Retailing and Consumer Sciences Undergraduate Program
Majoring in Retailing and Consumer Sciences
Retailing and Consumer Sciences majors examine retail marketing and management principles that are applied across a broad spectrum of U.S. and global retail businesses including store, catalog, internet, and services firms and other businesses that support these diverse retailers. Academic and research programs focus on retail marketing of products and services to consumers. Outstanding instructional and research programs delivered by RCSC's energetic and dedicated faculty are responsible for the program's growing reputation for excellence and its proven track record for career placement of its graduates.
One of the few four-year undergraduate retailing programs nationally, RCSC offers a broad selection of courses emphasizing various principles employed to manage the retail supply chain in order to satisfy consumers' needs. To advance into the major, students must apply for competitive admission to the professional phase of the RCSC program during their sophomore year. Acceptance into this final phase of their undergraduate training signifies that students have mastered basic competencies to prepare them for the division's upper division courses.
Opportunities for Undergraduates Courses in the major cover operations and strategies employed by diverse types of retailers that conduct business in both domestic and global markets. Students also gain a foundation in business basics through completion of required courses that provide the equivalent of a business administration minor. Retail Technology is an optional area of concentration available through courses provided in the RCSC major. To develop and enhance their quantitative and financial analytic abilities, students complete a variety of courses in business mathematics, statistics, accounting, and economics.
Students in the RCSC major also benefit from resources offered by the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing. Through the Center, students have opportunities to network with personnel from some of the nation's top retailing firms. They gain information about issues facing the industry and opportunities for internships and career placement following graduation.
Internships for Undergraduates
Today's employers are seeking strong academic records, leadership abilities, and tangible evidence of on-the-job skills among their future employees. Therefore, completing an internship that offers an in-depth examination of specific retail positions and businesses significantly enhances a student's competitiveness upon graduation. The RCSC program offers interested students an opportunity to complete a paid internship for academic credit between their junior and senior years. Networks established by the Center for Retailing and Consumer Sciences Education and Research and its corporate partners assist these students in obtaining approved internship positions with some of the nation's foremost retailers and retail support businesses. Full-time internships typically require employment for an average of 30-40 hours per week for a summer or academic semester.
Leadership Development Opportunities for Undergraduates
Another way for students to enhance their competitiveness upon graduation is to develop and demonstrate leadership abilities through participation in extracurricular student and professional activities. Through the Center, the RCSC program offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities that focus on professional development, leadership enhancement, and forming professional networks.
One organization, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), is a national organization providing an opportunity to teach principles of free enterprise to other students or community members. Working in teams, members pursue projects such as teaching responsible credit card use to students or acting as consultants to start-up businesses. UA's SIFE team regularly wins awards in international competitions. Being selected as an ambassador on the Student Advisory Board of the Center also provides professional development opportunities. Ambassadors serve as public relations liaisons for the Center and its events. Students also may join professional organizations within the RCSC division and the School, such as the Student Retailing Association or Kappa Omicron Nu honor society, to assist them in building leadership skills and networking relationships.
Specialized Certificates for Retailing
The Terry J. Lundgren Center and the RCSC undergraduate major awards certificates in a number of different specializations. Learn more about the retailing certificate program.
Watch a short video on the Retailing and Consumer Sciences Division program download our "Make Your Business Retailing" Brochure.
