Welcome to Retailing and Consumer Sciences!
Are you interested in the retail industry? Retailing and Consumer Sciences (RCSC) 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 reputation for excellence and its proven track record for career placement of its graduates.
To advance into the major, you will apply for competitive admission to the professional phase of the RCSC program during your sophomore year. Acceptance into this phase of your undergraduate training signifies that you have mastered the basic foundations and are prepared to tackle the upper division courses! Please note, however, that the Retailing and Consumer Sciences division does not offer a minor in RCSC and does not participate in the Interdisciplinary Studies concentration.
Career Opportunities for Retailing and Consumer Science graduates include:
Retail Technology
Store Manager
Visual Merchandiser
Promotions Director
Entrepreneur
Product Developer
Buyer
Category Manager
Fashion Forecaster
HR Manager
Market Researcher
Brand Manager
Merchandising Analyst
High School Students and Incoming Freshman
If you are currenly a high school student interested in the University of Arizona, consider the Retailing and Consumer Sciences major! See our video on the opportunities for RCSC majors and take a look at the University of Arizona information for prospective high school students and incoming freshman. Stop by the Family and Consumer Sciences building (map) Room 123 and visit the division and speak to an advisor. You may also wish to consult our Undergraduate Program Requirements Checklist (PDF), to see what courses are required for the degree.
There are a number of clubs and organizations for undergraduate RCSC majors, including the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing Student Advisory Board Ambassadors, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Future Retail Leaders Association (FLRA), and job opportunites at The "A" Store, a retail outlet in Tucson Mall where retailing and SIFE tudents are responsible for staffing, merchandising, product development, sales and store design. They receive academic credit through independent studies for their efforts, as well as get paid.
Still in high school? Prepare yourself for this degree by taking courses in math, consumer sciences, and subjects that provide exposure to business-oriented topics such as marketing, accounting, economics, and vocational education.
Transfer Students from a Community College or other College or University
If you are a transfer student coming to the University of Arizona, please see our checklist for incoming transfer students. The Retailing and Consumer Sciences division welcomes transfers from other colleges, universities, and community colleges and will work with you to make sure that once admitted to the University of Arizona, you are able to meet the requirements for majoring in Retailing and Consumer Sciences. You may also wish to consult our Undergraduate Program Requirements Checklist (PDF), to see what courses are required for the degree.
Change Majors into RCSC!
If you decide that you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate major in RCSC, please call 621-1295 or go to our online advising website. Students interested in applying to our graduate programs should contact our Graduate Secretary at 621-1295 for further information and materials. You may also wish to consult our Undergraduate Program Requirements Checklist (PDF), to see what courses are required for the degree.
Watch a short video on the Retailing and Consumer Sciences Division program, or download our "Make Your Business Retailing" Brochure.
University of Arizona Admissions
Visit the University of Arizona Campus
Career Opportunities
Scholarships
Internship Program
Advising
RCSC Courses
Undergraduate Program Requirements Checklist (PDF)
Professional Program
Information for Transfer Students
Undergraduate Program Details
Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing
Student Advisory Board Ambassadors
Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE)
CreditWise CATS
Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research