Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design Major

Major Requirements

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.

Minimum Credits Required: 120

University Degree Requirements

For complete details on these and other university degree requirements, refer to the Degree and Graduation Requirements section in the University Catalog.

  1. Minimum of 120 semester credits (some programs may exceed this minimum).
  2. Complete the University General Education requirements.
  3. Minimum institutional GPA of 2.00 based on work taken at NDSU.
  4. Minimum of 30 credits in resident at NDSU.
  5. Minimum of 36 upper level credits (courses numbered 300 or higher).
  6. Students with transfer credit must meet the NDSU 30 credits in residence (#4). Of these 30 credits in residence, a minimum of 15 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above, and 15 credits must be in the student's declared major curricula.

University General Education Requirements

A list of university approved general education courses along with the administrative policies governing the requirement and the categories is available here.

Category C: Communication12
Category R: Quantitative Reasoning3
Category S: Science and Technology10
Category A: Humanities and Fine Arts6
Category B: Social and Behavioral Sciences6
Category W: Wellness2
Category D: Cultural Diversity
Category G: Global Perspectives
Category L: Digital Literacy
Total Credits39

Major Requirements 

Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design Core Requirements
ARMD 171Fashion Dynamics3
ARMD 181Aesthetics and Visual Analysis of Apparel Products3
ARMD 203Sustainability and Social Change in Fashion3
ARMD 210Dress in World Cultures3
ARMD 310History of Fashion3
ARMD 366Textiles3
ARMD 367Textiles Laboratory1
ARMD 371Fashion Trend Analysis and Forecasting3
ARMD 373Visual Merchandising and Promotion3
ARMD 375Professional Development1
ARMD 385Global Fashion Economics3
ARMD 386Merchandise Planning and Buying3
ARMD 472Product Development3
ARMD 481Capstone in Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design3
ARMD 489Study Tour1-3
ARMD 496Field Experience3-4
ART 122Studio Technology Foundations3
CSCI 114Computer Applications3
or TL 116 Business Software Applications
ECON 105Elements of Economics3
or ECON 201 Principles of Microeconomics
or ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics
PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology3
STAT 330Introductory Statistics3
or CSCI 159 Computer Science Problem Solving
ENGL 321Writing in the Technical Professions3
or ENGL 320 Business and Professional Writing
Option Requirement
Select one option to complete the major: Retain Merchandising; Fashion Product Development; or Fashion Entrepreneurship15 or 27
Total Credits75-90

Retail Merchandising Option

MRKT 372Global Retailing3
Select two courses from the following:6
COMM 112
Understanding Media and Social Change
COMM 200
Introduction to Media Writing
COMM 260
Introduction to Web Design
COMM 261
Introduction to Web Development
COMM 375
Principles of Strategic Communication
COMM 476
Advertising Campaign Practicum
ART 180
Photography I
ART 280
Digital Image and Output
ART 385
Advanced Topics in Graphic Design
Business minor is required 1
ACCT 102Fundamentals of Accounting3
or ACCT 200 Elements of Accounting I
MGMT 320Foundations of Management3
MRKT 320Foundations of Marketing3
MRKT 362Foundations of Retailing3
MRKT 410Consumer Behavior3
Select one from the following:3
MRKT 420
Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communication
MRKT 440
International Marketing
MRKT 460
Marketing Strategy
MRKT 465
Digital Marketing
Total Credits27

Fashion Product Development Option

ARMD 101Beginning Apparel Construction3
ARMD 155Apparel Construction and Fit3
ARMD 455Apparel Design and Assembly3
ART 124Foundations of Design3
ART 131Foundations Drawing3
Total Credits15

Fashion Entrepreneurship Option

MRKT 372Global Retailing3
Entrepreneurship minor is required. 1
ENTR 201Introduction to Entrepreneurship3
ENTR 401Entrepreneurship Capstone3
ENTR 301Entrepreneurship Toolbox I3
or ENTR 440 International Entrepreneurship
Select one from the following:3
MRKT 465
Digital Marketing
MGMT 451
Negotiations
ENTR 301
Entrepreneurship Toolbox I (If not taken above)
ENTR 440
International Entrepreneurship (If not taken above)
Total Credits15
1

Minors must be officially declared through the Office of Registration and Records. Minors are a minimum of 16 credit hours and may have a GPA restrictions. See the official minor curriculum.

Degree Requirements and Notes

  • Transfer courses from other institutions must have grades of ‘C’ or better to be accepted for the program.