Merchant Development Program

Purpose

To provide students with skills needed to become a successful merchant.

Mission

To enhance degree competencies through corporate exposure, a mentoring experience, and professional development.

Vision

To be a nationally recognized program for the development of exceptional merchants that are prepared for a retail career.

Criteria to Participate in the Program

 A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0  At least 300 documented hours working in a retail organization  Completed all of the pre-major courses with a grade of at least B

B.S. in Home Furnishings B.S. in Merchandising B.S. in Digital Retailing Merchandising MATH 1100 or higher MATH 1100 or higher DSCI 2710 ENGL 1310 or 1313 ENGL 1310 or 1313 ENGL 1310 or 1313 MDSE 1650 HFMD 2380 DRTL 2090 MDSE 2350 HFMD 2400 MDSE 1650 or HFMD 2655 or HMGT 2800 MDSE 2490 HFMD 2655 JOUR 2010 or JOUR 2420 MDSE 2650

Application Procedure

 Complete and submit an application to Mrs. Laura Storm, the Merchant Development Program Coordinator. The application must include the following documents: o Application form o Copy of your current Darwin Report or Unofficial Transcript. o Copy of an advising plan that demonstrates your progress to successfully complete the MDP. o Essay (300-500 words) to explain your career goals and your motivation to successfully complete the MDP. o Documentation that you have worked a minimum of 300 hours in retail.

1 Program Requirements

 Complete the following coursework with a grade of B or higher: o MDSE 4510 – Advanced Buying, Planning, and Allocation o Select one of the following courses to complete: . MDSE 4000 – Global Discovery (New York, Hong Kong, Europe, Silicon Valley, or Dallas) . MDSE 4850 – Brand Development . DRTL 3190 – Digital Retailing Strategies  Be an active member of NRFSA.  Acquire a mentor and document frequency and outcomes of interaction. The mentor and mentee should meet at least every 4-6 weeks. o Expectations of the mentor (industry professional): . Help the student develop a career vision. . Suggest resources that will help the student develop professionally. . Provide professional networking opportunities. o Expectations of the mentee (student): . Research the mentor’s background and prepare conversation points. . Provide the mentor with a written list of questions prior to each meeting or phone call. . Prepare a set of goals and objectives for the mentoring relationship.  Document 24 hours of community service during your time in the program.  Attend MDR professional development events such as Executive + Scholar lectures or the Consumer Experience Symposium (attend at least 1 per semester).  Participate in at least one professional development presentation that will focus on the soft skills needed to succeed as a merchant. MDP students will work together as a team to research the topics and present to fellow students. o Possible presentation topics: servant leadership, business etiquette, leadership, appropriate business dress, negotiation, communication and collaboration in challenging situations, resilience and persistence, goal setting, networking, work/life balance, earning the trust of others, etc.

Strongly Encouraged  Complete a Menternship: Contact Dr. Brandon for details.  Earn a Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Microsoft Excel 2013.  Enter a curriculum-related contest (i.e. FGI Trend Board or DAVACO competition, CMHT Research Competition, NRF Ray Greenly scholarship competition, Ricco Ethics Award Competition).  Attend UNT’s Money Management Center workshop on personal financial responsibility.  Participate in a job shadowing experience with an industry executive.  Complete an independent case study that brings together your experiences in required courses, industry-related experiences, and perhaps study abroad experiences.

Administration of the Program  MDP graduates will receive a certificate for program completion.

2[Type text] [Type text] [Type text] Merchant Development Program Application

First and Last Name

Major (Double majors list primary major first.) Current Mailing Address

Email Address

Phone Number

Application procedure:  Submit a completed application form and other required documents to Mrs. Laura Storm, the Merchant Development Program Coordinator, in Chilton 355F.  The application process is ongoing and your documents will be reviewed once they have been received. You will be notified by the MDP coordinator regarding admission into the program.

Attach the following documents to this application:

 Darwin Report with the following information highlighted: o Each of the pre-major courses required by your degree plan o Cumulative GPA  Copy of your advising plan demonstrating that you have worked with your advisor to plan when you will take the courses required in the Merchant Development Program.  Documentation that shows you have worked a minimum of 300 hours in retail. This documentation should include the following: o Copies of Paystubs that show dates and hours worked (please mark out your social security number) o Copies of the Work Experience Verification letter from past and/or current employers (must be completed by the employer on their company letterhead) to further support your previous retail work experience.  Essay (300-500 words) explaining your career goals and why you should be selected for the program.