Golden Gate University

ProGRAM Highlights

Leading organizations today are creating and managing their marketing communications in an integrated fashion, with coordination in terms of messages, positioning, and timing, all developed in support of overall organizational objectives. There is strong growth among agencies that deliver integrated solutions and among their client firms using those approaches. Our program will help the student prepare for a key role in such organizations.

A strong emphasis is placed on practical content in our courses. We make extensive use of real-world cases and utilize class discussion. Classes are highly participative and will help students develop their skills for working in a team-based, problem solving setting. Because classes are small, students get to know their classmates well, which enhances students' networks of colleagues. The team-based cooperative learning is emphasized equally in online courses as it is in on-campus classes.  The public relations concentration can be completed only in person, in San Francisco.  The general concentration can be completed in person and online.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the MS in Integrated Marketing Communications (general concentration), successful students will be able to:

• Obtain and apply insights into consumer behavior
• Develop a professional quality integrated marketing communications plan
• Write a comprehensive public relations plan
• Create a direct marketing plan using traditional and new direct marketing techniques
• Compile cost-effective marketing communications budgets
• Work effectively in teams

And be knowledgeable about:

• Marketing communications strategy and its implementation
• Identifying specific target markets for marketing communications
• Creating meaningful and credible messages for selected targets
• Effective use of sales promotions and sponsorships
• The role of personal selling and sales management
• Identifying and selecting cost-effective media and methods to reach selected targets including advertising, public relations, direct marketing, sales promotion, event marketing, cause sponsorship, personal selling, and new media.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The master of science degree in integrated marketing communications requires completion of 45 semester units in the foundation and advanced programs. Nine of those units are in the foundation program and can be satisfied at Golden Gate University, or through transfer credit from undergraduate or graduate courses completed at other accredited institutions. Students may be admitted to advanced program courses before completion of the entire foundation program, but must complete the foundation program by the time that 12 units have been earned in the advanced program. With the approval of the program director, students with sufficient backgrounds in the subjects covered by required courses may substitute other courses.

Graduate Writing Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to the master of science in integrated marketing communications degree program must meet the graduate writing proficiency requirement within the first nine units of the program by successfully passing the Graduate Writing Proficiency Exam or by completing ENGL 201 (formerly ENGL 301) Graduate Writing with a grade of B or better.

Math Proficiency Requirement
Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to Intermediate Algebra (MATH 20).

TUITION

Ageno School of Business Courses: $2,520 per 3-unit course

Tuition varies for other courses. See Tuition & Fees for details.

Locations

This program is offered at the following locations: San Francisco , Online .

Student Success rates

*Fall 2005 starters to illustrate their success over a 5 year period.

Foundation Program — 9 units

ACCTG 201

Accounting for Managers

ECON 1

Principles of Microeconomics

MATH 40

Statistics

Advanced Program — 36 units

Core Courses — 21 units

MKT 300

Marketing Management (to be taken as part of the first six units of the advanced program)

MGT 300

Managerial Analysis and Team Dynamics

MKT 305

Integrated Marketing Communications

MKT 308

Integrated Marketing Communications Strategy & Implementation (to be taken as part of the final nine units of the degree)

MKT 338

Consumer Behavior

MKT 339

Advertising Strategy

PR 320

Contemporary Public Relations

CONCENTRATION -- 15 units

Students choose either a General concentration or a Public Relations concentration.

General Integrated Marketing Communications Concentration — 15 units

A graduate degree concentration designed to give marketing students a wide exposure to the business of communication in marketing.

The field of integrated marketing communications is based largely on people-based marketing skills, including public relations. Our concentration teaches students the skills they need to pursue careers as account reps in Marketing/PR agencies; program/project managers in MarCom department; a publicist; a spokesperson; a social media strategist.

Public Relations Concentration — 15 units

A dynamic graduate degree concentration designed to prime Marketing students for a career in public relations.

The public relations field is grounded in the ability to produce attention-grabbing collateral, according to a client's specifications, in a speedy manner. Our public relations concentration teaches students the skills they need to either produce or oversee the production of PR materials that are as impressive to businesses as they are to consumers. The concentration equips students with tools in a variety of marketing and PR strategies to plan, design, and execute their ideas for business success.

Required Courses — 15 units

PR 330A

Writing for Public Relations and Marketing Communications

PR 332

Media Relations and the Professional Spokesperson

PR 334

Managing Public Issues Consumer Affairs and Government Relations

Plus any two 300-level courses with MKT or PR prefix.