University of Cincinnati

What you'll study

The programme builds from a foundation of business and marketing principles into specialised fashion and international modules. Early semesters cover core topics such as marketing fundamentals, micro‑ and macroeconomics, business statistics, and accounting, followed by intermediate marketing courses including consumer behaviour, marketing research and digital marketing.

Specialist fashion and international subjects explore fashion merchandising, brand management for fashion and lifestyle goods, international retailing, supply chain and sourcing for apparel, trend forecasting, product development, and visual merchandising. You will also study cross‑border business modules such as international business strategy, global logistics, and cultural aspects of consumption.

Learning is practice‑oriented: coursework commonly includes case studies, group projects, live briefs with industry partners, brand audits and digital marketing campaigns. The University of Cincinnati places a strong emphasis on experiential learning through co‑operative education placements or internships and opportunities for study abroad, allowing you to apply classroom learning in real retail, brand or wholesale environments.

• Core business and marketing modules: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Research, Digital Marketing, Brand Management
• Fashion and merchandising modules: Fashion Merchandising, Product Development for Apparel, Visual Merchandising, Trend Forecasting
• Global and operational modules: International Business, Global Supply Chain and Sourcing, Retail Strategy, Cross‑cultural Marketing
• Skills and methods: Market analytics, e‑commerce strategy, CRM and social media marketing, presentation and negotiation
• Capstone/experience: Industry placement (co‑op or internship), capstone project or live client brief

Entry requirements

Applicants will need a recognised secondary school qualification or equivalent. Typical applicants present a solid academic record with strengths in English and mathematics; specific grade expectations align with the University of Cincinnati's undergraduate admissions standards. Admissions considers a range of evidence including transcripts, personal statement, and optional standardised test scores where applicable.

Non‑native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency through accepted tests or equivalent qualifications. Relevant extracurricular experience — such as retail work, fashion projects, marketing clubs or creative portfolios — can strengthen an application but is not usually mandatory for admission to the marketing degree.

Specific entry conditions and any additional requirements (such as placement testing or interviews) should be checked with the university's admissions office or the programme webpage before applying.

Career prospects

Graduates are equipped for roles at the intersection of fashion and international business. Typical career paths include fashion buyer, merchandise planner, brand manager for apparel and lifestyle labels, retail manager, e‑commerce manager, visual or store experience manager, product development coordinator and international marketing specialist.

The programme also prepares students for roles in fashion wholesale, sourcing and supply‑chain operations, retail analytics, and creative marketing or communications agencies that service fashion clients. With experience, graduates may move into senior commercial roles such as head of buying, international expansion manager, or category director, or pursue postgraduate study in marketing, international business or fashion management.

Why study at University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati offers strong experiential learning through its long‑established co‑operative education programme, which helps students gain multiple industry placements and build professional networks before graduation. The campus brings together business teaching with design and applied arts expertise, giving marketing students access to fashion‑oriented resources and cross‑disciplinary collaboration.

Students benefit from connections to a regional and national business community with consumer brands and retailers, robust career services, and opportunities for study abroad to understand fashion markets internationally. The curriculum is designed to balance analytical marketing skills with creative and industry‑specific knowledge, preparing graduates for the fast‑moving, global fashion sector.