Master of Science (M.S.) Major in Merchandising and Consumer Studies (Non-thesis Option)

Program Overview

The Master of Science (M.S.) major in Merchandising and Consumer Studies will educate the next generation of product developers, retail and merchandising managers, as well as consumer studies professionals, who will make pivotal and transformative decisions vital to intelligent economic, social, and environmental resource management. Our goal is to prepare students with competencies that address current and future consumer-related employment needs of Texas. Building on the undergraduate foundation, the master’s level curriculum engages students in the analysis, critical thinking, and holistic problem solving needed to respond to the complexity and growth of consumer-centric systems.

Application Requirements

Application requirements consist of institutional and program requirements for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Additional information and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website.

Unless otherwise noted on The Graduate College program page, AI tools can only be used to correct spelling and grammar errors in application materials.

Institutional Requirements

Institutional requirements are the minimum standards for admission to any graduate program at Texas State. These include:

• Completed online application
• Nonrefundable application fee
  • Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
    • $55 fee, or
    • $90 for applications with international credentials
  • Post-Baccalaureate Programs (Certificate, Certification, Non-Degree, and Visiting)
    • $20 fee, or
    • $60 for applications with international credentials
• Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment. 
• GPA requirements (a higher GPA may be listed in the Program Requirements)
  • Doctoral programs require a 3.00 overall GPA or a 3.00 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
  • Master’s and Specialist programs require a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
  • Post-Baccalaureate programs require a 2.50 overall GPA or a 2.50 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)

Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list. Some programs may restrict acceptable tests or require higher scores than the institutional scores; this will be noted in the Program Requirements.

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall if taken on or before January 21, 2026
• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 4 overall if taken after January 21, 2026
• official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
• official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
• official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
• official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
• official Texas State Intensive English Program score of 90% or higher in the highest-level course (level 5)

The institution does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

• completed online application
• $55 nonrefundable application fee

         or

• $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
• baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
• official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
• minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
• official GRE (general test only) with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections or official GMAT with competitive scores
• resume/CV
• statement of purpose describing professional goals and rationale for pursuing graduate study
• two letters of recommendation

TOEFL or IELTS Scores

Non-native English speakers who do not qualify for an English proficiency waiver:

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
• official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
  • minimum individual module scores of 6.0

The student may qualify for English-based conditional admission the minimum scores below are met:

• official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 59 overall
• official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 5.5 overall and
  • minimum individual module scores of 5.5

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in Merchandising and Consumer Studies requires 36 semester credit hours.

Course Requirements

Comprehensive Examination Requirements

All candidates for graduate degrees must pass one or more comprehensive examinations.

Master's level courses in Family and Consumer Sciences: FCS

Courses Offered

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)