Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Retail Management Diploma


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Retail organizations are constantly recruiting individuals with training in the areas of retailing, sales, store management and customer relations. Retailing provides a dynamic and exciting work environment that rewards high performance with rapid job promotions and pay increases to match.

Retailing is a growth industry with an almost endless number of career opportunities available to graduates of the program. Past graduates are now in careers that include store managers; department managers; visual merchandisers; chain store supervisors; professional sales of automotive, home improvement, and computer products; and owners of their own businesses.

Personal, professional and leadership development is provided through lectures, study tours, labs and speakers.

Students completing the Retailing program can transfer credits into any of DMACC’s two-year Marketing or Management programs.

For more information about the Retailing program, please visit our website at www.dmacc.edu/programs/marketing.

Program Details


Location: Ankeny


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students may start any semester


Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Satisfy the assessment requirement.
  3. Attend any required information/registration session.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Retail Management diploma, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 1


Required Course(s)


Semester 2


Required Course(s)


Option 3 - Select 1 Course


Option 4 - Select 1 Course


Semester 3


Total Credits Required to Complete this Diploma - 42*


*Total credits are calculated using the least number of credits needed to satisfy the option requirements.

Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Books (approx) 600-900 500-750 300-450
Study Tours 150 0 300

Students can expect to spend $100 - $150 per course on textbooks. Costs can be reduced by renting textbooks or buying e-texts.

Approximate total for program: $8,192-8,892**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


  • Manage a store or a department.
  • Conduct store meetings for employees.
  • Assist in interpreting customer needs and buying store merchandise from vendors.
  • Plan and execute promotional displays.
  • Schedule and supervise other employees.
  • Sell to customers.
  • Be responsible for the physical appearance and condition of a store.
  • Provide customer service to build repeat business.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • Maintain good working relations with customers, fellow workers, and store management; a team effort is required.
  • Apply creative thinking to merchandise and selling responsibilities.
  • Apply artistic abilities to the development of displays and other sales promotion ideas.
  • Communicate effectively, both verbally and nonverbally.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • The opportunity to work with many people.
  • You may be required to work evenings and weekends.
  • Commissions and bonuses supplement starting salary.
  • Opportunity to start your own retail business.
  • Retailing is the best experience there is for any business career.
  • Retailing opportunities exist throughout the United States.
  • Rapid advancement and salary increases are usually available for people who succeed.
  • Success is quickly realized by high sales figures.
  • Can transfer all credits into DMACC Marketing program, with the option of transferring to a four-year degree.
  • Average salary for frontline retail supervisors according to the US Department of Labor is $41,450.

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2017)

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