Joohyung Park, Ph.D.
Master of Retail Innovation Program Director
Associate Professor
Department of Retailing
Earn your master’s degree in the business of retail from the University of South Carolina. The new Master of Retail Innovation graduate degree program prepares graduates to advance their careers and lead the retail industry.
Our Master of Retail Innovation graduate degree provides advanced knowledge in three core areas: strategic leadership, emerging retail technologies, and data analytics. Our specialized curriculum includes a solid foundation in business management and in-depth analysis of the industry's driving forces, including ESG, retail disruption, and consumer insights in the age of digital transformation.
The Master of Retail Innovation graduate degree includes impactful courses in leadership, finance, retail law related to entrepreneurship and e-commerce, retail logistics, research and statistical methods, category management, and social media and data analytics.
The Master of Retail Innovation curriculum consists of 30~33 semester hours. Choose from professional, professional with directed study, and thesis (research) tracks.
The professional track consists of 30 credit hours of required courses and a comprehensive written exam.
The professional track with directed study consists of 27 credit hours of required courses, a comprehensive written exam and a directed study work experience. The work experience requirement (three~six credit hours of RETL 798) must include participation in management decision-making in the retail and service-oriented industries.
Note: The directed study must be declared by the student by the end of first semester and approved by the graduate director/department chair.
The thesis track includes 27 credit hours of required courses and six thesis credit hours (RETL 799). Students must successfully defend their thesis at the end of the program.
To view specific course requirements for each track, please visit the Academic Bulletin.
Note: International student deadlines are one month earlier.
Students enrolling for the fall semester can choose the professional, professional with directed study, or thesis tracks. Spring semester enrollees can only choose the professional track.
All applicants for the Master of Retail Innovation program must apply through the Graduate School. Prospective students should complete the main application form and pay the $50 application fee online. In addition, applicants must send all supporting material directly to the Graduate School.
Applications will be evaluated using a combination of academic and professional factors. We recommend gathering the required supporting documents and contact information for those who will be writing letters of recommendation prior to beginning the application process. The following supporting material is required with the application:
The Department of Retailing may offer financial aid to degree-seeking students. To apply for financial aid, simply indicate "yes" when asked if you desire to be considered for financial aid during the online application process. Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to learn more about other potential aid sources.
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Master of Retail Innovation Program Director
Associate Professor
Department of Retailing