Introduction | Undergraduate Programs | Graduate Programs || Family and Child Studies | Merchandising and Consumer Studies | Nutrition and Dietetics Merchandising & Consumer Studies ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH CONSUMERS IN A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT? Consider... A Bachelor of Arts degree program incorporating business, public relations, economics, marketing, communication, event planning, and merchandising. Two concentrations available are: Consumer Studies and Merchandising. Concentrations Merchandising prepares students for managerial and merchandising careers in a dynamic, technologically advanced, and globally focused industry. The Merchandising concentration's integrative approach allows students to specialize in areas such as retail, wholesale, visual merchandising, human resources, and international trade. Consumer Studies prepares students for careers that focus on how businesses, government agencies, and community organizations interact with and promote the well-being of consumers and families. Travel Study New York * Dallas (and earn college credit while you travel!) Internships Internships - Practicas - Co-operative Education - Job Shadowing Students earn up to 9 credit hours beginning their Freshman year! Internships anywhere in the United States can be secured! Job Sites include Neiman Marcus, Disney, Gap, Limited, J.C. Penney, Chambers of Commerce, McRae's, Dallas Market Center, Holiday Inn, Ramada Limited, and members of the financial community. Personal Characteristics Needed People Oriented Sales/Profit/Financial interests Enjoy a Challenge Organizational Skills Highly Motivated/Self Starter Managerial Skills Jobs Consumer Studies Consumer Specialist; Meetings and Operations Coordinator; Event Planner and Coordinator; Director/Coordinator of Community and/or Non-Profit Agencies; Public Relations and Advertising; Consumer Educator; Promotions Manager; Community Relations Specialist; Education and Training Consultant; Convention and Visitor Bureau; Chamber of Commerce; Consumer Protection Agent; Lobbyist Just to name a few... Merchandising Store Management; Merchandising (Buying); Distribution and Inventory Management; Personnel Management; Direct Marketing; Visual Merchandising; Sales Associate or Representative; Entrepreneurship Just to name a few... Minors Consumer Studies concentration has a built in minor in Business Administration. Merchandising concentration encourages minors in Marketing, Art, Journalism, Management, or Entrepreneurship. Minor in Merchandising A minimum of 21 hours with at least 9 hours 300 level or above to be selected from: Merchandising & Consumer Studies 108, 118, 219, 238, 258, 268, 308, 348, 429, 439, 440, 466, 488, 498. Human Ecology 477. Minor in Consumer Studies A minimum of 21 hours to be selected from: Merchandising and Consumer Studies 108, 256, 258, 366, 426, 456, 466, 498; Human Ecology 327, 477 or 478 or 479; Family and Child Studies 441, 447, 471. Programs Merchandising and Consumer Studies Curriculum (B.A.) Freshman Year English 101, 102 6 Mathematics 100 or 101 3 Mathematics 112, 114, 125, or Statistics 200 3 Merchandising & Consumer Studies 108, 246, 256 8 Natural Sciences 9 Speech 110 3 Total 32 Sophomore Year Accounting 201 or 206 3 Economics 201 or 215 3 English 201 or 202 3 Family & Child Studies 201 3 Psychology 3 Merchandising & Consumer Studies 258 3 Directed Electives 6 Social Science Elective 3 Humanities Elective 3 Total 30 Junior Year Fine Arts Elective 3 Business Law 255 3 Human Ecology 327, 398 4 Marketing 300, 420 6 History Elective 3 Directed Electives 14 Total 33 Senior Year Directed Electives* 9 Human Ecology 457 1 Management 470 or 305 3 Merchandising and Consumer Studies 466 3 Human Ecology or Merchandising & Consumer Studies Elective 3 Human Ecology Practica or Merchandising & Consumer Studies 498 3 Electives 6 Journalism 450 3 Restricted Electives** 6 Total 28       TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS 123 * Directed Electives: chosen by student in consultation with advisor from one of the following concentrations below: ** Restricted Electives: 300 and 400 level courses selected in consultation with the advisor. Merchandising Concentration Directed Electives Sophomore Year: (6 hours) Merchandising & Consumer Studies 219, 238 Junior Year: (14 hours) Merchandising & Consumer Studies 118 or Merchandising & Consumer Studies elective; Merchandising & Consumer Studies 268, 308, 348, and 366 or 429 Senior Year: (9 hours) Merchandising & Consumer Studies 488 and 439 or 440; Marketing 435. Consumer Studies Concentration Directed Electives Sophomore Year: (6 hours) Family and Child Studies 210; Management 310 Junior Year: (14 hours) Family & Child Studies 447 or 471; Merchandising & Consumer Studies 366, 426; Restricted Electives (5 hours) Senior Year: (9 hours) Merchandising and Consumer Studies 388; Merchandising & Consumer Studies 456; Human Ecology electives (3 hours). Admission Requirements General admission requirements to the University apply to entering freshmen and transfer students. Upper Division Requirements Students must be admitted to Upper Division before enrolling in Human Ecology courses numbered 300 or above. Students in Merchandising and Consumer Studies are eligible for Upper Division status ONLY when they can answer YES to the following questions: Have earned a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of University credit including the following courses or approved equivalents/ substitutions: University Seminar 100, 3 hours of mathematics, English 101 and 102, and 6 hours of MCS courses. Have or will have a cumulative GPA of 2.2 or above on at least 30 hours by the end of the quarter in which they are applying. Have earned a grade of "C" or better in English 101 and 102. Have earned a grade of "C" or better in 3 hours of mathematics. Have earned a passing grade in University Seminar 100. Have completed at least six hours of MCS courses at Louisiana Tech University and earned a grade of "C" or better in all MCS courses taken. Are not currently on academic or administrative probation. Students may apply during the quarter in which the qualifications are being met.