Master of Science in Marketing (MSMKT)

Master of Science in Marketing (MSMKT)

The USC Marshall Master of Science in Marketing Program (MSMKT) is designed to develop an in-depth knowledge of relevant and innovative marketing skills and techniques for prospective students interested in pursuing or enhancing their existing marketing careers.
The program provides tools, concepts, frameworks, critical thinking skills and practical hands-on projects in areas of interest that include entertainment, sports entertainment, luxury and lifestyle, technology, healthcare and marketing start-ups. This allows for more effective development, enhancement and refinement of marketing techniques that are so critical to the success of local and global businesses. Our personalized curriculum that boasts two different specialities sets the USC MS in Marketing Program apart from other MS in Marketing programs by capitalizing on the depth and breadth of course offerings at the Marshall School of Business and the University of Southern California.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

The program strives to ensure a student’s educational and career objectives are met by the time they graduate. One-on-one sessions are scheduled with the MS in Marketing Program Director to discuss students’ career goals so that the curriculum can be customized to develop and enhance the skills required to successfully pursue their areas of interest. Our students take classes with students in the Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA and other specialized master’s programs. This enhances our students’ classroom experience and allows them to learn from students of different backgrounds, nationalities, and interests. Students will also tie theory to the real world with engaging case studies, research, guest speakers, and projects.
The MS in Marketing Program (MSMKT) offers two programs of study: Analytics and Consumer Behavior. Students who are interested in quantitative, data-driven and marketing analytics job opportunities are encouraged to choose our STEM-certified Analytics Program. Students who are interested in the behavioral and creative aspects of marketing should select the Consumer Behavior Program. Please refer to the sample course plans below.
Students get access to a dedicated team of passionate career experts through the Marshall Graduate Career Services (GCS) Department. Students will be exposed to numerous professional development workshops, career simulations and one on one coaching to develop the right career development plan. With the guidance of the GCS team, each student will create a career plan and explore employment opportunities in the industries in which he or she wishes to thrive.
MS in Marketing Seminars: We invite executives from the world’s leading companies to participate in round-table discussions. A series of Masters of Marketing Seminars are scheduled each fall. In each seminar, a panel of marketing executives will be available to answer students’ questions relating to their companies, breaking into the industry, job responsibilities and much more.
Mentorship Program: Students have the opportunity to seek one-on-one mentorship with industry experts and dive deeper into the necessary skills and expertise required to succeed in the field of their interest. The program starts during the spring semester so that students are prepared to graduate with clear career goals and strategies.
Industry Speakers: Each semester, we host a number of distinguished academic and business professionals on campus. Our guest speakers regularly provide experienced-based wisdom and guidance for enrolled students, alumni, and the USC community at-large.
Students are required to take 33 units to graduate. The Master of Science in Marketing Program runs in as little as one year, or three semesters, for full-time students, beginning and ending in August. For full time working professionals who are domestic status, the program can be completed in as little as a two-year timeline. From consumer insights and new product development to the creation of successful marketing strategies and methods for long-term customer retention, the academic material prepares students for success in their chosen field(s).

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

The Master of Science in Marketing Program begins in late May each year. At this time, all students in the program are registered in three mandatory classes and are given a list of required courses for the Fall and Spring semesters. These core courses serve as a foundation and provide a rigorous grounding in marketing frameworks, concepts and strategies to prepare students for more advanced careers in marketing. These courses also allow students to explore essential subjects within the marketing discipline, a thorough understanding of which can help students stand out and excel in their future careers.

In order to meet the standards of STEM certification, students on the Analytics Track must complete 21 units of required courses, leaving 9 units (or three classes) of electives. These electives are offered by the Marketing Department (MKT) or Data Sciences and Operations (DSO) Department. More information about the Marketing Analytics track can be found in the Catalogue for MS Marketing Analytics.
Summer
- GSBA 528 - Marketing Management (Required)
- GSBA 542 - Communication for Management (Required)
- DSO 510 - Business Analytics (Required)
- MKT 556 - Internet Marketing also available in Spring (Required)
Fall
- GSBA 545 - Data Driven Decision Making (Required)
- MKT 512 or MKT 566 - Customer Insights and Analysis or Marketing Analytics (Core Elective)
- MKT 512, MKT 566, or Other - Customer Insights and Analysis, Marketing Analytics 6, or Core Elective (Core Elective or Elective)
- Elective Course
Spring
- MKT 560 - Marketing Strategy (Required)
- MKT 543, MKT 566, or Other - Market Demand and Sales Forecasting, Marketing Analytics, or Core Elective (Core Elective or Elective)
- Elective Course
Students on the Consumer Behavior Track must complete 19.5 units of required courses, leaving 10.5 units of electives. These electives can be any 500-level (courses below 500 will not count toward your degre) ACCT, BAEP, BUCO, DSO, FBE, GSBA, MKT or MOR course work to reach the total number of units required to complete the program. More information about the Consumer Behavior track can be found in the Catalogue for MS Marketing.
Required Courses (19.5 Units)
GSBA 528 Marketing Management Units: 3 *
GSBA 542 Communication for Management Units: 1.5 *
MKT 525 Consumer Behavior Units: 3
MKT 543 Market Demand and Sales Forecasting Units: 3
or
DSO 510 Business Analytics Units: 1.5, 3
MKT 556 Internet Marketing Units: 3
MKT 566 Decision Making Using Marketing Analytics Units: 3
MKT 560 Marketing Strategy Units: 3

