Skip to main content

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.

Group shot o Retail Studies Student Association (RSSA) Community
Navigate here to Retail Studies Student Association

Once accepted into the Retail Studies Program, students automatically become members of the Retail Studies Student Association (RSSA).

Internship card showing a Retail Management Student at company
Navigate here to RMI Internships

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. 

Student Applying to the Retail Studies Minor
Navigate here to The RMI Minor Application

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.
Retail Studies Requirements

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
or
BUSN 179
For business students only

 
Computer Concepts

OMIS 15

✓ 

✓ 

 

 
Data Analysis

OMIS 40 or  PSYC 40 or MATH 8/123 or AMTH 108

or COMM 110/COMM 100
Prerequisites for Comm 110 are Comm 1 & Comm 2

 ✓

 ✓

 

 
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
BUSN 70 followed by ACTG 11/ACTG 11A as well as MKTG 181 are prerequisites for Mkt 165

   
Winter or Spring
 
Internship

BUSN 198R
Note: Students register in the Spring of their Junior year but the actual internship will be typically completed over the summer or fall.
If you are dropping the RMI minor you are responsible to drop Busn 198R. If you forget to drop this class then you will get a NS grade which does not impact your GPA.

Offered in Spring Only

   
Spring
 
Organization and Management

MGMT 160

  ✓  ✓ 

✓ 

Senior Seminar 1

MKTG 168
MKTG 165 is a prerequisite for MKTG 168
Offered in Fall Only

     
Fall

Senior Seminar 2

MKTG 169
MKTG 168 and MKTG 165 are a Prerequisite for MKTG 169.
Offered in Winter Only

     
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

For more detailed information, please click here .