Fashion and Retail Studies
Fashion and Retail Studies
About
Fashion and Retail Studies
Degree: BS
Campus: Columbus
College: Education and Human Ecology
The programs in consumer sciences provide students with unique opportunities for careers in industries that provide goods and services, ranging from financial planners to merchandisers in retail or wholesale settings to hotel and restaurant managers. The department’s programs encompass product and service knowledge; the study of people who produce and distribute products and services, as well as the study of the people who use them; and the processes involved from conception to consumption. Programs in the department focus on enhancing consumer, individual and family well-being.
The fashion and retail studies major will prepare you to manage and merchandise fashion apparel, textiles, beauty and accessory products that will be manufactured and sold around the world.
Curriculum
Students take a core of major courses and select supporting major choice courses. The major is designed to integrate knowledge of people and apparel with allocation and distribution processes and product acquisition. Emphasis is placed on product knowledge—performance characteristics, selection criteria, and design principles and trends; process skills—consumer behavior and business practices; and communication—visualization and interpretation.
The curriculum combines product-focused courses with courses in retailing, marketing, management and accounting. Other courses focus on the development and quality evaluation of textile and apparel products and on commercial production of apparel worldwide. Qualities and performance of fibers, fabrics and constructed apparel products are also studied.
Required courses:
- Fashion, the Body and Popular Culture
- Commercial and Consumer Aesthetics
- Business of Fashion
- Beginning Textile Science
- Appearance, Dress and Cultural Diversity
- Fashion Forecasting
- Ready-to-wear Analysis
- Retail Environments
- Statistics
- Third-level writing course
Students gain a focus toward a chosen career path by completing an additional six courses in one of the following focus areas: product development or merchandising.
Typical courses for the product development option:
- Fashion Illustration
- Computer-Aided Product Development
- Twentieth-Century Fashion
Typical courses for students pursuing the merchandising option:
- International Retailing
- Global Patterns and Issues in Textiles and Apparel Trade
- Merchandise Buying and Management
Internship
An internship or field work (generally taken as a junior or senior) is also a required part of the industry-based curriculum.
Student organizations
The Black Retail Action Group at Ohio State is a chapter of a nonprofit organization based in New York with the purpose of helping minorities succeed within the retail industry.
The Fashion Student Organization promotes knowledge of the fashion industry through many activities including an annual fashion show and trip to New York City.
The Fashion Production Association provides students with the opportunity to publicly display their abilities in garment design, as well as advertising, fundraising and special event production, culminating in a fashion design show or public exhibit at the end of the school year.
Possible careers
Graduates typically find employment in firms ranging from specialty stores to mass merchandisers to catalog distributors. Positions include wholesale/retail manager, buyer, entrepreneur and visual merchandiser. Graduates who are more interested in pursuing employment in product development find opportunities as apparel product development specialists and technical designers as well as positions in quality control.
Salary estimates
Beginning salaries for graduates of the fashion and retail studies program range from $30,000 to $40,000 depending on the candidate’s skills and previous work experiences.
Requirements
Entry Requirements
Criteria of our holistic review, in no particular order.
Successful completion of university preparatory courses
High school performance (class rank or GPA), including participation in accelerated programs like Honors, AP and IB; Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for class rank or GPA
Standardized test score (ACT or SAT); Ohio State does not have minimum requirements for ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Ability and desire to contribute to and engage with a diverse campus community
Experiences that demonstrate leadership or engaged involvement (e.g., co-curricular activities, work experiences or military service)
Status as a first-generation university student
Demonstration of outstanding talent in a particular area
High school performance if adversely affected by physical, mental or learning environment factors
Eligibility for and likelihood of benefiting from organized support services at Ohio State
Enrollment in your intended major
Once it is determined that you are admissible, you will be considered for enrollment in the college of your intended major. Read about
English Program Requirements
we require evidence of English language proficiency, unless you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.
Fee Information
Tuition Fee
TRY 35,018How to Apply
How do I submit scores?
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.
Tips for sending scores to Ohio State
Scores must come directly from the testing agency. When you register for the ACT or SAT, indicate that you want your scores sent to Ohio State.
If you already took the test but didn't send your scores to Ohio State, you can order them for a fee. Order in advance to be sure scores reach us by the application deadline.
We must receive standardized test scores by your application deadline (either November 1 or February 1 for autumn semester applicants).
October 2 (SAT) and October 23 (ACT) are your last 2021 test dates if you want your scores to be considered for our November 1 early action deadline. Important! If you plan to test on those dates, you must request that Ohio State receive scores when you register for the test. And please note: If you choose to have your scores considered, you won’t be able to review scores from these dates prior to submitting your application by the November 1 deadline.
Applicants who will have been out of high school for two or more years by their term of enrollment are not required to submit scores.
Is the essay required?
The essay is not required for either the ACT or SAT.
Should I take a standardized test more than once?
Ohio State looks at the highest composite score from a single test date. Taking the test (and having scores sent to us) more than once, while not required, may work to your advantage.
How does Ohio State look at scores?
When considering students for admission or Honors and Scholars selection, we consider the best official composite / combined score from a single test administration. Ohio State does not mix sub-scores from multiple tests.
These items plus the Common Application (STEP 3) make up a complete application. We must receive all items by the deadline to consider your application on time.
Official transcripts
High school transcripts
Request that your high school or secondary school send transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates for coursework from the final four years (grades 9-12) to Ohio State.
How to send your transcripts to Ohio State:
Your high school counselor can upload the transcripts / documents / official copies of examination certificates using Common App, Naviance or other secure electronic delivery service.
Your high school counselor can email the transcripts to [email protected].
If electronic submission is not possible, please mail your official transcripts to our express mail address.
Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
Foreign language documents must be translated into English by the issuing institution, an authorized translator or a teacher of the language. Any additional requirements will be posted to your Applicant Center, so be sure to check your application status regularly after you've applied.
Official ACT or SAT scores
Ohio State has adopted a TEST-OPTIONAL policy for 2022 applicants. Learn more.How do I submit my scores?
We must receive your official ACT or SAT score sent electronically directly from the testing agency. Scores from transcripts will not be considered. Read more about score requirements in STEP 1.
Optional: Recommendation from a teacher or counselor
While not required, your counselor may send a maximum of two letters of recommendation electronically through the Common Application.
If an electronic option isn’t available, your counselor may email your letter(s) to
[email protected]; the letter must include your first and last name and OSU ID number, found on the email we send acknowledging receipt of your application. Letters sent via email are subject to sender verification.
Official proof of English language skills
You must request that your testing agency send official scores electronically to Ohio State demonstrating the English proficiency level outlined below:
TOEFL (internet-based test or internet-based test Home Edition*): 79 or higher
IELTS or IELTS Indicator*: 6.5 or higher
ACT: 21 or higher on the English section
SAT: 27 or higher on the Reading Test
Duolingo*: 105 or higher
You are exempt from this requirement if you have completed three full years of school at a U.S. regionally accredited high school or if you are a citizen of, or have received a bachelor’s degree from, Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, Scotland, the United States or Wales.
Ohio State has an intensive English program for students who wish to improve their language skills called the American Language Program. A separate application is required for this program. Ohio State does not offer conditional admission to students who enroll in the American Language Program.
*To accommodate applicants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Ohio State University will accept Duolingo, the IELTS Indicator and the TOEFL internet-based test Home Edition from any international student applying for spring 2022 or autumn 2022 admission. All Duolingo test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival to campus. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Indicator test takers are required to take an English placement exam upon arrival unless they qualify for a TOEFL or IELTS score exemption.
Fashion and Retail Studies
The Ohio State University
United States of America,
Columbus
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