* Must be taken in the first term/semester or prior to admission.

Electives
Complete at least 10.5 units of 500-level ACCT, BAEP, BUCO, DSO, FBE, GSBA, MKT or MOR course work to reach the total number of units required to complete the program. (Enrollment in electives is subject to satisfaction of any prerequisite requirements in addition to the units required for the degree.)
Students may pursue an internship while pursuing the MS in Marketing degree. Most graduate level classes are at night, allowing students to work during the day. U.S. citizens may pursue an internship immediately after the classes begin in the summer. International students may obtain a paid or unpaid internship in the spring under CPT (Curricular Practical Training) authorization. Internships may contribute to the units required for the degree provided that students register for MKT 595: Internship in Marketing.
Please note: F1 Visa students who begin the program on an initial attendance I-20s in Summer 2023 will not qualify for Curricular Practical Training in Spring 2024. F-1 students in this position may be able to recruit for unpaid internships if the company does not require CPT authorization, but paid internships will not be possible. This does not impact U.S. citizens or F-1 students who begin the program in active F-1 status from a prior degree.
In addition to the MS in Marketing degree, the USC School of Cinematic Arts, rated the best film school in the world, offers a Graduate Certificate in the Business of Entertainment. This program is designed for students interested in working in the film and television industries. Film and television industry firms primarily hire business graduates to work in finance, entertainment properties marketing, strategic planning, and information systems.

MS MKT SAMPLE CURRICULUM

DATES + DEADLINES

As a top-ranked four-year business school housed at a leading private research institution, a USC Marshall business degree allows extraordinary students to cement their own legendary futures.

Deadlines

	Deadline
Round 1	November 1, 2024
Round 2	January 15, 2025
Round 3	March 1, 2025
Round 4	April 15, 2025

International Applicants: We highly encourage you to apply for admission in Round 1 or 2, as we cannot guarantee an admission decision in Round 4 for international applicants due to visa and immigration matters.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Our MS in Marketing students come from many different backgrounds, but share a common goal of acquiring the advanced skills needed to enhance their current and future careers in marketing. In our ‘Student Perspectives’ profiles, we explore both current student and alumni perspectives on choosing to pursue a specialized Master’s degree at USC Marshall and the overall impact of our program.

MSMKT Student Advisory Council (SAC)
The Student Advisory Council is committed to enhancing the student life experience of the cohort. We achieve this by providing comprehensive support and organizing a diverse range of both social and professional events. Our overarching goal is cultivating a community that fosters collaboration, creates networking opportunities, promotes individual development, and facilitates future career success.

Some of the key activities include:
- Marketing Seminars that facilitate students’ networking opportunities with industry professionals
- The Industry Buddy Program equips students with tailored career support and the development of necessary skills in specialized industries of interest
- Social events including pool parties, Halloween Movie Nights, Cultural Celebrations, Alumni Mixers and more to help students connect with their peers
SAC members are proud ambassadors of the program and are happy to share more about the MSMKT student life experience. Connect with them:
- Samuel Noonan, SAC President
Click HERE to connect on LinkedIn
- Ethan Salmeron: SAC Career Chair
Click HERE to connect on LinkedIn
- Nicole Crenshaw: SAC Events Chair
Click HERE to connect on LinkedIn
- Grace (Shenghan) Zhang: SAC International Chair
Click HERE to connect on LinkedIn

For more information about MSMKT student life, follow us on Instagram

WHY MARSHALL

Real-World Learning

Over its 100-year history, Marshall has forged deep ties with dynamic companies and business leaders, not only in southern California, but across the country and all around the world, creating unlimited opportunities for its students across a broad range of industries.
USC Marshall integrates its core curriculum with a spectrum of hands-on learning opportunities so that our students can take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world, in real time. In the process, they learn more about themselves, the dynamics of teams, and the broader societal context in which business operates. Learning by doing prepares Marshall graduates to be immediately ready to thrive and excel in the workplace.

