Curriculum
The Certificate in Retail Leadership consists of 18 - 20 credits in the following areas: retail store management, retail operations and strategy, in-store visual merchandising, and retail store leadership.
Two Required Courses:
DSMR 231: Introduction to Retail Management (3 credits)
This course is an introductory, in-depth study of the retail industry. Knowledge gained by participating in this course includes management of all areas of a retail business and the tools necessary to thrive in such a competitive environment.
DSMR 232: Retail Merchandise Management (4 credits)
This course is designed to provide a complete overview of the buying and merchandising functions in today’s competitive retail environment. Quantitative and analytical aspects of retail strategy will be presented.
Electives:
Choose four additional courses from the following:
RETL 400: Retail Leadership Capstone ( 3 credits)
Combines classroom theory with practical application at the student's worksite. This course requires students to demonstrate their ability to apply classroom learning to situations benefiting a corporation.
RETL 315: Power of Retail Brands (3 credits)
Provides an in-depth analysis of retail branding techniques. Retail branding strategy will be discussed, including all aspects of branding from retail store marketing posters to in-store brand representatives. Students will deconstruct branding methods in order to comprehend overall brand strategy.
RETL 325: Applied In-Store Visual Strategy (3 credits)
Provides students with an understanding of how retailers use visual display to gain retail market share. Students will examine various types of visual display and how this impacts upon the retail business environment.
CAT 302: Customer Service Theory & Practice (3 credits)
Focuses on the theory of customer service and the practices that "best in class" companies apply to differentiate themselves from the competition. The course includes practical information and activities designed to teach students how to respond to customers, resolve problems, and provide quality customer service.
CRTV 301: Foundations in Creativity (3 credits)
Provides a foundation in creativity including leading creativity theorists and their ideas, and introduction to creativity in many fields. Students will explore basic creative characteristics including originality, fluency, flexibility, elaboration, resistance to premature closure, and tolerance of ambiguity. Sets the foundation for acquiring tools and applying creativity.
MGMT 260: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 credits)
Focuses on entrepreneurship as a generic activity, including start-ups and corporate entrepreneurship. It explores the opportunities and challenges faced by individuals starting up new ventures and the probable paths of career development for the students pursuing entrepreneurship.
MKTG 301: Introduction to Marketing Management (3 credits)
Provides a conceptual and applications-oriented framework for marketing decision-making in a dynamic environment. Emphasizes satisfying target customers and achieving organizational objectives through skillful blending of strategies in product development, pricing, promotion, and distribution. This is a writing intensive course.
PRST 212: Creative Studies in the WWW (3 credits)
Prepares professionals with an understanding of the process of developing creative, functional websites. Concentrating on the creative flow if the design process, the course uses Adobe Dreamweaver as the medium for development. Students should possess a basic level of computer proficiency before taking this course.
PRST 330: Career and Professional Development (3 credits)
Explores the literature of careers including preparation, organizational entry, orientation, nontraditional careers, and early, mid, and later career issues. The course provides students with opportunities for assessment of interests and capabilities, initiation and implementation of a personal development plan (PDP), and feedback on personal and career development.
