This master's degree program is designed for mid-career, director-level marketing communications professionals who are ready to move into a VP or executive role. Gain expertise in digital media, audience engagement and campaign-building from practitioner instructors who are leaders in the industry. Classes begin Fall 2024. Apply by August 1.
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.
You will take an intro course, three core courses and final capstone course where you will focus on your current company. Then, choose from more than 25 elective courses or enroll in an independent study and/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 coursework around a busy schedule, family and your career. Learn more about the course format and 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 ProcessWest Virginia University developed the nation's first fully online master's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications in 2003, and we are continuously updating course content based on industry feedback. Our program is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and continually ranks among the best online master's degree programs in the country.
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.
Request Info or Schedule a Time to ChatIn a recent survey, 56% of alumni reported receiving more than a 25% increase in their salaries upon earning their degrees.
98% of our alumni said they felt more competitive and/or received a promotion upon completing their master's degree.
“I wanted to gain new competencies to advance from a mid-level management role, stand out in a competitive job market 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
Our close-knit community of 2,500+ alumni hold elite positions all over the world, and they are passionate about supporting IMC students and alumni. Join this network and experience the true meaning of "Once a Mountaineer, always a Mountaineer!"
To earn your Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications, you will take 10 courses: an intro course, three core courses, two specialty courses, three electives and a capstone. There are more than 25 electives to choose from, or you can take an independent study or research course to focus on a special project for your organization.
| Early Fall | Introduction to IMC |
| Late Fall |
| Early Spring |
Choose 2 Elective Courses*
Independent Study** |
| Late Spring | Choose 1 Specialty Course |
| Choose 1 Specialty Course |
| Early Fall |
Executive Capstone Research Course*** OR Choose 1 Elective Course* |
| Late Fall |
*Elective courses are subject to change.
**Independent study option in Early Spring 2025 requires accepted plan/proposal for work to be conducted on student's current organization.
***Executive Capstone Research Course option in Fall 2025 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 weekly due dates so can focus on the content, not on trying to keep track of changing deadlines. You can expect to spend 10-20 hours per week on coursework while will require you to read lessons and case studies; participate in a discussion board relevant to the week's topic; and complete an assignment to reinforce your learning. There are no required on-campus residencies or virtual meeting times.
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 and build a complete marketing proposal/plan that you'll be ready to pitch and implement as soon as you complete your master's degree.
Our 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 PepsiCo, Chase, P&G and more. They bring their real marketing communications experience into your virtual classroom.
President, Florida Advanced Spine & Trauma Centers (FASTMD) Teaches Audience Insight
President and Chief Executive at Brand Urbanity Teaches Customer Engagement Ethics and Strategy, Crisis Communication and IMC Campaigns
Associate Vice President of Communications and Donor Engagement for the WVU Foundation Teaches Introduction to IMC and Public Relations Concepts and Strategy
Senior Vice President of Marketing for Whitefish Credit Union Teaches Campaign Metrics and Assessments and Market Research and Analysis
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.
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 deadline for applications to this cohort is August 1, 2024, 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 (now the WVU Reed School of Media and Communications) 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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