Marketing

Overview

Want to launch or accelerate your marketing career?

The Masters in Marketing (MSMKTG) at the Kogod School of Business gives a competitive edge to students seeking careers in marketing. It provides an understanding of marketing tools and concepts that prepares graduates to stand out from their peers, make significant contributions from their first day on the job, and accelerate their advancement.

With countless branding and market research opportunities near our Washington, DC campus, you'll experience corporate marketing first-hand and make yourself marketable to employers. You'll complete a live client project, visit industry sites, and study numerous marketing specializations — all under the guidance of seasoned and skilled faculty.

Get the real-world experience you need

The applied client project is the highlight of the program and guaranteed to give you real-world experience.

You'll work with RedPeg Marketing, a local events marketing firm, to lead a full-scale campaign, including market research, strategic planning, creative implementation, and the evaluation of campaign results.

The project includes regular meetings with RedPeg, and the MSMKTG program director, providing you with professional mentorship each step of the way. The applied client project culminates with a final presentation at RedPeg's headquarters, offering you the chance to flex your presentation skills in front of real-world professionals.

Get The Experience That Matters

Site visits and professional speakers are also a core part of the MSMKTG program's curriculum.

You'll gain a broad overview of the field by visiting 8-10 different marketing companies, including advertising agencies, digital marketing, and social media firms, and event marketing organizations.

Guest speakers offer students valuable professional insight and networking opportunities. Past speakers include marketing leaders from Uber, Google, and Rocket Fuel.

Dennis Sgouros, MS Marketing student, is passionate about the experience he’s gotten in the program. “We’re doing a proper marketing project with a proper client: the Smithsonian. It doesn’t get much cooler than that,” he says.

Course Requirements

Introduction (3 credit hours)

• MKTG-632 Understanding the Marketplace and Consumer  (3)

Core (15 credit hours)

• MKTG-641 Digital Advertising and Search Engine Marketing  (1.5)
• MKTG-642 Managing Digital Brand Identities  (1.5)
• MKTG-655 Entertainment Marketing  (1.5)
• MKTG-661 Data-Driven Marketing and Customer Management  (3)
• MKTG-763 Overview of Integrated Marketing Communications  (1.5)
• MKTG-765 Brand Strategy  (3)
• MKTG-767 Research for Marketing Decisions  (3)

Capstone (6 credit hours)

• MKTG-688 Applied Client Project  (3) (6 credit hours required)

Electives (6 credit hours)

Complete 6 credit hours from the following:

• MKTG-541 Sports Marketing Management  (3)
• MKTG-551 Marketing for Social Change  (3)
• MKTG-671 New Product Management  (3)
• MKTG-696 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring  (1-6)

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor's/master's programs. Advanced undergraduates admitted to a combined degree program that includes a master's degree from Kogod are eligible to take graduate-level courses and may apply up to 9 graduate credit hours earned as an undergraduate toward the requirements for both degrees.

Admission

The application for admission to all Kogod graduate degree programs and graduate certificate programs is only available online. To begin the application process, please create an account along with a username and password. These credentials will provide access to your online application along with a personalized information page throughout the admissions process.

As you complete your application, we recommend saving changes on each page as you work. Once you submit your application, your responses will remain final, but you can still access your personalized information page to check on missing items.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, your completed application as well as all required documents and test scores should be on file in the Kogod Graduate Admissions Office by the dates outlined below.

When a decision is made, you will receive an email notifying you that a decision is available. Your decision letter will be available through your personalized information page.

Steps to apply

• Create Your Application Profile
• Submit Your Application & Pay Application Fees
• Submit Supporting Documents
• Receive Confirmation Your Application is Complete
• Complete your Admissions Interview (if applicable)

Requirements

• Work Experience
• Current Resume
• Statement of Purpose Essay
• Letter of Recommendation
• Transcripts
• GMAT/GRE Score (optional)
• Interview (by invitation only)
• Application Fee & Enrollment Deposit

Language Requirements

Applicants whose native language is not English and who do not meet the English Proficiency Test Waiver requirements outlined below must demonstrate English language proficiency through completion of one of the following exams within the last two years. 

