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Program facts 
Explore a career in the retail merchandising field with this 18-credit-hour certificate program. Ideal for individuals interested in exploring a career in retail management, this is also a great program for people currently working in the retail industry who are interested in career advancement opportunities.
Take classes in business organization, retail merchandising, business math, principles of professional selling, principles of marketing, fashion basics, Internet marketing, advertising, leadership and more.
Completing this certificate program is a convenient and affordable way to determine whether a career in retail merchandising is right for you. Some students may qualify to graduate debt-free by participating in Harper’s Sales and Retail Management Apprenticeship program.
This 18 credit-hour certificate program is designed for individuals with career interests in the retail management field. It is especially appropriate for those individuals employed in retailing who are seeking skills and knowledge which may prepare them for career advancement.
The Associate in Applied Science in Business Administration includes a specialized study area for Marketing. Please refer to Business Administration in this section of the catalog if you are interested in pursuing a degree in this discipline.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| MGT 111 | Introduction to Business Organization | 3 |
Description: Introduces the nature of business and the environment in which it operates. Forms of business ownership, introduction to operative and facilitating facets of business operation, management, marketing, accounting, statistics, business law, finance, investments, insurance and labor-management relations. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 150 | Business Math | 3 |
Description: Introduces arithmetic as a tool of business. Topics include fractions, decimals and percentages, computations of interest, bank discounts, depreciation, commissions, compound interest, payrolls and taxes and graph and chart design. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MKT 106 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
Description: Focuses upon the merchandising activities related to hardlines, apparel and other softline merchandise. Examines the role and qualifications of the buyer and the influence of consumer preference. Includes budgeting by dollars and assortment, pricing strategy, managing assortments, the selection and promotion of merchandise, and the coordinator of merchandising functions and processes. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MKT 140 | Principles of Professional Selling | 3 |
Description: Focuses upon the principal factors of successful selling of goods or ideas. Examines buying motives, sales psychology, customer approach and sales techniques. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MKT 245 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
Description: Focuses on marketing activities that will cover product planning, pricing strategies and promotional efforts including advertising, selling and sales promotions and distribution channel effectiveness. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select three credit hours from the following courses: | 3 | |
| FAS 112 | Fashion Basics 1 | |
Description: Presents fashion merchandise through evaluation of fashion products. Develops awareness of construction, as well as workmanship and design elements, such as fabric, color silhouette and taste. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 154 | Entrepreneurship | |
Description: Investigates positives and negatives of entrepreneurship and the process of concept to new venture. Analyzes typical venture errors and focuses on strategic management. Evaluates business ownership and franchising, pricing strategies, financing, location selection and human capital management. Discovers personal leadership traits. Assesses the personal entrepreneurial mindset. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MGT 205 | Leadership | |
Description: Investigates leadership styles and the influences of leadership styles within organizations from start-ups to global corporations. Explores the empirical science and evidence of leadership styles, motivation, communication, conflict resolution, negotiations, creativity and innovation. Examines leadership styles as they relate to culture, diversity and globalization. Evaluates the performance of successful leaders. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MKT 217 | Advertising | |
Description: Purposes of advertising, how advertisements are prepared and delivered in media, and how effectiveness of advertising is measured and evaluated in relation to the selling and marketing process. IAI MC 912 Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| MKT 252 | Internet Marketing | |
Description: Presents techniques on how to design, maintain, and market effective digital storefronts. Focuses on communicating, selling and providing content to Web-based stores and other Internet businesses. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
FAS 112 and the required courses in this certificate can be used towards the Fashion Merchandising AAS degree.
Students interested in business may also be interested in:
For more information about studying retail merchandising at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.