Indiana University of Pennsylvania

What you'll study

The programme blends foundational business and marketing modules with specialist subjects in fashion and international retail. Early years cover core areas such as principles of marketing, accounting basics, economics for business, marketing research and digital marketing. Later, specialist modules focus on fashion merchandising, retail buying and planning, visual merchandising, fashion promotion, brand management and international marketing.

• Core marketing modules: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Research, Brand Management, Digital and Social Media Marketing.
• Fashion and retail modules: Fashion Merchandising, Retail Buying and Operations, Visual Merchandising, Trend Forecasting and Product Development.
• International and supply-chain modules: International Marketing, Global Supply Chain and Sourcing, International Retail Strategy and Cross‑Cultural Consumer Analysis.
• Quantitative and professional skills: Business Analytics for Marketers, Pricing and Promotion Strategy, e‑commerce, and professional communication.
• Experiential learning: Internship placement in retail or fashion businesses, practicum projects with industry partners, and a capstone or senior project integrating marketing strategy with fashion market realities.

Students are encouraged to take electives in areas such as sustainability in fashion, entrepreneurship, photography and web design, and to participate in study‑abroad or short international study programmes to deepen global market understanding.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised secondary-school qualification or equivalent. Typical offers expect solid achievement across academic subjects and evidence of readiness for degree‑level study; successful applicants usually show competence in English and quantitative reasoning. Portfolios are not normally required for the marketing pathway but can be useful if you have relevant visual or creative experience.

• Academic qualifications: a completed secondary diploma or equivalent with transcripts showing consistent performance.
• Recommended preparation: courses in English, mathematics and economics or business studies are helpful preparation.
• Additional considerations: personal statements, references and any relevant work experience (retail, customer service, internships) can strengthen an application.
• Transfer applicants: previous college credits in business or marketing may be transferable; applicants should submit transcripts for credit evaluation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles across retail, fashion brands and international marketing organisations. The degree emphasises both creative understanding and commercial skills valued by employers.

• Typical entry-level roles: merchandising assistant, retail buyer trainee, e‑commerce coordinator, sales and account executive, visual merchandiser.
• Mid-career roles: brand manager, category manager, international marketing coordinator, retail operations manager, sourcing analyst.
• Specialist and entrepreneurial paths: trend forecaster, fashion buyer, product development specialist, social media and content manager, or starting an independent label/retail business.
• Further study: graduates may progress to specialised master’s degrees in marketing, international business, supply‑chain management or fashion management.

Why study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania offers marketing degrees through its established business faculty, combining academic rigour with practical, career‑focussed learning. The programme’s emphasis on internships, applied projects and employer links helps students build a portfolio of real‑world experience that is attractive to retail and fashion employers.

• Practical focus: Opportunities for internships and industry projects with regional and national retailers, enabling hands‑on learning in merchandising and digital retail operations.
• Support services: Career services, faculty mentoring and workshops on resume building, interviewing and professional presentation specific to fashion and retail sectors.
• Global perspective: Study‑abroad options and international marketing modules that prepare students for work in global supply chains and cross‑cultural brand management.