• TOEFLA minimum required score of 100 or higher is required for the internet-based test (IBT)Submit official scores to code 5007 through the testing center. Unofficial test scores may be uploaded into the supplemental items section of the application and used to make an application decision, but the official score report is required before the start of the academic term.
• IELTSA minimum score of 7 or higher is required. Unofficial test scores may be uploaded into the supplemental items section of the application and used to make an application decision, but the official score report is required before the start of the academic term.Official scores must be submitted by having the testing center mail the scores using one of the mailing methods below. 
• DuolingoA minimum score of 120 or higher is required for the internet-based test (IBT).Official scores must be submitted through the Duolingo website. Unofficial test scores may be uploaded into the supplemental items section of the application and used to make an application decision, but the official score report is required before the start of the academic term.

“What makes our program unique isn’t our focus on experiential learning, but how we deliver it,” Clayton, MS Marketing program director, says. “Partnering with RedPeg Marketing, a local events marketing firm, allows students to interact with a real-life client, giving them the hands-on experience they need.”

The Kogod Office of Career Engagement

The Office of Career Engagement empowers students and alumni to build meaningful relationships and careers. We provide the guidance, skills, and networking opportunities to turn aspirations into meaningful outcomes.

Students receive one-on-one guidance on relationship building, transitioning to new business jobs, crafting their resumes, and utilizing social media in their job searches. We also partner with employers to connect them with students and alumni who align with their professional needs.

The Office of Career Engagement helps build the path from a passion for success, helping students, alumni, and employers make informed and intentional career decisions. 

Job searchInternshipsOther resources

• AU Job and Internship Fair
• Handshake
• NACE Salary Calculator
• Participating Employers
• Events
• On-Campus Employment for Students

• Postings for Graduate Students
• Postings for Undergraduate Students

• Business Cards
• Online Toolkit

Updates

The Kogod Office of Career Engagement will continue to support our students’ career development while maintaining their safety and well-being by moving our services online. To best provide access to our services and resources over the next few weeks, we will implement the following changes:

• All career advising appointments will be conducted virtually. Handshake appointment confirmations will contain a Zoom link for your meeting. If you have difficulty locating the Zoom link or scheduling an appointment, contact kogodcareers@american.edu for assistance.
• We are moving upcoming workshops online and will update the event details in Handshake accordingly.
• Our Employer Relations team continues to work with employers recruiting Kogod students. Handshake will be regularly updated with available job and internship opportunities, and we will continue to host information sessions, panels, and other recruiting-related events virtually.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through this together. Please check Handshake frequently for updates on programming and opportunities. We encourage students to continue submitting applications and expanding and engaging their professional networks. If you need help adapting your career strategy or have any other questions or concerns, please email kogodcareers@american.edu or schedule an appointment on Handshake.

Financial Aid

An AU education is affordable.

80%

of incoming students receive aid.

$100M

in financial aid awarded to undergraduates per year.

24

dedicated financial aid staff members. All incoming freshmen are assigned an individual counselor.

Need-Based Aid

Awards go to students with demonstrated financial need.

AU determines your need based on the information you provide on the required financial aid applications.

Merit-Based Aid (Scholarships)

All students who apply to AU are considered for most merit awards, including Deans' and Presidential, on the basis of their admissions application.

Student Employment

Income from work-study jobs is to be used exclusively for educational purposes. Award amounts vary; hourly wages are determined by the employer and job category.

Applying for Financial Aid

Forms to Complete

• Apply to AU
• Complete the FAFSA
• Complete the CSS Profile

What you will need

• Financial Aid School Codes (FAFSA 001434 and CSS Profile 5007)
• Parent and Student Federal Student Aid Identification
• Parent and Student Social Security Numbers
• Federal Tax Forms to include W2s, 1099, etc.
• Non-Custodial Parent Contact Information

"Students learn much more applying theory to practice".

Professor Sonya Grier | Department of Marketing