a male and female student practice tying ties in a classroom

Fashion Merchandising

Bachelor of Science

The business of fashion is complex, fast-paced and profitable. Don’t mistake this for a garment construction program — our comprehensive, business-oriented curriculum provides students with an in-depth look into the fashion industry. This includes courses in fashion history, product line development, buying and planning, distribution, visual merchandising, textiles, styling, and brand marketing. It’s our mission to prepare students for professional fashion careers or graduate education by providing teaching excellence that advances creativity, global awareness and current business practices.

Minors

    The Fashion Studies minor is offered to non-majors. A GPA requirement of 2.5 remains the standard. No courses may be taken as pass/fail.  Fashion Studies minors are required to complete a total of six courses (17-18 credits).

    The following two foundation courses are required:

    • FASH 110: Introduction to the Fashion Industry
    • FASH 120: Personal Styling Analysis        

    Students then choose four more courses from those listed below:

    • FASH 100: Fashion Public Speaking
    • FASH 230: Fashion Branding
    • FASH 240: Global Fashion Trends
    • FASH 260: Fashion Journalism
    • FSAT 300: Fashion Merchandising International Travel
    • FASH 310: Menswear
    • FASH 330: Textiles for Apparel
    • FASH 360: Merchandise Planning and Control
    • FASH 365: Fashion Buying with Excel
    • FASH 400: Professional Development
    • FASH 410: Fashion Evolution
    • FASH 430: Visual Merchandising
    • FASH 450: Product Line Development with Illustrator

Fast Facts

  • Our majors can spend their first three years in Erie and their final year in New York City to graduate with two degrees — a bachelor’s degree from Mercyhurst and an associate degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
  • Fashion majors love to travel! Our students enjoy annual trips to fashion capitals of the world, visiting cities like New York City, Paris, London and Milan.
  • Students can now choose to study in Paris, France, during their senior year! Students in this 3+1 program earn two bachelor’s degrees—a B.S. in fashion merchandising (Mercyhurst) and a bachelor’s in fashion and luxury retail management (American Business School of Paris).

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate:
    • Data gathering, synthesis, problem-solving, and decision-making
    • Written and oral presentation skills appropriate to the fashion field. Identify the manner in which historic, cultural, and cyclical environmental factors impact the fashion industry
    • Basic planning, production, promotion, and distribution techniques for the men's, women's, and children's wear markets
    • Knowledge of mathematical concepts and financial statements related to merchandise buying and planning. Identify the variety of career opportunities within the fashion industry, inter-relationships between them, and methods to gain entry therein
  • Distinguish the intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics of all segments within the textile complex, following the progression from fibers to end products

Find Your Perfect Fit

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  • In The Classroom

    Fashion Merchandising students investigate personal theory using swatches to determine the personal color palettes of their classmates and volunteers. Students then applied the results of their hands-on personal color analysis to uncover what shades best compliment the individual’s wardrobe. This palette provides valuable insight for personal styling, as well as overall look!

    fashion merchandising students analyze color
  • The Mutt Gala

    Fashion Merchandising students escorted canine models down the pink carpet at the Erie Humane Society’s (EHS) second annual Mutt Gala. Besides escorting dogs in their show attire down the runway, Fashion Entrepreneurship students wrote commentary, selected music, fundraised, and posted content on social media in support of the event.

    a student walks a dog down a runway at The Mutt Gala
  • two female fashion students try on colored scarves
  • fashion merchandising students work with fabric
  • fashion merchandising students practice tying ties
Career Outcomes
    Merchandiser Merchandise Planner Visual Merchandiser Wholesale Product Coordinator
    Allocation Analyst Public Relations Director of Human Resources E-commerce Manager
    Special Event Manager Social Media Coordinator Associate Footwear Developer Associate Category Manager
    Insight Specialist Insight Specialist Product Designer Copywriter
    Trade Compliance & Pricing Specialist Digital Brand Analyst Account Support Analyst Buying Operations Coordinator
    Copy & Content Lead Director of Sales Marketing Coordinator Merchant
    Instructor Trend Forecaster Product Development Technical Designer
Fall 2025 MU Attic Events
    Event Date Time Location Details
    Open House Friday, Oct. 17   Old Main, Third Floor
    • Coinciding with Mercyhurst’s “Day in Fashion” for the fall semester, this Open House expands the MU Attic to encompass the entire third floor.
    • Dynamic fixtures will be positioned across rooms, highlighting student-made pieces and projects.
    • Copies of Statement magazine will be available for purchase.
    Night at the Haunted Mansion Friday, Oct. 31 6:30-9 p.m. Old Main Foyer
    • The MU Attic invites you to join us on Halloween night for an evening of more treats than tricks.
    • The MU Attic will bring its magic down into the historic Old Main foyer, stretching its web of curated vintage clothing onto campus.
    • Join Mercyhurst’s Historical Society in guided “Ghost Walks” around campus and learn the names of those who might still be walking the halls among you.
    • Featuring live music from the Mercyhurst Music Department.
    Sew into Sustainability Wednesday, Nov. 12    
    • The MU Attic will be present at this unique event hosted by the Fashion Department’s Visual Merchandising class.
    • Bring your own clothes to repair or enhance!
    • The MU Attic will have a fine selection of vintage apparel and patches to purchase for up-cycling.
    • Bespoke Tailoring will be on site for expanded, sewing-machine-based upgrades for a fee.
    • All proceeds benefit the MU Fashion Department.
    The Ghost of Christmas Past Friday, Dec. 5 1 to 4 p.m. Old Main Foyer
    • The MU Attic invites you to cross off some Christmas shopping and relax in style before finals week!
    • Features:
      • A festive assortment of high-quality vintage attire.
      • Unique student-made pieces.
      • Light refreshments and hot chocolate bar.
      • Music from the Mercyhurst Music Department.
Contact Us

Erin Magorien, M.S.
Program Director, Department of Fashion Merchandising; Chair, Department of Applied Business
Office: Main 304