Take your seat at the table at the v-level or c-suite. Join other marketing leaders and move your career to the next level in an industry-renowned master's program, all while building a marketing plan for your current company. Classes begin August 16, 2023.
Request Information Apply to the CohortPictured, Jessica Garrett Modkins, M.S. IMC 2014, is Founder of Hip Rock Star. She completed her graduate education after working in the industry for 20+ years.
Your journey starts with an intro course, three core courses and finally a capstone that focuses on your current company. You'll also choose from more than 25 elective courses, an independent study or research hours to work on building a proposal specific to your organization.
View the Course OptionsFrom VPs to Chief Executives, instructors in this elite cohort bring decades of marketing communications experience into the virtual classroom, ensuring that your studies prepare you for the challenges you'll face in corporate leadership.
Meet the FacultyAll courses are asynchronous, enabling you to balance your studies around your busy schedule and balance life, family and work, along with your graduate education. Learn more about the formatting of the courses and the time commitment.
Course Deadlines and CommitmentsNot only will you finish the program with a ready-to-implement marketing plan, you'll also earn your Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications and have the knowledge and new skills to take the lead at your company.
Learn About the Application ProcessToday's marketing communications executives have a multifaceted understanding of how businesses grow. Leadership in this field is about building transformational teams and devising strategies for enhancing the brand, aligning with consumers, and ultimately driving revenue.
This program is designed for mid-career, director-level marketing communications professionals who are ready to move into a VP or executive role. Master new skills in digital media and audience engagement, hone campaign-building skills and learn from practitioner instructors who are leaders in the industry.
Benefits for you and your organization: This specialized cohort includes in-course projects and independent study opportunities for you to focus on developing a marketing plan for your current organization. Because you'll be in classes with other d-level managers, you'll also benefit from learning alongside experienced pros just like you, from all around the country.
Request Info or Schedule a Time to Chat56%
of alumni reported receiving more than a 25% increase in their salary
98% of alumni said they felt more competitive and/or received a promotion upon completing their master's degree. WVU's M.S. IMC degree will give you the skills needed to advance your career — and gain a competitive advantage.
“Knowing that I wanted to gain new competencies to advance from a mid-level management role in a trade association, stand out in a competitive job marketing, and still engage my creative streak, the WVU IMC program was a natural fit.”
— Mary Young, M.S. IMC 2021, VP of Communications at American Frozen Food Institute
The Integrated Marketing Communications master’s program at WVU was developed in 2003 — the nation’s first online IMC master’s program. Since its development, it has grown with the industry and remains in a class of its own. You gain a full omni-channel view that you can specialize to fit your interests or the needs of your organization. It’s a "learn-it-today, apply-it-tomorrow" kind of program. Our 2,500+ alumni network holds elite positions all over the world. Meet them here.
The executive cohort is an elite group of marketing communications practitioners — accomplished people just like you. During your WVU IMC graduate journey, you'll also engage with other students in your chosen elective and specialty courses. Plus, you'll join a global network of 2,500+ marcom pros.
Not only are you joining the 2,500+ network, you'll have the opportunity to learn from them. From mentorship to continuing education opportunities, our alumni are a close-knit group with a lot of expertise. And they are passionate about supporting each other. Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer!
This elite cohort intrinsically incorporates a focus on leadership development and strategic thinking to help aspiring executives become more effective leaders and decision-makers. You'll learn not only from executives, but also from the other aspiring executives who will be in the virtual seat next to you.
Within the curriculum, you'll benefit from an emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking and data analysis. You'll have opportunities to choose courses that align with your professional goals. Plus, some courses include built-in certifications, which add further credentials to your resume and can positively impact your earning potential.
During your graduate journey in this cohort, you'll be able to supplement your studies with professional development workshops focused on what's happening today in the marcom world. You'll also have access to industry resources like the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).
To earn your Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, you will complete a journey totaling 10 courses: an intro course, three core courses, two "specialty" courses, three electives and a capstone. With more than 25 elective course options to choose from, you get the best of both worlds in this cohort - a degree that is focused on executive-level thinking with the customizability to pick up expertise in the areas that you feel will benefit you the most in your career.
Here's a look at the projected course schedule:
| Early Fall | Introduction to IMC |
| Late Fall |
| Early Spring |
Choose 2 Elective Courses*
Advanced Creative Concepts Change Management Executive Communications and Leadership Independent Study** |
| Late Spring | Choose 1 Specialty Course |
| Choose 1 Specialty Course |
| Early Fall |
Executive Capstone Research Course*** OR Choose 1 Elective Course* Podcast Promotion & Production |
| Late Fall |
*Elective courses are subject to change.
**Independent study option in Early Spring 2024 requires accepted plan/proposal for work to be conducted on student's current organization.
***Executive Capstone Research Course option in Fall 2024 requires proposal with goals outlined by student for work to be conducted in preparation of Capstone course.
In our 8-week online, asynchronous courses, you can continue your work while completing classes.
The format of each course is consistent, with the same due dates. That's because we want you to focus on the content, not on trying to keep track of changing deadline schedules. Generally, the workload is projected to be around 10-20 hours a week in this cohort. In each course, you'll read lessons and case studies. You'll participate in discussion on a topic relevant to that week and assignment to reinforce your learning. As a bonus in this elite cohort, many of the courses also include opportunities to focus on your company, adding immediate, simultaneous impact to your professional endeavors. And there are no required on-campus residencies or weekend commitments to complicate life.
