing3.0
DSMR 464Merchandising Analytics3.0
DSMR 477 [WI] Design and Merchandising Seminar3.0
DSMR 496 [WI] Senior Problem in Design and Merchandising3.0
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics4.0
ENTP 105Entrepreneurial Thinking3.0
MKTG 201Introduction to Marketing Management4.0
MKTG 321Selling and Sales Management4.0
or MKTG 326 Marketing Insights
or MKTG 344 Professional Personal Selling
or MKTG 356 Consumer Behavior
or MKTG 362 Brand and Reputation Management
PHIL 301Business Ethics3.0
PROD 215Design Thinking in Product Design4.0
Career Pathway Electives 31.0
Total Credits181.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-480 in AFAS, ARTH, ARCH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, and WRIT.

Suggested Arts and Humanities electives: ENGL 303, ENGL 335, HIST 163.

***

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380-T480, in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, and WGST.

Suggested Social Science electives: SOC 210, SOC 215, SOC 240, SOC 340, SOC I499.

Career Pathway electives enable students to pursue specific areas of study which compliment the Design & Merchandising major and the student's desired career pathway.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plans of Study

4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DSMR 1033.0DSMR 1003.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0DSMR 2303.0DSMR 2013.0 
ENVS 2603.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0GEO 1113.0ENVS 1602.0 
VSST 1014.0VSST 1024.0MATH 1194.0 
VSST 1103.0 VSST 1034.0 
 17 16 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ACCT 1104.0ARTH 1033.0DSMR 210 or 2153.0COM 230, 220, or 1813.0
COM 181, 220, or 2303.0COM 220, 181, or 2303.0DSMR 232 (or Career Pathway Elective)4.0DSMR 215 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0
DSMR 2113.0COOP 101*1.0ECON 2014.0ENTP 1053.0
DSMR 231 (or Art History Elective)3.0DSMR 210 or 2113.0MKTG 2014.0PHTO 1103.0
Select one from the following:3.0DSMR 215 or PHTO 1103.0 Career Pathway Elective3.0
DSMR 231 or 232 (or Art History Elective)3.0  
   
   
 16 16 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEDSMR 300 or 4773.0DSMR 311 (or Art History Elective)3.0
  DSMR 3103.0DSMR 477 or 3003.0
  DSMR 311 (or Art History Elective)3.0PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0
  DSMR 3333.0Social Science Elective3.0
  Career Pathway Elective4.0 
 0 0 16 13
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
ARTH 335 or DSMR 4643.0DSMR 464 or ARTH 3353.0PHIL 3013.0 
DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0Career Pathway Elective8.0Career Pathway Elective3.0 
Career Pathway Elective4.0 Social Science Elective3.0 
 14 14 12 
Total Credits 181
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter - London Option)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DSMR 1033.0DSMR 1003.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0DSMR 2303.0DSMR 2013.0 
ENVS 2603.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0GEO 1113.0ENVS 1602.0 
VSST 1014.0VSST 1024.0MATH 1194.0 
VSST 1103.0 VSST 1034.0 
 17 16 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ACCT 1104.0ARTH 1033.0DSMR 210 or 2153.0COM 230, 220, or 1813.0
COM 181, 220, or 2303.0COM 220, 181, or 2303.0DSMR 232 (or Career Pathway Elective)4.0DSMR 4773.0
DSMR 2113.0COOP 101*1.0ECON 2014.0ENTP 1053.0
DSMR 231 (or Art History Elective)3.0DSMR 210 or 2113.0MKTG 2014.0PHTO 110 or DSMR 2153.0
Select one of the following:3.0DSMR 215 or PHTO 1103.0 Career Pathway Elective3.0
DSMR 231 or 232 (or Art History Elective)3.0  
   
   
 16 16 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEDSMR 300 or 4773.0London Classes
  DSMR 3103.0Art History Elective3.0
  DSMR 3113.0Career Pathway Electives9.0
  DSMR 3333.0Social Science Elective3.0
  PROD 215 (or Career Pathway Elective)4.0 
 0 0 16 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
ARTH 335 or DSMR 4643.0DSMR 464 or ARTH 3353.0DSMR 300 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0 
DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0PHIL 3013.0 
PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
Social Science Elective3.0Career Pathway Elective3.0Career Pathway Elective3.0 
 13 13 12 
Total Credits 181
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4 year, 1 coop (Spring/Summer)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DSMR 1033.0DSMR 1003.0CIVC 1011.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0DSMR 2303.0DSMR 2013.0 
ENVS 2603.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0GEO 1113.0ENVS 1602.0 
VSST 1014.0VSST 1024.0MATH 1194.0 
VSST 1103.0 VSST 1034.0 
 17 16 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ACCT 1104.0ARTH 1033.0DSMR 210 or 2153.0COOP 101*1.0
COM 181, 220, or 2303.0COM 220, 230, or 1813.0DSMR 232 (or Career Pathway Elective)4.0COM 230, 220, or 1813.0
DSMR 2113.0DSMR 210 or 2113.0ECON 2014.0ENTP 1053.0
DSMR 231 (or Art History Elective)3.0DSMR 215 or PHTO 1103.0MKTG 2014.0PHTO 110 or DSMR 2153.0
Select one of the following:3.0DSMR 231 or 232 (or Art History Elective)3.0 Career Pathway Electives6.0
   
   
   
 16 15 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
DSMR 300 or 4773.0DSMR 311 (or Art History Elective)3.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
DSMR 3103.0DSMR 477 or 3003.0  
DSMR 311 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0  
DSMR 3333.0Social Science Elective3.0  
Career Pathway Elective4.0   
 16 13 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
ARTH 335 or DSMR 4643.0DSMR 300 or PHIL 3013.0PHIL 301 or DSMR 3003.0 
DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0DSMR 464 or ARTH 3353.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
PROD 215 (or Marketing Choice)4.0DSMR 496 (or Career Pathway Elective)3.0Career Pathway Elective4.0 
Career Pathway Elective4.0Career Pathway Elective4.0Social Science Elective3.0 
 14 13 13 
Total Credits 181
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.


