Colorado State University

GPIDEA - Merchandising Graduate Certificate and Degree

Merchandising is one of the inter-institutional graduate programs offered through the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA), a consortium of universities that have come together to offer post-baccalaureate programs through distance education to students who for various reasons are unable to complete an on-campus degree. Emphasis is placed upon the movement of products through varied levels of the distribution channel, from design and development of the product, to sourcing and production of the product, through to promotion and sale of the product to end use consumers. The graduate program in Merchandising provides students with knowledge and skills necessary for managerial positions in merchandising.

Certificate:

Program Requirements and Curriculum

Students enrolled through Colorado State University will earn a certificate through successful completion of 15 credits in the following courses. Students may take up to six graduate credits without admission into the program, but completion of the certificate requires admission. For application information and requirements, see www.dm.cahs.colostate.edu. Cost for the program is $415 per credit hour for the 2007-08 academic year. For more information, please contact Jennifer Ogle at (970) 491-3794, or ogle@cahs.colostate.edu.

Required Courses

DM 510 - Consumer Behavior
DM 520 - Professional Advancement in Merchandising
DM 530 - Product Design, Development and Evaluation
DM 540 - Promotional Strategies in Merchandising
DM 550 - Retail Theory and Practice

Master of Science Degree:

Program Requirements and Curriculum

Students enrolled through Colorado State University will earn a Master of Science degree through successful completion of five 500-level courses (15 credits) and five 600-level courses (15 credits), as well as 6 credits of DM 699 (Thesis), for a total of 36 credits. Cost for the program is $415 per credit hour for the 2007-08 academic year. For more information, please contact Jennifer Ogle at (970) 491-3794, or ogle@cahs.colostate.edu.

Required Courses

DM 510 - Consumer Behavior (3 cr.)
DM 520 - Professional Advancement in Merch(3 cr.)
DM 530 - Product Design, Development and Eval (3 cr.)
DM 540 - Promotional Strategies in Merch (3 cr.)
DM 550 - Retail Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
DM 610 - Historical and Contemp Issues in Trade (3 cr.)
DM 620 - International Merchandise Management (3 cr.)
DM 630 - Merchandising Research Methods (3 cr.)
DM 640 - Merchandising Finance (3 cr.)
DM 650 - Strategic Decisions in Merchandising (3 cr.)

Benefits: On-campus attendance is not required to complete this program. No career interruption is required. Learn from expert faculty at five institutions.

Delivery Method: Courses are delivered online.

Designed For: Professionals who are interested in post-secondary education as preparation for management positions in merchandising or professionals who have a Bachelor's degree and are interested in a career change into the growing field of merchandising.

Time Frame: This program of study can be completed in three to four years, depending on course load.

Program Objectives: Upon successful completion of the Master of Science Degree in Merchandising, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a globalcentric perspective that articulates the interconnectedness of cultural, economic, political, social and environmental systems.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the character traits and skills associated with good leadership. Demonstrate the ability to analyze and synthesize these traits and skills to develop a personal leadership philosophy that can be applied to changing situational contexts.
• Assimilate and evaluate knowledge of and critical thinking related to: consumers, technology, current and future trends, product development and distribution, the research process, the strategic planning process, ethics and social responsibility.

Admission Requirements: You must submit the following for admission to the program - for detailed information, see www.dm.cahs.colostate.edu.

• Graduate School Application
• Applicants - Track I - Track I applicants are persons with fewer than five years professional experience. Applicants in this category are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• Applicants - Track II - Applicants with at least five years of professional experience in Merchandising may apply under Track II. Instead of taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), the student is to submit a detailed resume.
• Biographical statement
• Three Letters of Reference
• Official Transcripts
• TOEFL (international students only)
• Financial statement (international students only)

Faculty Profiles

Karen H. Hyllegard

Dr. Hyllegard currently serves as coordinator for the Department's undergraduate program in Apparel and Merchandising. She teaches courses in merchandising promotion, retail environment design and planning, and merchandising policies and strategies. Her research interests include consumer behavior, promotion, international and socially responsible retailing, and store design.