Each week, you'll prepare a response for discussion and respond to the posts of your colleagues in the course. You'll also complete an assignment based on that week's topic. Your initial discussion board posts are due by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. ET, with responses to classmates due Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET. Discussions are in APA format, with an expectation of 3-4 paragraphs and cited sources. Assignments are due Mondays at 11:59 p.m. ET and are generally a few pages, but vary depending on the assignment. All courses follow the same deadline schedule.
One key benefit of this elite cohort is learning directly from current marketing communications executives - practitioners who have the experience to provide supplemental value to your own graduate learning because they understand and live the specific challenges you deal with professionally in your day-to-day business life. You'll benefit from the feedback you receive individually from your instructors, and they will be your guides through the critical subjects you'll need to master to lead the marketing communications initiatives at your company.
In many of the courses, you'll be able to focus some of the projects and coursework on your company if you wish. This special feature of this cohort provides you with a unique synergy between the work you're completing during the day and your graduate studies. You'll be able to implement what you are learning in the classroom immediately in your professional roles (a feature of our programs that we often refer to as "learn-it-today, apply-it-tomorrow"), as well as building a complete marketing proposal/plan that you'll be ready to pitch and implement as soon as you complete your master's degree.
Meet professors Bob Sukys and Josh Wilson as they discuss the curriculum, opportunities to focus on your current company, time commitments, the application process and how this exclusive cohort will help you move into a VP or executive role.
Register and Add to CalendarMeet professors Bill Nevin and Chris Caserta as they discuss the curriculum, opportunities to focus on your current company, time commitments, the application process and how this exclusive cohort will help you move into a VP or executive role.
Register and Add to CalendarOur faculty are CEOs, CMOs and industry leaders from across the country who have contributed their expertise to help develop programs and courses. They work for some pretty big companies too, think AT&T, General Motors, Aflac, as well as working with Fortune 500 companies such as PespiCo, Chase, P&G and more. They bring their real marketing communications experience into your virtual classroom.
Healthcare Executive Marketing Consultant with 20+ Years Experience Teaches IMC 612 Audience Insights Christopher Caserta is a strategy and marketing communications executive with over 20 years of experience within regional and national health systems and post-acute care organizations.
President and Chief Executive of Brand Urbanity Teaches IMC 636 Campaigns Dr. Debra Brittain (Britt) Davenport is the president and chief executive of Brand Urbanity, a full-service branding and IMC firm with offices in Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Associate VP of Communications for the WVU Foundation Teaches IMC 610 Intro to IMC Bill Nevin is associate vice president of communications for the West Virginia University Foundation, the private fundraising arm of West Virginia University.
Founder and Director of BrandMine Teaches IMC 613 Brand Equity Management Bob Sukys’ focus is on consulting and training practices in branding, marketing and consumer communication, and creating and managing best practices for advertising production to ensure brands achieve the best advertising at the most efficient cost.
Senior VP of Marketing for Whitefish Credit Union Teaches IMC 611 Marketing Research Analysis Josh Wilson is an award-winning marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience in financial institutions and government.
We're here for you every step of the way ... we'll answer your questions, help with your applications for graduate school and financial support, schedule your classes, provide tech support, welcome you for graduation and keep in touch once you cross the finish line.
Attend an Information Session:
Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 23 at 12 p.m.
Having trouble with our form? Try our alternate version.
Submit a proposal to see if you qualify for the Executive Cohort. This cohort is strictly limited to 20 seats. Upload your resume, tell us which company you'll focus on, and share a brief Statement of Purpose identifying what you hope to achieve by being in this cohort. The priority deadline for applications to this cohort is April 1, after which we will only accept qualified applicants if seats remain. We recommend applying early to secure a seat in this cohort.
If you're accepted into the cohort, you'll need to submit an application
to the University. In this application, you'll resubmit your
personal statement and résumé (the exact same information you
submitted for the proposal in Step 1 is fine), as well as submitting
your official academic transcripts. Upon your acceptance into
this cohort, we'll send you an application fee waiver.
The GRE/GMAT is not required for admission. However,
International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS Scores.
Academic transcript requests can sometimes get delayed, so it's
best to go ahead and get the ball rolling! Contact your prior
academic institution(s) and request that official academic transcripts
be sent (via postal mail or electronic delivery) directly to:
WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
One Waterfront Place
PO Box 6510
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
Email:
GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Phone: 304-293-2121
NOTE: If you earned your Bachelor's degree at WVU, you do not need to request these transcripts as they are already on file.
To apply for one of WVU's full online master's degrees in Data, Digital or Integrated Marketing Communications, a graduate certificate program, use the WVU Graduate Admissions portal. You don't have to complete your application all at once - use this login anytime to continue the app or submit additional materials.
NOTE: If you are a current WVU student, you should create a new account as this site does not use your WVU login credentials.
WVU Marketing Communications programs are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission which is one of six regional institutional accreditors in the U.S. by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is also recognized with the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The Higher Learning Commission accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region.
In 2022, the WVU Reed College of Media was one of 35 institutions named to the 2022 PRNEWS Education A-List, which recognizes the best institutions of higher education for career advancement in public relations and marketing communications. It was named to the PRNEWS Education A-List again in 2023. Our Integrated Marketing Communications online graduate program was named a "Program of Excellence " by the WVU Board of Governors in 2020 and was a finalist in the PRWeek US Awards 2016 “Education Program of the Year” category. WVU IMC was also named the “Outstanding Online Program” for 2015 by the Online Learning Consortium, the leading professional organization devoted to advancing the quality of online learning worldwide.
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