Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Retailing and Consumer Science, B.S.


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College of Technology  > Department of Human Development and Consumer Sciences  > Retailing and Consumer Science, B.S.

Retailing and Consumer Science is designed to develop professionals who can integrate knowledge of consumers and merchandising processes and apply that knowledge to a broad spectrum of problems facing individual consumers, families, service agencies, and retail marketers of products and services. Retailing and Consumer Science focuses on analyzing the consumer as a social and economic unit of society and on the process of merchandising products to consumers.

Professional development in this program includes trend analysis, selling, merchandising experience, internship, self-assessment, professional goal setting, understanding owning and operating a small business, networking and portfolio development. Processes of retail marketing and consumer affairs are emphasized.

Graduates will:

  • Apply retail management techniques and principles to the buying and selling of products and services: includes brick & mortar, e-Commerce, and other sites.
  • Have the option to enhance their professional development through the Electronic Retailing and Consumer Science (online) courses (E-RCS), allowing students to earn income while acquiring skills from remote locations.
  • Demonstrate the relationship between consumers and businesses through employment in the fields of retail marketing, fashion, sales, buying, public relations, and education.
  • Display global technology expertise required for the retailing professional in today’s marketplace.

Students pursuing the Retailing and Consumer Science degree must complete the following requirements in addition to the university core requirements and general college requirements.

Retailing and Consumer Science


University Core (Texas Common Course Number)


Core Communication (6 semester hours)


Core Mathematics (6 semester hours)


  • Core Mathematics - this program has specified math (see below)
  • Core Math/Reasoning (IDO) - this program has specified math (see below)

Core American History (6 semester hours)


Core Government/Political Science (6 semester hours)


Core Language, Philosophy & Culture (3 semester hours)


Core Creative Arts (3 semester hours)


Core Life & Physical Sciences (6 semester hours)


Core Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 semester hours)


Core Writing in the Disciplines (IDO) (3 semester hours)


  • Core Writing in the Disciplines - this program has specified WID (see below)

Undergraduate Bachelor of Science Requirement


  • 6 semester hours MATH courses
  • 6 semester hours Formal Science
Courses required for program that also fulfill core categories:

Mathematics and BS Special Requirements:

Writing in the Disciplines

Program Requirements:


Computer Literacy


Retailing and Consumer Science Major


Professional Studies Area of Specialization:


Choose one (1) 15 hour specialization or elective block from those listed below (15 SH)

Retailing and Consumer Science Electives (select 15 semester hours)


Professional Studies Specialization


Approved non-RCS content course work (15 semester hours)

See academic advisor for approval of a 15 hour content block in field other than Retailing and Consumer Science

Students must have minimum 2.00 in major.


Major GPA will be calculated based on major requirements and professional studies area or minor.

Electives: 12 SH minimum (or minor)


Electives or minor must be from approved technical area for students pursuing Technology Entrepreneurship specialization.

  • 2.00 minimum cumulative grade point average in courses attempted at the University of Houston.
  • 36 of credit hours must be advanced (junior or senior level).
  • Final residency - The last 30 semester hours to be applied toward a bachelor’s degree must be taken in residence at UH
  • 9 advanced credit hours in department of major in residence at UH
  • 120 hours required for this degree
  • Limit 66 credit hours of lower-level (1000 and 2000 level) transfer credit toward an undergraduate degree at the University of Houston.
  • Students may use no more than two semester hours in physical education activity courses.
  • Students must satisfy TSI to graduate.

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