Program Outline
Your program is designed to provide the knowledge and skills you’ll need for your new career. It consists of four semesters (semester one is general education requirement, semesters two through four offer courses in your major field of study). You must successfully complete the general education prerequisite semester in order to enroll in the Fashion Merchandising program of studies.
You will receive credit for previous college work if you meet Penn Foster College standards. If you wish to receive credit for previous coursework, contact the college you attended and ask that your official transcripts be forwarded to Penn Foster College for evaluation. All previous college work must have been completed with a grade of "C" or better, and up to 75% of the required credits may be transferred. We will also credit your tuition for all the courses that are acceptable.
We’ll send your first course materials immediately after your enrollment for the first semester has been accepted. Courses will follow one at a time as you complete your required assignments, so you’ll always have learning materials to work with. As you complete each semester, an enrollment application for the next semester will be sent to you.
System Requirements
You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.
Online Library and Librarian
Students at Penn Foster College have access to an online library during their college studies. Students can use the library to do the required course research or for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and will assist students in research activities.
Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your lessons:
SEMESTER
ONE |
Basic Skills
Assessment
All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.
ENG103 – Information Literacy (1 credit)
Teaches students to become effective in finding and utilizing information at libraries and other information centers, and through electronic resources available in libraries and on the World Wide Web.
CSC104 – Computer Applications (1 credit)
Computer and Internet Basics; computer hardware and software; digital electronics and file management; introduction to Windows®; PC applications in word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
Social Science Elective (choose one) (3 credits):
SCI110 – Earth Science
Surveys a broad range of topics within the fields of geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy.
SCI120 – Introduction to Biology
An introductory course that explains the origin of life and the relationship between all living things. It describes how a significant number of organisms are structured and how they work, in order to enable students to discuss intelligently the various forms of life and their processes.
SCI140 – Nutrition
Personal decision making about nutrition; nutrition science; water; exercise; human growth and aging; safety of the food supply; the global view.
SSC130 — Essentials of Psychology (3 credits)
Biology and behavior; consciousness; memory; thought and language; intelligence; personality and gender; stress; community influences.
Humanities Elective (choose one) (3 credits):
HUM102 – Art Appreciation
Artistic media; historical periods and artistic movements; roles of the artist and the viewer; art criticism.
HUM104 – Music Appreciation
Appreciating music; roles of composer and listener; principles of music theory and instrumentation; historical periods; varying styles of music.
ENG100 – English Composition (3 credits)
Writing difficulties; grammar review (sentences, parts of speech, punctuation marks, and paragraphs); defining unfamiliar terms; finding ideas through free writing and brainstorming; organizing ideas; principles or revising and editing; figures of speech; writing for the senses; getting the reader's attention; descriptive writing; first-person narratives; reflective and persuasive essays; thesis statements.
Proctored Examination*
|
SEMESTER TWO
FSH101 – Introduction to the Fashion Industry (3 credits)
Traces the development of fashion and the fashion industry; shows how consumer demand affects fashion marketing; explains fashion change and consumer acceptance; covers market research and analysis; traces the development, production, and marketing of raw materials; covers international fashion centers as well as retailing, merchandising, and marketing.
GRD105 – Color Theory (3 credits)
Color Theory covers the analysis of the dynamic interaction of color and its implications for designers and artists. This course also covers the physics of color, colored light, colored pigments, and the color wheel. Students are introduced to basic color principles, industry terminology, Johannes Itten’s color theory and applications, with an emphasis on manipulating color.
FSH110 – History of Fashion (3 credits)
The dress of each era in the context of the historical events, societal values, and technology that influenced clothing and its production; how the organization and function of the fashion industry changed as it became more complex.
BUS121 – Economics 1 (3 credits)
Macroeconomics; the cost of living; monetary systems; international factors; short run economic fluctuations.
MAT120 – College Algebra (3 credits)
This course introduces students to basic algebraic concepts. Topics covered include the real number system, exponents, scientific notation, equations of lines, graphing, inequalities, absolute values, polynomials, factoring polynomials, and rational expressions.
Proctored Examination*
SEMESTER
THREE
ACC113 – Basic Accounting (3 credits)
FSH120 – Introduction to Textiles (3 credits)
Introduces students to textiles in a nontechnical way; covers laws and regulations of the textile industry; identifies yarns, fabric formation, coloration, and finishes; examines the properties of fibers.
MKT301 – Marketing (3 credits)
The marketing environment; planning, information, and segmentation; consumer and business buyer behavior; product and distribution strategy; promotion and pricing strategy.
ENG121 – Business and Technical Writing (3 credits)
Writing styles; ABC method of organizing material; grammar (parts of speech, active and passive voice, complete sentences vs. sentence fragments; parallel construction); using action verbs; constructing paragraphs; writing memos, business letters, and emails; organizing material; conducting research; documenting sources; outlining; providing illustrations; writing reports, proposals, descriptions, instructions, articles, and manuals.
MKT320 – Consumer Behavior (3 credits)
Influencing consumer behavior; consumer decision-making; effects on research and marketing; environmental influences; ethical responsibility.
MAT215 – Merchandising Math (3 credits)
Proctored Examination*
SEMESTER
FOUR
BUS310 – Merchandising Planning and Buying (3 credits)
Methods, practices, and operations conducted to promote and sustain certain categories of commercial activity; principles and procedures used in planning, selecting, pricing, and selling goods in retail stores; domestic and foreign market purchasing; assessing product needs. Students will learn merchandising systems, assortment plans, and inventory control methods.
INT114 – Internet Marketing and E-Commerce (3 credits)
Provides a concise introduction to electronic commerce with balanced coverage of both technology and business topics; contains a comprehensive online companion that links the concepts in the book to real online examples; security, implementation, ethics, and legal issues in electronic commerce; case studies of real businesses.
MKT340 – Retail Management (3 credits)
Organization of retail stores; basics of retailing; management of a successful retail business; merchandising principles.
FSH 205 Fashion Promotion (3 credits)
Students will learn the process of promotion as well as the tools available for creating successful campaigns; emphasis is on the changing nature of promotion in a global marketplace; promotion strategies and techniques, personal and non-personal; covers the role and organizational structure of promotion and advertising and the creative elements involved.
FSH 220 Product Development (3 credits)
This course takes the students through the preproduction processes of apparel product development. Students will learn how to coordinate planning, forecasting, fabricating, developing silhouettes and specifications, pricing, and sourcing. Also covers the evolving partnerships among textile suppliers, product developers, manufacturers, and retailers.
Proctored Examination*
* As a degree candidate, you will take a proctored examination at the end of each semester on selected courses within that semester. We make it easy because you pick the location and the person you want to supervise the exam, as long as Penn Foster College's established policy and qualifications are met. Complete information packets with procedures will be provided well in advance, before completion of final semester coursework.
NOTE: Advanced standing student shipments may vary from the above schedule.
A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this degree program. Although this outline covers all four semesters of the Fashion Merchandising Degree Program, you receive lesson materials for each semester as you enroll.
We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.
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