May 15, 2023
Next Start Date
10
Courses Required
$820
Cost Per Credit Hour
30
Total Credit Hours
Online Asynchronous
Learning Formats
The Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications is a flexible, ten-course program offered exclusively online. With more than 30 electives to choose from and specializations in areas like digital and social media and creative strategy, you can create your ideal educational experience. Plus, you have the option to customize your schedule to finish in as quickly as one year or take as long as you need.
Completely online. Completely flexible.
You need 10 courses (that’s 30 credits) to earn your Master of Science in
IMC. But, how, where and when you do it is completely up to you. There are
zero in-person commitments. Schedule multiple courses at a time to finish
quickly, or spread them out to balance school with work and family. Need
to take a semester off for a big work project or a new baby? No problem!
It's your degree, on your time.
Customizable.
There are more than 25 electives to choose from. What’s your passion? What
do you need to fill a void at your company? Be the expert in digital and
social media, or creativity, or healthcare with our specializations. Take
courses in diversity, sports marketing or entrepreneurship for course electives.
The options are constantly expanding to keep up with industry demands.
Practitioner faculty.
Our faculty are the best in the industry. They are professionals from the
nation’s capital, the Big Apple and Silicon Valley. They take their daily
professional life and bring the real IMC world into your virtual classroom.
They’re more than instructors – they’re mentors, and well-connected members
of your new network.
Unbeatable value.
At WVU, you get a lot of bang for your buck — a world-class program taught
by leading experts. Tuition is the same regardless of where you live, and
the flexible programming allows you to take courses at a pace your budget
and calendar can handle. As with any investment, the question is - what’s
the return? In a recent survey of our graduates, 41% have received more than
25% salary increases since earning their IMC degree. Now that’s ROI.
Fill a marketing void at your company, hone skills to prepare for a promotion, or pursue a topic that you are passionate about with the fully online M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications.
Attend a Virtual Information Session
Thank you for your interest in the Integrated Marketing Communications M.S. program at West Virginia University! Attend a Virtual Information Session and learn more about the Integrated Marketing Communications M.S. program.
Admission to the Integrated Marketing Communications program is based on a holistic, case-by-case analysis of the applicant’s WVU Graduate Application for Admission, academic record (undergraduate transcript), years of relevant professional experience (resume), and writing ability and intent (personal statement).
Admission to the IMC program occurs three times per year—in the Early Fall (August), Early Spring (January), and Summer (May). The IMC program admits new students on a rolling schedule. Applicants are encouraged to apply before the program’s priority/early application deadline in order to receive full consideration.
Early Fall (August): Early/Priority Admission: May 15; Admission
Deadline: August 1
Early Spring (January): Early/Priority Admission: October 1; Admission
Deadline: December 15
Summer (May): Early/Priority Admission: March 1; Admission Deadline:
May 1
Questions? Contact our Enrollment Specialist at wvuimc@mail.wvu.edu or (304) 293-6278.
WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
Students are encouraged to:
Integrated Marketing Communications M.S. total degree cost: $24,600 – Residents and Non-Residents
Credits | Cost |
---|---|
1 | $820 |
3 | $2,460 |
6 | $4,920 |
9 | $7,380 |
Minimum GPA of 2.75 required.
Minimum grade of C- required in all courses.
Core Courses
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
IMC 610 | Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications * | 3 |
IMC 611 | Marketing Research and Analysis | 3 |
IMC 612 | Audience Insight | 3 |
IMC 613 | Brand Equity Management | 3 |
Complete a minimum of two of the following **
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
IMC 615 | Creative Strategy and Execution | 3 |
IMC 616 | Direct & Digital Marketing | 3 |
IMC 618 | Public Relations Concepts and Strategy | 3 |
IMC 619 | Emerging Media and the Market | 3 |
IMC Elective Courses
Select at least three IMC courses 600-level and above.
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
IMC 636 | Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns *** | 3 |
Total Hours: 30
* Students complete the IMC 610 course in their first term in the program. Following successful completion of IMC 610, students are able to take courses in virtually any order, ensuring a fully customized path of study.
** IMC students are often admitted to the program with substantial work experience and are able to opt out of the core course that is most reflective of their professional experience. Specifically, PR practitioners are encouraged to opt out of IMC 618, direct marketers are encouraged to opt out of IMC 616, and creative/graphic designers are encouraged to opt out of IMC 615. All students must complete at least two of these courses.
*** IMC students are able to take more than 30 credit hours if their personal and/or professional interests require (including additional elective courses or opting to complete all the core courses to ensure a comprehensive graduate experience). However, all additional courses taken must be completed before the student registers for the capstone course (IMC 636).
Upon successful completion of IMC 636 in the student's final term, the student will graduate from the program.
The IMC program is offered exclusively online with no on-campus classroom attendance required. The program is constantly evolving to reflect our changing industry and ensure a relevant, highly customizable graduate experience for students. At the center of the curriculum are an introductory course and three core courses, which provide all students with a solid marketing communications foundation. The degree is enhanced by selecting two of four "specialty" course options and three of nearly 30 elective course options. Through the extensive specialty and elective courses, students are able to focus their graduate studies on their individual areas of interest or to position them for a specific career path. The capstone course is taken in the student's final term. In this final course, students apply their knowledge to create an IMC campaign for a real-world client. They can choose to work on a client of their preference or on a national client provided by the instructor.
IMC instructors are recognized leaders in their fields. These scholar-practitioners provide a carefully balanced blend of academic theory and practical skills. They teach our “learn-it-today, use-it-tomorrow” curriculum, which provides valuable, practical knowledge that can be immediately applied to a student's current career. All IMC courses are asynchronous, allowing students to participate at any time, from anywhere in the world. While no on-campus residency is required to complete the degree, the program hosts an annual Integrate conference to provide students and faculty an opportunity to network in-person and explore the latest innovations in the ever-changing IMC landscape. Learn more about the program's Integrate Conference.
Talented individuals who possess the ability to conceptualize, implement, and monitor multi-channel marketing campaigns are in high demand by companies. These companies require effective communicators who can enhance their brand's visibility through various social media and other media platforms. These individuals must also possess an understanding of their audience and have the skills to target them with campaigns that generate a significant return on investment.
Download our viewbook to explore all of our online degree options.
The field of integrated marketing communication is highly sought-after and financially rewarding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2021 to 2031, the employment rate for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers is expected to grow at a faster pace than the average for all professions, with a projected increase of 10 percent.