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Summer Pre-College:
Fashion Merchandising

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Summer Pre-College: Fashion Merchandising A to Z

Session I: June 29 - July 12, 2025
Session II: July 13 - July 26, 2025

Are you interested in majoring in fashion merchandising?  Are you curious about possible careers in the fashion industry?  Want to increase your knowledge of fashion terminology and the significant companies, brands, and people within the industry?  Fashion Merchandising A to Z will dissect the Marist fashion merchandising degree and its three concentrations – Business, Promotion, and Product Development.  Over the two weeks, an introduction and overview of the influential individuals and businesses that have shaped the fashion industry will be discussed.  Multiple aspects of the fashion industry will be explored including retailing, buying, planning and allocation, retail marketing, e-commerce, social media, visual merchandising, product development, and global merchandising.  Students will gain insight from multiple industry guest speakers, experience Marist’s Maker Lab, utilize the Fashion Department’s Creative Resource Center and attend two field trips including one into NYC.

 

 

Welcome to Marist

Marist University is a highly selective and comprehensive institution noted for its leadership in combining a liberal arts foundation with a professional education. When prospective students visit Marist–our beautiful location on the Hudson River, top-notch facilities, the personal attention and expertise of our faculty, and the sheer enjoyment of their experience here–they want to join our community. At Marist, students get a premium education, develop career-ready skills, make lifelong friends, and graduate as the next generation of leaders ready to tackle a rapidly evolving world.

An Exploration of Fashion Merchandising

This course will explore the Marist College fashion merchandising degree and its three concentrations – Business, Promotion, and Product Development and the many career opportunities that the fashion industry has to offer upon graduation.

Throughout the session, students will learn about influential designers, merchants, executives, retailers and businesses that have shaped the fashion industry over the last several decades as well as those leading the industry today. Our experienced faculty will delve into a variety of topics including retailing, buying, planning and allocation, retail marketing, e-commerce, social media, visual merchandising, product development, and global merchandising.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

  • Gain an understanding of what a degree in Fashion Merchandising entails and the benefits it offers.
  • Recognize the differences in each concentration within the Marist University Fashion Merchandising Degree.
  • Comprehend and utilize basic terminology used to describe fashion as it relates to the industry.
  • Identify and understand the major players in the fashion industry over the last 100 years.
  • Discuss the impact of significant retail establishments on retailing and the consumers’ expectations when shopping.
  • Analyze the retail industry by consumer and understand the steps in strategic retail planning.
  • Understand how to identify target markets and consumer behavior.
  • Possess knowledge of all the elements that encompasses a retailer’s total image positioning.
  • Understand the steps in procuring, developing, and selling merchandise.
  • Demonstrate how the right tools, materials, and techniques can enhance the communication of a brand via social media and integrated marketing
  • Explore how emerging global retailers/brands will shape the future retail landscape.
  • Offer insight into the various types of careers within the fashion industry and where Marist Alumni are working within the industry.

Earn College Credits Over the Summer

Marist Summer Pre-College is geared toward sophomores and juniors in high school. Upon successful completion of the Fashion Merchandising SPC Program, each student will earn three (3) transferable college credits for the Marist University course, FASH 104N.

Program Cost

Please see below for the costs. Cost includes tuition & fees, housing & all meals, field trips, and most course materials. Cost does not include travel expenses. Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Marist Bookstore or the local mall, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.  Students should bring a laptop for their coursework.

$3,650

About the Program