We send out periodic emails with info about current events and news within the College of Design. Send us your name and email to keep up to date!

Thank you!

Your information has been submitted.

Email Signup

Retail Merchandising: New Students

Information for New Retail Merchandising Students

Academic Information
Required Registration for Students Transferring Within the U of M System
Academic Advising
Study Abroad
Student Groups and Professional Organizations
Working

Academic Information

Your four-year plan identifies the core courses required for all Retail Merchandising students. There are two tracks to choose from in this major depending on your interest area: Apparel Track or General Track.

Please be aware that most of the RM, Des, and ADes courses required for your major are not offered every term; they are designated on your four-year plan as fall term only or spring term only.

Be sure to use your four-year plan in conjunction with your APAS Report to ensure timely graduation. If you have questions, your academic adviser is your best source of information.

[top]

Required Registration: Students transferring within the U of M system

You will receive permission numbers for Des1111 and RM1201 if you have not previously taken these major required courses. You must register for the sections you are assigned to.

Permission numbers will be available beginning April 23, 2012. If you are notified of admission after this date, please wait 5 business days from the date posted on your admission email to get your permission numbers. This time is needed to process your permission numbers.

U of M - Twin Cities Campus Students: You must pick up your permission numbers at the front desk of CDes Student Services in 12 McNeal Hall. You will need a photo ID to pick up your permission numbers. Our office is open 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.

Students transferring from a U of M coordinate campus (Duluth, Crookston, etc.): If you are unable to pick up your permission numbers in person, please e-mail your academic adviser to receive your permission numbers.

Note: New freshmen and students transferring from outside the U of M system (including CCE) will receive course permission numbers at summer orientation, when you will register for fall classes.

[top]

Academic Advising

Your academic adviser will be Katrina G. Thompson, who can be reached at kginther@umn.edu or 612-624-0755.

Note: Advisers do not schedule their own appointments. To schedule an advising appointment, please call 612-624-1717 or stop by 12 McNeal Hall.

You are required to have an advising appointment with your CDes academic adviser within your first year in the major.

[top]

Study Abroad

We strongly encourage students to consider spending a semester, May term, or summer abroad. Exposure to other cultures is a critical component of every business student’s education. Domestic study away experiences are also possible. New York City has also been a popular destination for a summer experience for retail merchandising students.

Students interested in a study abroad experience should work closely with their academic adviser and the U of M Learning Abroad Center to learn about their options and outline their course of study. Careful program and course planning will help you stay on track for timely graduation.

[top]

Student Groups and Professional Organizations

Consider joining a CDes or U of M student organization. Many organizations have student memberships and scholarships available. Popular options for retail merchandising students include:

[top]

Working

Retail merchandising is a demanding major. Although we recognize that many students need to work to finance their undergraduate education, the retail merchandising faculty strongly recommend that you work no more than 10 hours per week. Maintaining a high GPA is critical for acceptance to finding a job or landing an internship.

[top]