Leslie Lynch, a 2005 double major in e-merchandising and merchandising, is an assistant Internet planner for Ogilvy & Mather Advertising in New York.

E-merchandising is a growth industry with exciting career opportunities. With a proliferation of virtual retailing websites, companies are seeking professionals who understand merchandising issues in a traditional and virtual format. The emerging trend of expanding businesses from the Internet to
Internet-enabled portable devices further creates career opportunities for graduates who are equipped with the knowledge and practical skills of e-merchandising.

The e-merchandising program is an interdisciplinary degree designed to develop competencies in merchandising processes, consumer segments, design architecture, analytic skills, and computer skills. 

The competencies are fulfilled through coursework in the fields of e-merchandising, merchandising, business, computer education and cognitive systems, and journalism.

Merchandising faculty members work closely with Dallas-Fort Worth industry executives to ensure the UNT program meets the evolving needs of this fast-paced field. The J.C. Penney lecture series brings top level executives to campus and area experts are frequent guest lecturers in classrooms. In addition, professional development events, such as the Merchandising Expo, bring recruiters from major companies to highlight career opportunities.

The classroom is extended beyond the Denton campus when students enroll in academic courses to study the New York or Dallas market centers. Study abroad programs in Hong Kong and China offer a unique three-week living and learning experience.

Students in e-merchandising also have the opportunity to participate in Merchandising Inc., an organization that helps students establish industry contacts and enhances their professional development.

To recognize students’ scholastic achievements, scholarships are available to UNT e-merchandising majors. They are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, articulation of professional goals, and, for some scholarships, financial need.