Retail and consumer sciences provides students with knowledge of the retailing industry and the principles and theories involved in managing personnel and merchandising goods for the consumer. A business minor is built into the degree requirements. The progressive direction that this program takes provides graduates with excellent management opportunities in the retail sector.
Why should you join our major in Retail and Consumer Sciences?
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In addition to the required coursework, the retail and consumer sciences major focuses on learning through industry-related work experience and a required internship. A student must complete 300 hours of postsecondary-work experience in retailing before their junior year. In the summer between the junior and senior year, a required internship is completed along with a 6-hour-credit online course. The purpose of which is to gain valuable skills to help the graduate be more marketable to employers. Some students are offered permanent positions with their internship companies. rcsprogressionpacket(2)
The department offers international and domestic study tours that combine industry and cultural visits. A New York fashion market trip is scheduled each spring and a biannual trip overseas is taken during miniterm.
Another opportunity for study abroad is an exchange program with Stenden University in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. Students can fulfill degree requirements during a spring semester through the Study Abroad Office for a tuition cost equivalent to attending UT.
Minor in Retail and Consumer Sciences
Required Courses
The minor consists of 15 hours.
Retail and Consumer Sciences (6 hours credit)
- 210 Introduction to Retail Management
- 341 Family and Consumer Behavior
Select three of the following:
Retail and Consumer Sciences (9 hours credit)
- 310 Retail Buying
- 346 Retail Operations Management
- 376 Strategies for Growth
- 412 Direct Retail Methods
- 415 Retail Promotion
- 421 International Retail Environments
- 484 International Retail Industry Study Tour
Total: 15 hours credit
Retail Technology Minor
Required Courses
The minor consists of 16 credits hours.
Complete:
- RCS 210 Introduction to Retail Management
- RCS 310 Retail Buying and Merchandising
- RCS 376 Customer Relationship Management and Retail Analytics
- RCS 425 Retail Category Management
- RCS 435 Retail Planning and Allocation