What the Degree Covers
Fashion Merchandising pairs creative coursework with the analytical side of retail: merchandise allocation and planning, international sourcing, branding and marketing, retail management and analytics, merchandising and buying.
The goal is an entry-level position in fashion retail management, merchandising or buying, with a path toward planning, sourcing and brand roles.
Degree Requirements
The B.S. in Fashion Merchandising totals 128 credits:
- 64 credits in the major
- 36 to 44 credits in the university core
- 22 to 30 credits of electives
The major’s requirements overlap closely with HPU’s marketing minor, so students can add it with little extra coursework. A Visual Merchandising Design minor is also available, and in Florence students can earn a Lorenzo de’ Medici certificate in Fashion Design or Visual Communication for Fashion.
Key Fashion Merchandising Courses
- ART 1150: Digital Art and Design. Introduces Adobe Creative Suite through design projects built on the principles and elements of design.
- FMD 1100: Introduction to Fashion Merchandising. Surveys the fashion industry from concept to consumer, including retail principles and career paths.
- FMD 2100: Social Constructs in Fashion. Studies the social psychology of clothing, the influence of culture on dress and the consumer behavior behind purchase decisions.
- FMD 3650: Digital Merchandising in the Fashion Industry. Covers assortment planning, pricing and presentation, plus e-commerce, branding and licensing on digital platforms.
- MKT 3180: Marketing Communication. Analyzes how firms persuade buyers through the full promotional mix of advertising, personal selling, sales promotion and publicity.
Visual Merchandising and Textiles Courses
- VMD 2235: History of Fashion. Traces dress, fashion and visual merchandising from antiquity through the 20th century and the forces that shaped them.
- VMD 2300: Materials and Textiles. Builds technical knowledge of materials and textiles and how they shape merchandising decisions and consumer behavior.
- VMD 3200: Visual Merchandising Studio II. An upper-level design studio where students take on projects beyond the set program, from department electives to design study abroad.
Read full course descriptions in the HPU Undergraduate Bulletin.
A Required Industry Internship
Every Fashion Merchandising student completes an internship at a fashion, wholesale or retail company before graduating.
Students have interned at CHANEL, Calvin Klein, Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus, Tory Burch, Restoration Hardware and Victoria’s Secret, and in product development at Interloop.
Working the High Point Market
At the biannual International Home Furnishings Market in High Point, students work in merchandising and sales positions and in visual merchandising and showroom design and setup.
Trips to New York put students in front of industry professionals in their offices and showrooms. Faye Lynch’s freshman trip with Dr. Victoria Brown included a visit to Kleinfeld Bridal, and Dr. Brown displayed an outfit Faye made in her textiles and materials class in a Norton Hall window.
Maymesters in Japan and Spain
Maymester courses in Japan and Spain examine how each culture shapes fashion and design.
Osaka, Japan. VMD 3000 Auspicious Environments: Far and Near explores Japanese influences in apparel, architecture, interiors and products, led by Dr. Victoria Brown, Kathryn Brandt and Brandon Jones.
Barcelona, Spain. ITG 3000 Biophilic Design in Barcelona, led by Dr. Jane Nichols and Lisa Williams, studies how nature-inspired design shapes art, architecture, interiors, fashion and visual merchandising.
Study Fashion in Florence
In the spring of junior year, students can study at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in Florence and earn one of two fashion certificates while paying standard HPU tuition. A completed certificate earns credit for VMD 3200.
- Fashion Design: construction techniques, fashion illustration, CAD for fashion design and trend forecasting. Students learn draping, pattern making, construction and illustration, then execute a collection for a fashion show or exhibit.
- Visual Communication for Fashion: fashion communication, illustration, photography and the history of Italian fashion, with visits to couturiers, design fairs and exhibits.
Students qualify once they pass every course required for the major by the December before departure. See the course lists for both on the Fashion Merchandising study abroad page.
Research and Creative Work
The Council on Undergraduate Research recognized HPU with its 2025 Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments. At the 14th annual High-PURCS symposium in April 2026, more than 410 undergraduates worked with 88 faculty mentors to deliver 260 presentations across 40 disciplines.
Learning From Industry Leaders
Fashion Hall of Fame designer Alexander Julian mentors students as HPU’s Fashion, Furniture, Textile Designer and Entrepreneur in Residence and has taught an introduction to fashion class for freshmen. Fashion Forward, the student group, runs a publication and pop-up fashion shows that give students a place to test merchandising and styling ideas.
The Princeton Review gives High Point University a 95 out of 99 rating for professor accessibility, based on its student surveys.
How Fashion Merchandising Students Describe the Coursework
Fashion Merchandising students and graduates describe the classes and mentors behind their work.
Chloe Koper
Fashion Merchandising major · Product Development Intern, Interloop North America
“Not only was I able to learn about Product Development, but I was also able to collaborate with the Design, Merchandising and Sales teams.”
Gracie Buckles
Fashion Merchandising major · Fashion Merchandising and Wholesale Intern, Mashburn
“HPU’s curriculum exposed me to the business side of the fashion industry, which prepared me for the work I completed at my internship.”
Faye Lynch
Fashion Merchandising major · Coordinator, Marie Oliver
“My most impactful mentor was Dr. Victoria Brown, assistant professor of home furnishings and interior design. She gave me opportunities that I never knew would be possible in my field.”
Fashion Merchandising in the News
Fashion Designer Alexander Julian Encourages HPU Students to See the World Differently
Julian also taught an introduction to fashion class for freshmen and two classes focused on the home furnishings industry.
Lisa Williams
HPU Welcomes New Faculty
She brings 13 years of experience as an interior designer and more than a decade of fashion merchandising, including eight years as vice president of merchandising, marketing and design for two major hosiery and intimate apparel manufacturers. She worked with national retailers, including JCPenney, Kohl’s, Nordstrom, Sears, Target and Walmart.
Sophia Boucher
HPU Students Build Professional Skills, Gain Experience at High Point Market
“This experience has shown me a look into the industry. Whether it be sales, communications, design and design choices, I have been able to observe and learn from so many inspiring and hardworking people.”
Celebrity Designers Share Their Stories with HPU Design and Merchandising Students
“Connecting our students face-to-face with celebrated industry professionals is one of the differentiators of our design and merchandising programs,” said Jane Nichols, chair and associate professor of home furnishings and interior design.
Charlotte Dorn
Event Management major, Fashion Merchandising minor
“HPU helped me gain the proper information of both event management and fashion merchandising through my major and minor courses.”
HPU Students Build Professional Skills, Network at High Point Market
Students sharpened their life skills and gained real-world experience in the home furnishings, design, merchandising and sales sectors as they handled various job responsibilities during one of the world’s largest home furnishings tradeshows.
Explore Fashion Merchandising at High Point University
See how HPU fashion merchandising ranks and where its graduates go next.
Accreditation & Awards Careers & Student Organizations
Questions about the program? Email Jane Nichols at [email protected].