Retailing, M.R.

Degree Requirements (30 Hours)

The Master of Retailing curriculum consists of 30 semester hours of graduate credit in approved courses. Required courses help students attain technological and decision-making skills to help solve real-world problems encountered in today’s fast-paced retail environment. Additionally, faculty members use case studies and group projects to build competency in oral, written and applied analysis of complex business situations. There are two options from which a student may choose to earn a Master of Retailing degree. For students planning to continue their education with a higher degree, such as a Ph.D., the Academic (thesis) option is recommended. For students who want a Master of Retailing degree for the content in the courses and/or to benefit them in their career, the Professional (non-thesis) option may be more suitable. If you are unsure as to which option to pursue, the Department of Retailing Graduate Director (hereafter Graduate Director) may be able to help you decide.

According to academic regulations of The Graduate School, at least half of the credit hours in a Program of Study, exclusive of thesis preparation (RETL 799), must be earned in courses numbered 700 and above.

Academic (Thesis) Option

A graduate student electing the Academic (thesis) option must successfully pass a comprehensive exam upon completion of 21 credits of course work (of which at least 12 credits must be at the 700 level).  In addition, the student must enroll in 3 hours of thesis preparation (RETL 799), an approved statistics course, an approved research methods course, and prepare and successfully defend a thesis.

Courses for Academic (Thesis) Option (30 Hours)

Choose at least four 700-level courses:

Course Title Credits
Select 21 hours of the following: 121
Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship and E-Commerce
Retail and Fashion Business Planning
Advanced Retail Promotion and Social Media Analytics
Fundamentals of Omni-Channel Retailing
Customer Relationship Management for the Retail Industry
Retailing E-Commerce
Customer Experience Optimization in the Retail Environment
Competitive Strategies in Retailing
Advanced Retail Space Management
Advanced Category Management
STAT 600Statistics for Applied Management3
HRSM 788Business Research and Analytics in Hospitality, Retail and Sports Management3
RETL 799Thesis Preparation3
Total Credit Hours30
1

At least 12 credits must be at the 700 level.

Professional (Non-Thesis) Option

A graduate student electing the Professional (non-thesis) option must take and successfully pass all courses listed below and pass a comprehensive exam.

Courses for Non-Thesis Option (30 Hours)

Must take all 10 courses listed below:

Course Title Credits
RETL 525Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship and E-Commerce3
RETL 551Retail and Fashion Business Planning3
RETL 569Advanced Retail Promotion and Social Media Analytics3
RETL 600Fundamentals of Omni-Channel Retailing3
RETL 662Customer Relationship Management for the Retail Industry3
RETL 710Retailing E-Commerce3
RETL 725Customer Experience Optimization in the Retail Environment3
RETL 748Advanced Retail Space Management3
RETL 749Advanced Category Management3
RETL 747Competitive Strategies in Retailing3
Total Credit Hours30