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Industry Prepared

Accounting, entertainment, real estate, marketing, new media, technology. Los Angeles is a leader in these key global sectors and Marshall takes pride in providing L.A. with the innovative and visionary leaders needed to drive these industries forward.

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The Trojan Network

The USC Marshall experience offers lifelong access to the business world’s premiere connector and accelerator for career success. Decades of intense commitment to the advancement of the Trojan brand have created an unrivaled professional edge.

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Human Leadership

The pace of technological change, globalization, and heightened stakeholder expectations have vastly expanded the business world’s definition of leadership. Through our innovative teaching practices and educational programs, we train 21st century business leaders to take full advantage of the endless opportunities made possible by technological progress while also managing its far-reaching social consequences.

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Tech Fluency

To take advantage of innovation-driven opportunity, we must ensure that future business leaders have the cutting edge analytical, technical, and entrepreneurial skills needed to constantly reimagine business.

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Career Pathways

We believe that learning is lifelong and careers follow pathways. With academic excellence spanning the cinematic arts to data sciences, USC and Marshall allow students to combine multi-faceted fields of study to build a future-proof, highly sought-after skill set.

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Global Opportunities

Located in one of the world’s leading business centers and the gateway to the Pacific Rim, USC is among the very best, most global universities in the U.S. — and no part of USC is more global than Marshall.
Our global international community creates an exciting atmosphere of learning and discourse. Marshall has made considerable investments in programs, centers, research, experiences, and intellectual capital to broaden student perspectives and career pathways.

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PROGRAM PROFILE

Pacing: Full-time (Part-time option available for some students)

Program Length: 1 year (full time)

Format: In-person

Class Schedule: Weekdays on campus

Student Profile: Early- and mid-career professionals

Program Descriptor: Lorem ipsum dolor

STEM Designation: The Marketing Analytics specialization track is a STEM Certified track that provides hands on data driven decision making skills for marketing

PROGRAM PROFILE

Pacing: Full-time (Part-time option available for some students)
Program Length: 1 year (full time)
Format: In-person
Class Schedule: Weekdays on campus
Student Profile: Early- and mid-career professionals
Program Descriptor: Lorem ipsum dolor
STEM Designation: The Marketing Analytics specialization track is a STEM Certified track that provides hands on data driven decision making skills for marketing

TEST Program Profile 1

Pacing: Full-time (Part-time option available for some students)
Program Length: 1 year (full time)
Format: In-person
TEST program profile 2

Class Schedule: Weekdays on campus
Student Profile: Early- and mid-career professionals
STEM Designation: Yes

PROGRAM PROFILE

Format

In-Person
Class Schedule

Weekdays on campus
Student Profile

Early- and mid-career professionals
Program Descriptor

Lorem ipsum dolor
Pacing

Full-time (Part-time option available for some students)
Program Length

1 year (full time)
STEM Certification

The Marketing Analytics specialization track is a STEM Certified track that provides hands on data driven decision making skills for marketing

Deadlines

	Deadline
Round 1	November 1, 2024
Round 2	January 15, 2025
Round 3	March 1, 2025
Round 4	April 15, 2025

International Applicants: We highly encourage you to apply for admission in Round 1 or 2, as we cannot guarantee an admission decision in Round 4 for international applicants due to visa and immigration matters.

Deadlines

	Deadline

Master of Science in Marketing (MSMKT) — PROGRAM TEMPLATE DRAFT

PROGRAM BENEFITS

A PERSONALIZED, INDUSTRY-RELEVANT, AND GLOBAL-FOCUSED CURRICULUM

SPECIALIZE IN ANALYTICS (STEM) OR CONSUMER BEHAVIOR

Dedicated and Tailored Career Support

Exposure and Mentorship From Experts in the Marketing Field

COMPLETE THE 33 UNITS TO GRADUATE IN AS SHORT AS ONE YEAR FULL-TIME OR JUST OVER TWO YEARS PART-TIME

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

Marketing Analytics Track

Sample Schedule for Marketing Analytics Track

Consumer Behavior Track

Sample Schedule For Consumer Behavior Track

Internship Electives

Graduate Certificate in the Business of Entertainment

DATES + DEADLINES

Deadlines

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

MSMKT Student Advisory Council (SAC)

WHY MARSHALL

Real-World Learning

Industry Prepared

The Trojan Network

Human Leadership

Tech Fluency

Career Pathways

Global Opportunities

APPLY + CONTACT

CONNECT

Stay Informed + Stay Connected

PROGRAM PROFILE

PROGRAM PROFILE

TEST Program Profile 1

TEST program profile 2

PROGRAM PROFILE

Format

Class Schedule

Student Profile

Program Descriptor

Pacing

Program Length

STEM Certification

Deadlines

Deadlines