Retail Studies Minor
Get the skills you need to succeed in retail with the Retail Studies Minor.
Retail Studies minor offers undergraduates, regardless of their major, a comprehensive pathway into the evolving eCommerce and retail sector. This program equips students with leadership skills and insights crucial for various retail positions. With a focus on consumer behavior, retail business models, buying, merchandising, supply chain management, eCommerce, Digital Merchandising, and analytics, students are prepared for the dynamic demands of the industry. Moreover, through engagement with industry leaders, alumni, and the vibrant RMI Community, students cultivate valuable connections and discover abundant career opportunities.
The Retail Studies minor is open to undergraduates in all fields within the University.
We actively pursue opportunities for access to the best real-world experiences here locally in Silicon Valley, with retailer field experiences in the San Francisco Bay Area and conferences in New York and Las Vegas. All experiences are developed to give you a holistic view of the retail industry and its many career opportunities. The Retail Studies Program provides the insights and experiences to prepare for a career in the retail industry in many diverse fields including buying & merchandising, e-Commerce, planning, store management, global sourcing, supply chain, finance and information technology. We are proud to attract Retail Visionaries, Entrepreneurs and Silicon Valley Executives to Santa Clara University to connect you directly to business insights and technology evolution.
Once accepted into the Retail Studies Program, students automatically become members of the Retail Studies Student Association (RSSA).
RMI Internships are typically paid, full-time opportunities for retail studies students to experience the culture and business of recognized, industry leading retail and tech industry innovators.
RMI offers experiences and exposure to the retail industry through industry speakers, conferences, cutting-edge curriculum, internship & career connections, scholarship opportunities, and more.
Why Choose Retail Studies Minor?
The Retail Studies Minor is your gateway to a vibrant and dynamic career in the exciting and ever-expanding world of eCommerce and Retailing. The Retail Management Institute offers all undergraduates, regardless of their major, a minor in Retail Studies that complements any field of study while unlocking the secrets of the $6.86 trillion retail industry. This program equips students for various leadership positions in retail by focusing on consumer shopping, buying, merchandising, supply chain management, eCommerce, Digital Merchandising, and analytics. It's the best way to jump-start your career with access to a broad professional network and abundant career opportunities.
Below is a table highlighting how the Retail Studies Minor differs from other minors at Santa Clara University.
| BENEFITS | RETAIL STUDIES MINOR | OTHER MINORS |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting-edge Curriculum: Stay ahead with the latest trends and technologies in retail, taught by leading academic faculty and practical knowledge from industry experts. | ✓ | X |
| Access to and Support for Internships: Benefit from exclusive internship opportunities, career fairs, and personalized career coaching. For more information, contact us at rmi@scu.edu. | ✓ | X |
| Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships are available; contact rmi@scu.edu for details. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fully Paid New York City Visit: Experience the pinnacle of retail industry insights with a fully sponsored trip to New York City! Selected students will attend the largest retail conference, connect with industry leaders, and explore emerging trends. The opportunity also includes private, exclusive tours of top retail headquarters such as LVMH, Tiffany & Co., Kenneth Cole, Apple, and Google, providing a comprehensive and immersive experience in the world of retail. | ✓ | X |
| CEO Collaboration: Gain real-world experience by working directly with CEOs in-person through the C-Level Project. | ✓ | X |
| Access to Leading Executives and Mentoring: Receive mentorship and networking opportunities from industry leaders on the Retail Management Institute Board. Click here to learn more about our board members. | ✓ | X |
| Digital Merchandising Certification: Earn a free certification in digital retail technologies from Bloomreach, in partnership with the Retail Management Institute, in less than 8 hours to enhance your career prospects. Get more details here. | ✓ | X |
| Exclusive On-Campus Events: Join unique events and networking sessions tailored to the retail industry. | ✓ | ✓ |
RMI provides a platform for deep collaboration between industry and leading academics into the emerging and evolving concepts impacting retail today. The knowledge generated from this collaboration forms the basis of our curriculum.
| Core Courses Recommended Scheduling |
Freshman |
Sophomore |
Junior |
Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Business BUSN 70 |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
| Financial Accounting ACTG 11 / ACTG 11A Actg 11 is for business students
Actg 11A is for non business majors. |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
| Communication COMM 20/COMM 2 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
| Computer Concepts OMIS 15 |
✓ |
✓ |
|
|
| Data Analysis OMIS 40 or PSYC 40 or MATH 8/123 or AMTH 108 or COMM 110/COMM 100 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
| Technology / Information Systems COMM 12/COMM 50 or OMIS 34 or ACTG 134(or equivalent) or SOCI 49/149 |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
| Microeconomics
ECON 1 |
✓ |
✓ |
||
| Principles of Marketing MKTG 181 |
Fall or Winter |
|||
| Multi-Channel Retailing MKTG 165 |
Winter or Spring |
|||
| Internship BUSN 198R |
Spring |
|||
| Organization and Management MGMT 160 |
✓ | ✓ |
✓ |
|
| Senior Seminar 1 MKTG 168 |
Fall |
|||
|
Senior Seminar 2 MKTG 169 |
Winter |
Contact Us
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us via Email , call us at (408) 554-4753, or visit us in person at Lucas Hall, Suite 111 E.
Frequently Asked Questions
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