DIRECTOR, GRADUATE PROGRAM
Wenjing Xie, Ph.D.
(845) 575-3000 x 3650
wenjing.xie@marist.edu

About the Program

The Master of Arts in Marketing Communication (MC) is a fully online, 30-credit hour graduate degree program that provides students with an interdisciplinary and cutting-edge educational experience. Students will take courses in the areas of advertising, public relations, brand management, strategic communication, and social media. Students will learn the fundamentals of marketing communication research, social media analytics, branding, public relations and advertising management, global consumer insights, social and digital marketing strategies, digital storytelling, and apply what they learn to real-world projects both in and outside of the classroom. Students take six core courses and four electives in one of three concentrations: health communication concentration, digital marketing communication concentration, and strategic leadership concentration. The Health Communication and Strategic Leadership concentrations draw on the existing online Master in Public Administration program in the School of Management.

At the end of this program students should be able to:

• Develop professional marketing communication campaign strategies using a variety of MARCOM tools that solve the business problem and capitalize on business opportunities
• Create messaging for diverse audiences that drives desired brand behavior
• Evaluate business problems to construct innovative and original solutions

Format

Full-Time Option-Students can complete the degree in as little as three semesters, including summer.

Part-Time Option-Students may take between two and three years, depending on the number of courses they take each semester.

Start dates are flexible, as students can choose to start in either a fall or spring semester. Fall and spring semesters have two rounds, each of eight-week duration. Courses are also offered in summer.

The application deadline both full-time and part-time students is August 1. Applications received after August 1 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Thesis/Comprehensive Exam

There is no thesis or comprehensive exam for the MA in MC. Instead, students will
take a Capstone class as their final class in the program.

Admission

Admission to the M.A. in MC is competitive and based on undergraduate performance, professional credentials and demonstrated interest in the MC field. The Admissions Committee is committed to looking at the entire application packet and will evaluate professional and academic qualifications holistically.
(NOTE: GRE and GMAT requirement can be waived by the program director)

• Applicants to the Master of Arts in MC must submit:
• a completed application for graduate admission;
• a $50 non-refundable application fee;
• official transcripts from all undergraduate (including two-year colleges) and graduate institutions including evidence of an earned BA or BS degree in Communication or a related field from an accredited college or university with a cumulative GPA of 3.0;
• a current résumé;
• a written statement of purpose.

NOTE: Marist graduate programs require a minimum of a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Also, if a student has taken graduate-level coursework at another college/university the student may apply for a transfer of credits. The application for transfer of credits will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Under no circumstances will more than 6 transfer credits be allowed.

Degree Conferral Requirements

To qualify for the Master of Arts in MC, a student must:

• complete a total of 30 credits as described in the curriculum.
• maintain at least 3.0 cumulative grade-point average with no course grade less than a C.

Student Advisement

The Director of the Graduate Communications Program is the advisor to students in the M.A. program. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor to discuss academic progress and planning.

Academic Standing

The maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 is required for good academic standing. Students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA after completion of one semester of full-time study or its equivalent. Any student whose GPA falls below that required for good standing, or who receives a letter grade of F, will be subject to academic review and may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. Students placed on probation will receive a statement of requirements necessary to achieve good standing and will be given a limited time period in which to meet these requirements. Failure to achieve probationary requirements will result in dismissal.