Online Retail Management Degrees
The retail industry is far reaching, meaning graduates may discover career opportunities in a range of sectors within this broad industry. Retail management graduates can work as managers or buyers for large retail chains, owners of specialty boutiques or shops, or customer service representatives for retailers across the globe.
Available Degree Levels
- Career Diploma: Varies
- Certificate: One to two years to complete
- Associate Degree: Two years to complete
- Bachelor’s Degree: Four years to complete
- Master’s Degree: One to two years to complete
- Doctoral Degree: Three to five years to complete
Online career diplomas in retail management introduce students to the basics of the retail industry. Coursework typically focuses on customer service and relations, store management, human resources management, and retailing and consumer behavior. Graduates of a diploma program may be equipped with basic retail management skills, benefiting them in a range of career options.
Retail management certificate programs supplement careers in retail, developing students’ analytical and problem-solving abilities. Students may learn about industry requirements and take courses on topics such as store operations management and retail management strategies. Many of these certificate programs are designed for students who are already working in retail but desire an academic supplement to their professional experience.
A two-year associate degree in retail management introduces students to the functional areas of retail management. These programs include courses in a wide range of subjects, including marketing, finance/accounting, merchandising, and e-commerce. Associate-level programs typically give aspiring retail managers the tools they need to succeed professionally.
Online bachelor’s degrees in retail management combine academic study with real world experiences. In addition to coursework in principles of retailing, entrepreneurship, consumer behavior, and merchandise planning, many programs include an internship that allows students to gain hands-on experience in retail. These programs are ideal for students who desire a traditional four-year degree with aspirations to work in retail.
Master’s programs in retail management combine a traditional education with a research-based curriculum, providing students advanced knowledge in the field. Students may take courses such as facilities management, retail buying and control, and event management. These programs are designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in retail management or similar field.
A doctoral degree in retail management blends research, professional development, and industry partnerships, providing students a wealth of experience in the field with this terminal degree. Coursework in areas such as marketing research, statistics, and consumer behavior prepare students to compose a research-based dissertation on their topic of choice in the field. These programs are designed for students who hold bachelor’s or master’s degrees in retail or business and may prepare them for high-level management positions in retail.
Career Options
Graduates of retail management programs accrue knowledge in several areas within the retail industry, including customer service, consumer behavior, merchandise planning, and entrepreneurship. These skills open retail management graduates up to several career possibilities, including owner of a start-up retail store, customer service representative, or a buyer or purchasing manager for a large retail organization.
Possible career fields include:
- Retail Manager
- Purchasing Manager
- Buyer
- Retail Salesperson
- Customer Service Representative