Advance your career by earning a respected degree with innovative roots and a future-focused, real-world curriculum.
Request Information ApplyWe were the first online IMC master’s program in the country, and we are proud of the program we have built. Since our start in 2003, we’ve been honing our program to respond not only to student needs, but to the needs of the market. While the program is online, its rigor is held to the standards befitting West Virginia University’s R1 research standing. Go ahead, check us out. You’ll always find WVU’s IMC program listed among the best in the country.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our 1,500+ alumni, current students and faculty hold elite positions at companies all over the world. We have a saying, “Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer.” Mountaineers like nothing more than helping fellow alumni and soon-to-be alumni, so the support system starts on day-one and continues as long as you let it. Leverage the power of the Mountaineer network!
Meet Amanda Beck, class of 2017. Amanda is now Marketing Communications Manager at Texas Association of School Boards. Amanda's favorite part of the program was the applicable curriculum. "I enjoyed taking challenges from work and applying the practices from each course to address them. Although it was challenging to complete, the campaigns course was the best example of this. I selected a client in the industry I had previously worked—and had an interest—and really enjoyed going through the process to build a campaign that would be viable in the real world."
More Alumni Stories
When you submit a request, we will send you a viewbook and our contact information via email. We’re happy to answer any questions you have as you consider your graduate education options.
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LinkedIn is a great tool to research companies and find job opportunities, but how are you perceived when a company or recruiter goes to find your profile? This session will guide attendees through how to optimize your personal profile to reflect your knowledge, experience and personal brand to companies and recruiters to land the perfect opportunity.
The marketing communications field is constantly evolving and requires professionals to be life-long students in order to keep up with trends and developments. One of the most valuable resources for marketing communications professionals is their network. By networking and exchanging advice professionals, and students, can stay on top of industry news, find expert guidance and discover new career opportunities.
Marketing and communications during a crisis demand flexibility and adaptability. For the West Virginia University Foundation, that was never more apparent than during the height of COVID-19. The Foundation’s IMC team of 4 had to quickly put together two campaigns in less than a month to help raise emergency funding for students hurt by the pandemic. Learn how this small staff was able to create two compelling campaigns while working remotely and amidst other job responsibilities. Find out what worked and what didn’t, and how under budget constraints, powerful messages were delivered to move donors to donate more than a half-million dollars in one day.
Digital and Social Media
The Digital and Social Media specialization gives IMC students the tools they need for future careers using digital and social media as part of a greater integrated marketing communications strategy. From social media best practices to search engine optimization, from web metrics to developing a broader digital ad strategy, this AOE equips students with the skills needed to thrive as digital and social media specialists.
You should select Digital and Social Media if you’re interested in:
Digital and Social Media Courses: