MA in Strategic Marketing Communication
Emerson College
Key Information
Campus location
Boston, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 - 2 year
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 1,402 / per credit **
Application deadline
02 May 2024*
Earliest start date
05 Sep 2024
* Priority decision: March 1. Late application deadline: July 1.
** additional fees may apply. Scholarships are available
Introduction
3professional paths to focus on: Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, and Brand Strategy | 5+5Curriculum: Take 5 core marketing courses and 5 elective courses to customize your program to fit your professional goals | 40credit programs designed for working professionals, with classes offered in the evening |
Emerson’s Strategic Marketing Communication MA (SMC) prepares you for a career in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields, marketing, and communications. Our program is flexible and allows you to choose between three marketing focuses to build your Master's program around your career goals.
Our SMC program prepares you for a diverse range of careers in marketing and communications on both the agency side and the client side, giving you the unique opportunity to apply your marketing skills to any industry including technology, healthcare, entertainment, finance, education, and more.
Emerson’s Strategic Marketing Communication MA allows you to build the Master’s degree you want based on your career goals and personal interests. Choose to focus on Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, or Brand Strategy and learn the marketing foundations for success in any industry.
Program highlights include:
- 5+5 Curriculum structure that presents you with 5 foundational marketing-level courses, and 5 courses in the focus area of your choice: Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, or Brand Strategy
- Customizable program experience ensuring you learn the skills you need to fulfill professional and personal goals
- Full-time and part-time options available, with courses primarily offered in the evenings to allow you flexibility in your schedule
- No GRE requirements to apply
Faculty
Learn from award-winning academics and industry practitioners. Our diverse faculty offer unique insider perspectives, contributes new knowledge to the field, and are actively engaged in the content that they teach.
Alumni
Our alumni work for agencies, corporations, and even own their own businesses. They apply the skills learned in our program and approach any industry with confidence ranging from healthcare, finance, technology, and merchandise. You will gain access to exclusive networking opportunities with alumni through Emerson’s Alumni platform, Emerge.
Our alumni have gone on to work for companies such as:
- Philips
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- TikTok
- Dell
- Converse
- SimpsonScarborough
Admissions
Curriculum
Curriculum Requirements
Our 40-credit program is perfect for working professionals, allowing for maximum flexibility related to time and structure; students can complete the program in 1.5 to 2 years (full-time) or they can attend part-time. Courses are offered primarily in the evening, leaving time for students to participate in internship and networking opportunities.
5 + 5 Curriculum
5 core courses: You will learn the foundational skills for success in industry careers. From courses such as Marketing and Brand Management to Creative Thinking and Problem Solving, students learn industry principles and how strategy and creativity are interwoven to form a customer-centric strategic marketing plan and integrated marketing communication.
Required Core Courses
Number | Course | Credits |
MK 601 | Principles of Strategic Marketing Communication | 4 |
MK 610 | Marketing/Brand Management | 4 |
MK 636 | Creative Thinking and Problem Solving | 4 |
MK 669 | Behavioral Economics | 4 |
MK 668 | Professional Applied Experience in Strategic Marketing Communication | 4 |
5 electives: The elective courses in the program allow you to focus on a Professional Path in Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, or Brand Strategy with recommended courses, or pick-and-choose electives that best meet personal career goals or academic interests. These electives complete the 5 + 5 curriculum.
Professional Paths: Students can choose between crafting an individualized program of study that draws from electives that satisfy professional pursuits or academic interests, or one of the following Professional Paths with recommended electives, allowing expertise to be developed, focused and applied:
- Strategic Planning: Develop your skills and knowledge in planning and managing strategic marketing campaigns and communication initiatives from research through implementation and review.
- Digital Strategy: Prepare yourself for a career focused on digital marketing with recommended courses that build your skills and knowledge in the areas of digital design, analytics, and strategy.
- Brand Strategy: Focus your industry skill set and knowledge on branding and brand strategy, creating the stories and strategies that develop both intangible and tangible assets for recognized—and soon to be recognized—brands.
Professional Paths include, but are not limited to, the following recommended courses.
Note: Course offerings or availability are subject to change.
Professional Path: Strategic Planning
Number | Course | Credits |
MK 604 | Market Research and Account Planning | 4 |
MK 649 | Managing Investments in Marketing | 4 |
MK 650 | Market Planning: Customers, Companies, Collaborators | 4 |
MK 661 | Strategic Planning and Marketing Communication | 4 |
MK 667 | Integrated Strategy | 4 |
Professional Path: Digital Strategy
Number | Course | Credits |
MK 627 | Digital Marketing | 4 |
MK 651 | Descriptive Analytics and Predictive Models | 4 |
MK 662 | Content Marketing | 4 |
MK 640 | User Experience Design | 4 |
MK 620 | Civic Media Design Studio 1 | 4 |
Professional Path: Brand Strategy
Number | Course | Credits |
MK 604 | Market Research and Account Planning | 4 |
MK 621 | Creative Writing and Storytelling | 4 |
MK 630 | Advertising and Sales Promotion | 4 |
MK 663 | Design Strategies in Communication | 4 |
MK 665 | Global Cultures: Anthropology and Sociology | 4 |
Scholarships and Funding
Financial Aid
Emerson College is proud to offer students and families financial aid options and resources. For a full list of our financial aid offerings, visit our Financial Aid page.
Scholarships
Upon applying to an Emerson Graduate Program, the Graduate Admission team automatically reviews every accepted student’s scholarship eligibility. For more information about scholarships, please visit our Scholarships & Grants page.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Career Outlook
Marketing and Communications is projected to be one of the fastest-growing career paths in the next 10 years, with a median annual wage of $130,000 for manager-level positions as of 20201. Enjoy flexibility working in any industry including entertainment, technology, healthcare, education, and more.
Careers in Marketing and Communications:
- Marketing Manager
- Social Media Specialist
- Events Coordinator
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing
- Art Director
- Media Specialist
Student Testimonials
Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
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