Department of Marketing and Merchandising

W. Smith, Chair
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.4627

H. Atwood, B. Burgess, L. Flynn, J. Foster, F. Gilbert, L. Hopkins, B. LaFleur, M. McLelland, J. Tran, M. Wolf, G. Yaoyuneyong

Marketing

Marketing is a major concern of all businesses and many other organizations. The goals of the marketing program are to (1) prepare students for entry-level positions in marketing; (2) provide the background necessary to advance to higher-level marketing management positions; and (3) develop executive skills that are critical for success in all business occupations. It is necessary, therefore, that the student cultivate the abilities to (1) think creatively; (2) solve problems; (3) communicate orally and in writing and (4) understand interpersonal relations.

Since providing value is the critical success factor in the global economy, marketing majors are positioned to add value to the firms for which they work. Some of the career options presented by these opportunities include advertising, sales, retailing, purchasing, marketing research, public relations, product management, supply chain management, services marketing and nonprofit marketing. Graduates have had particular success in locating jobs in pharmaceutical, consumer products and professional services industries. Since more than half of all American workers are employed in marketing-related fields, the marketing major can target numerous career choices in the commercial/industrial, institutional and government sectors. In addition, a marketing degree is excellent preparation for entrepreneurship and small business management.

Healthcare Marketing

The University of Southern Mississippi offers the only program in the state, and one of few programs in the country, that prepares undergraduates for careers in healthcare sales and marketing. The healthcare marketing major provides students with a healthy blend of skills in marketing, sales, customer relations and communication, scientific knowledge, creativity and innovation. From the basics of business and health-related concepts to more in-depth study of product knowledge and progressive sales and marketing strategies, the healthcare marketing program prepares Southern Miss students to be competive in the industry.

The healthcare industry is highly diverse and includes thousands of companies related to durable medical equipment, non-durable medical products, facilities construction, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, hospital care, physician and clinical services, research, health insurance, nursing home care, home health care, dental services and others. For many of these organizations, competition continues to intensify; therefore, the need to effectively market and sell their goods and services is increasing.

Merchandising

The curriculum in merchandising provides students with skills needed to pursue careers in the production, marketing and merchandising of textile, apparel and related products. Course requirements cover the organization and operation of the fashion industry, the production and distribution of merchandise, product information and merchandise characteristics. As circumstances and interests warrant, students may take courses that include travel to major market centers such as Dallas and New York.

Many graduates in the program select career paths in merchandising, such as merchandise buyers, store operations managers, special events coordinators, personal shoppers, visual merchandising managers and private label coordinators. Other career options include, but are not limited to, jobs in apparel production, sales representatives, quality analysts and production managers.

Computer Requirements

All business majors are required to own a laptop computer. Computer specifications are available on COB website at www.usm.edu/business and in the Undergraduate Service Office (Scianna Hall room 2035). For Marketing minors, Merchandising minors and certificate in Professional Selling students, please contact the department.

Certificate in Professional Selling

Leading-edge Marketing departments in colleges of business across the country are increasingly developing strong professional selling programs. This enhamced emphasis on professional selling is supported by academics and practitioners for many reasons. One is there is a very high demand for salespeople with a college education. Increasingly companies provide financial support to sales programs while others specifically hire from universities with sales programs. Secondly, there is a great need for professional sales education. Students with a foundation in business, marketing, and sales have an advantage over their peers in the job market.

To meet the increasing demand for specifically educated professional sales personnel, the Department of Marketing and Merchandising at The University of Southern Mississippi offers an Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Selling.

Programs

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Non-degree

Certificate