Co-op/Career Opportunities

The Drexel Co-op experience is a renowned collegiate program and the essence of the Drexel Difference in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Design & Merchandising students spend a minimum of six months (two terms) working in positions during which they apply classroom and studio skills to an actual work experience within their chosen professions. Design & Merchandising students leave for co-op academically equipped to be part of a company, and return as young business professionals having integrated classroom knowledge into the workplace and improved their resume.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Science in D&M from Drexel are prepared for success in a wide range of Career Pathways.

Merchandising, Buying, E-commerce & Retail Operations

  • Account Executive/Sales Director
  • Assistant, Associate or Senior Buyer
  • Showroom Sales Representative
  • Merchandise Manager (Digital and Store)
  • Operations Manager
  • Store Leadership (Regional and District)
  • Purchasing
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • Allocation & Planning
  • E-commerce Merchandiser

Media, Marketing & Promotion

  • Fashion Marketing Coordinator
  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Product Campaign Specialist
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • Marketing Researcher
  • Fashion Forecaster
  • Fashion Magazine Editor
  • Stylist
  • Creative Director
  • Content Creator
  • Influencer Marketing Manager
  • Event Coordinator

Product Development and Sourcing

  • Product Development Manager
  • Fabric Manager/Materials Developer
  • Sustainability Coordinator
  • Trim Developer
  • Quality Control Specialist
  • Product Line Developer
  • Sourcing & Production Manager
  • CAD Specialist

Fashion Entrepreneurship

  • Store Owner
  • Freelancer
  • Brand Creator

Learn more about how our alumni have succeeded across the business of fashion.

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Co-op Experiences

Some past co-op employments of design and merchandising students include:

  • Assistant Buyer, Urban Outfitters/Anthropologie/Free People, Philadelphia, PA
  • Merchandising Co-op, TJX Companies, Framingham, MA
  • Merchandising Assistant, Nation Design, New York, NY
  • Product Development, Boathouse Sports, Philadelphia, PA
  • Social Media Engagement Co-op, AP Brand Group, Philadelphia, PA
  • Merchandising Co-op, Mundi Westport Group, New York, NY
  • Pattern & Graphics Trend Forecast Co-op, Fashion Snoops, New York, NY
  • Public Relations Assistant, QVC, West Chester, PA
  • Assistant Merchandiser/Wholesales Co-op, Few Moda Inc., New York, NY
  • Fashion Sales and Merchandising Co-op, Program F Showroom, Philadelphia, PA
  • Fashion PR/Social Media & Influencer Marketing Co-op, Krupp Group, New York, NY
  • Showroom Sales Co-op, Marchesa, New York, NY
  • Public Relations Assistant, Neiman Marcus, King of Prussia, PA
  • Design/Market Co-op, Charlotte Ronson, New York, NY
  • Public Relations Co-op, KB Brand Partners, New York, NY
  • Marketing Co-op, Lagos, Philadelphia, PA
  • Production Co-op, Derek Lam, New York, NY
  • Social Media/Brand Ambassador/Merchandising Assistant, Nicole Miller, Philadelphia, PA

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Design & Merchandising Faculty

Christine Baeza, MLD (Penn State University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Ethics, social entrepreneurship sustainability, design thinking, brand and merchandising management, textiles, textile designs and the circular economy.
Nick Cassway, BFA (Tyler School of Art). Associate Teaching Professor. Curating; experimental portraiture; computer design.
Maureen DeSimone, MBA (Colorado State University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Sales, brand and portfolio strategy, merchandising, new business startups, revenue and profit growth, team building, and leadership.
Joseph H. Hancock, II, PhD (Ohio State University) Retail & Merchandising Program Director. Professor. Apparel merchandising, retail operations, brand culture, GLBTQIA lifestyles and marketing fashion strategies.
Rachel Higgins, MS (LIM College). Instructor. Fashion sustainability, textiles, entrepreneurship, fashion presentation and show production.
Matthew Higgins, MFA (PA Academy of Fine Arts). Adjunct Instructor. Design foundations, Adobe Creative Suite, color and painting.
Alison Katz, MS (New York University). Adjunct Instructor. Multichannel buying and planning, digital strategy, site merchandising, and category content management.
Alphonso McClendon, MS (Drexel University) Associate Program Director. Associate Professor. Sourcing strategies for the apparel and textile industry, fashion business practice and entrepreneurship, merchandise operations and management, retail analytics and digital design.
Kimberly McGlonn, PhD (Louisiana State University). Instructor. Founder & CEO Grant Blvd ®
Dominic Monte, Grad Cert (Villanova University). Adjunct Instructor. Digital design, branding and creative communication.
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