About the Merchandising Program
The merchandising concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Design, Merchandising and Textiles at the University of Wyoming offers a hands-on, industry-driven merchandising degree designed to prepare students for careers across retail, fashion and consumer goods industries. Our merchandising program blends creative thinking with business strategy, giving students a comprehensive understanding of product development, retail operations, sourcing and visual merchandising. Unlike many merchandising programs that focus narrowly on retail, UW's merchandising degree emphasizes cross-training in design, merchandising and textiles, ensuring graduates develop a broad skill set valued by employers.
Declared majors who complete their first semester in the department are eligible for multiple Family and Consumer Sciences scholarships, providing meaningful financial support through their academic career. The department regularly awards more than $150,000 in scholarships to outstanding students in recognition of their academic achievement, creativity and involvement within the program.
What Can You Do With a Merchandising Degree?
Graduates of the University of Wyoming merchandising program are prepared for diverse career paths across the fashion, retail, health and beauty industries. The merchandising field is creative, fast-paced and constantly evolving, offering graduates the chance to pursue careers that blend strategy, storytelling, and hands-on problem solving. From visual merchandising and buying to retail management, event planning and entrepreneurship, a merchandising degree opens the door to many exciting avenues, allowing students to shape careers that align with their creativity, interests and professional goals.
UW merchandising alumni have gone on to work as:
- Retail and store managers
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
- Visual merchandisers
- Buyers and sourcing specialists
- Event planners
Merchandising students have gone on to complete master's and certificate programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in California, among other schools and universities!
Choosing UW's merchandising program means joining a creative, close-knit learning environment where your ideas matter and your work goes beyond the classroom. In our program, you're encouraged to explore multiple career paths within the merchandising field, build confidence through leadership and collaboration and graduate with a clear sense of how your creativity can translate into a profession. With personalized faculty mentorship and opportunities to experiment, take risks and grow, our merchandising degree is ideal for students who want to have both creative freedom and practical direction.
No! UW's merchandising program is designed for students across all skill levels. Our program will teach you the skills you need to be successful in the merchandising sector.
"After gaining a few years of corporate experience in retail sales management, I started my own wedding and event company in 2021 and have done over 40 events and counting. UW gave me the confidence to pursue my dream by giving many useful skills such as time management, leadership opportunities and an outlet for my creativity."
- Shirin Cutler | 2019 Graduate
