University of Michigan–Flint

What you'll study

The core of this degree is a marketing curriculum covering foundational business and marketing subjects, with elective pathways and experiential options that allow you to focus on international fashion marketing. Core marketing modules typically include Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Research, Brand Management and Marketing Strategy. Business fundamentals such as Accounting, Finance, Management and Business Law support your marketing studies.

• International marketing — global market entry, pricing and cross-cultural consumer behaviour.
• Digital and social media marketing — e-commerce, social strategy, analytics and content for fashion brands.
• Retail and merchandising — retail operations, visual merchandising, buying and assortment planning.
• Supply chain and sourcing for fashion — supply chain fundamentals, sourcing, sustainability and ethical issues in apparel production.
• Creative and brand communication — fashion branding, storytelling, public relations and fashion promotion techniques.

Students can also choose electives from related departments (for example, visual arts, textiles or communications) and pursue internships with retailers, brands or agencies. Opportunities for study abroad within the University of Michigan system and short-term faculty-led international programs enable direct exposure to international fashion markets.

Entry requirements

Admission to the University of Michigan–Flint undergraduate programmes typically requires a completed high-school diploma or equivalent and submission of official transcripts. Applicants are assessed on academic record and preparation in core subjects. Standard entry expectations include a solid secondary GPA and a record of quantitatively oriented coursework; standardised test submission may be optional in line with current university policy.

For transfer applicants, successful completion of transferable college coursework and a competitive college GPA are required. Specific concentrations or fashion-related experiential placements may recommend or request a portfolio of creative work and evidence of relevant extracurricular experience (for example, retail or design internships), but this varies by advising pathway.

Career prospects

Graduates combine marketing knowledge with fashion sector awareness and are prepared for a range of roles in domestic and international contexts. Typical entry-level and mid-level careers include:

• Fashion buyer or merchandise planner
• Brand or product manager for apparel and lifestyle labels
• Retail management and operations roles
• Digital marketing, social media and e-commerce specialist for fashion retailers
• International marketing coordinator and import/export roles in apparel trade
• Public relations, visual merchandising and creative marketing positions

Many graduates move into agency work, in-house brand teams, or continue to postgraduate study in areas such as international marketing, fashion management or business analytics. Internships, capstone projects and local industry connections help build a practical portfolio and professional network.

Why study at University of Michigan–Flint

The University of Michigan–Flint offers a small-campus setting with direct access to the wider University of Michigan system’s resources, which supports personalised teaching and advising alongside broader academic and study-abroad opportunities. The business and marketing programmes emphasise experiential learning, with internship placement support and industry partnerships in the Detroit metropolitan area—an active retail and manufacturing region that provides practical opportunities for students focused on apparel and retailing.

Students benefit from small class sizes, faculty with applied marketing experience, and career services that help translate classroom learning into real-world roles. The programme’s elective flexibility lets you combine creative, technical and international perspectives to prepare for careers in the global fashion industry.