COURSE CURRICULUM

A Furnishings and Décor Merchandising degree prepares graduates for a wide range of careers across the home furnishings and interior product industry, focusing on how decorative and functional products are developed, marketed, and sold. Students can pursue roles in product development and design for furnishings and décor products, working directly with companies that create furniture, textiles, and decorative accessories used in residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces. Career opportunities also exist with home accent and decorative accessory companies, as well as with home builders and home center retailers that supply products for interior environments. Graduates are well-prepared for positions in digital retailing and e-commerce, where furnishings and décor products are marketed and sold through online platforms, as well as in traditional furniture retailing, retail buying, and merchandise planning for home décor lines. Many also work closely with manufacturers and wholesalers of furniture and accessories, contributing to production, distribution, and product strategy. Additional career paths include roles in showrooms and wholesale market centers, where professionals help present and sell products to retailers and designers, as well as in visual merchandising, where they create attractive displays that influence consumer purchasing decisions. Some graduates enter specialized fields such as kitchen and bath design firms, where they contribute to planning and selecting materials and products for interior spaces. The degree also opens doors to many other related opportunities in the broader home furnishings industry. Coursework in the program includes subjects such as Managing a Diverse Workforce, Historic and Contemporary Styles of Home Furnishings, Drawing and Planning for Home Furnishings, Effective Leadership Communication, Global Discovery Europe, and Creating Consumer Experiences. These courses help students develop leadership, communication, design understanding, and global awareness while preparing them to succeed in the creative, commercial, and international aspects of the furnishings and décor industry.