Master of Science in Merchandising and Digital Retailing (Research Track)

Develop the transformational skills needed for career success in the global industry and in higher education. The Master of Science Degree in Merchandising and Digital Retailing offers a flexible, integrated program of study that prepares students to solve complex problems, create new opportunities in competitive markets, and understand components that support successful businesses, focusing on the management of products, services, and experiences in a consumer-driven global market. Graduate coursework such as research methods, merchandising strategies, digital optimization, global retailing and consumer theory prepare students for careers in industry or higher education.

The 33 hour Research Track prepares students for careers in research and teaching. Through independent study and faculty mentorship, students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to solve industry problems. The program culminates in the preparation of a thesis.

Many of our faculty members have been internationally recognized for their research and teaching by the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, the International Textile and Apparel Association, the American Collegiate Retailing Association, and the European Institute of Retailing and Services Studies, among others.

The student must meet the requirements for admission to the Toulouse Graduate School. Included in these requirements are:

a bachelor's degree from an accredited university,
an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 for the last 60 semester hours of course work or a 2.8 GPA on all undergraduate work,
a demonstrated proficiency in oral and written English, and
a minimum of 24 semester hours of undergraduate work in merchandising, or the equivalent, 12 of the 24 hours must be advanced. Students who do not meet the requirements must complete specified prerequisite courses in merchandising before beginning the graduate program. No single prerequisite course may have a grade lower than a B.
In addition, to be considered for admission into the merchandising program, students need to submit the following to the CMHT graduate coordinator:

three letters of recommendation from employers or teachers,
a resume, and
an essay that provides:
an overview of the student's undergraduate degree, any specializations, minors or certificates earned,
prior and/or current work experience, specifically work experience related to retail merchandising or other similar positions, including paid or unpaid internships,
professional goals and how the graduate degree will help achieve these goals, and
primary career objective for degree.
Students graduating from the Honors College with a 3.5 or higher GPA are entitled to automatic admission to, and are not required to submit standardized test scores for admission to, the Toulouse Graduate School and, with required prerequisites, to the graduate programs in the Department of Merchandising and Digital Retailing.

IELTS - 6.0
TOEFL iBT - 79
DET - 100