NOTE: Admission to this fully online program is for the Fall semester only.

Level Up Your Marketing Passion

If you aspire to grow as a marketing or communications professional, take advantage of the flexibility of online learning and enroll in Eastern Michigan University's Integrated Marketing Communications [M.S.] graduate program. Geared toward the busy professional, both the master’s degree and graduate certificate are 100% online. 

As a student in the program, you will be able to collaborate with professional peers from around the globe as you learn the most effective marketing strategies using real-world examples and techniques. 

Discover how to create a seamless integrated marketing and communications plan and gain the practical skills you need to build a successful brand. 

Distinguished faculty experts will teach you how to bring together branding, messaging and media to develop innovative, results-driven marketing strategies.

Academic Programs

Choose from a 36-credit master’s degree or a 15-credit certificate in Integrated Marketing and Communications to meet your career goals.

NOTE: GRE or GMAT scores are not required for admission into the IMC program. However, if you have taken one of the exams, you may choose to submit scores as they may enhance an applicant’s review.

Integrated Marketing Communications [M.S.] – In this program, you will learn advanced skills to create cohesive marketing strategies that build and maximize brand value for business and nonprofit organizations. Explore the use of essential tools for brand building success in topics that include:

  • Creative Message Strategy
  • Digital and Direct Marketing
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Customer Relationship Marketing

Integrated Marketing Communications [Graduate Certificate] – Students looking to enhance their careers with marketing expertise will gain skills in developing strategy, creating impactful assets, mastering digital marketing channels and more.

What to Expect

The program is fully online, allowing for both instruction and professional networking to be conducted virtually. IMC courses typically involve reading textbooks and articles, engaging in online discussions and forums, conducting research, and completing writing assignments.

  • Class Sessions

    The program consists of five sessions per year, and sessions are 7.5 weeks in length. Below are class session dates for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.

    • Early Winter 2025: 1/6-2/26
    • Late Winter 2025: 3/3-4/23
    • Early Summer: Dates TBD
  • Time Commitment
    Designed for working professionals, the IMC program requires a significant time commitment. The 12-course master’s degree (36 credits) can be completed in two years, while the graduate certificate takes one year. With shorter sessions than traditional semesters, students should plan to dedicate around 15 hours per week to reading, discussions, and assignments.
  • Recommended Course Sequence

    Below is guidance on how to complete the IMC degree in two years. The IMC class schedule is subject to change based on demand and other factors.

    • IMC 601 Principles, Strategies and Tactics (early Fall)
    • IMC 603 Consumer Behavior & Insights (late Fall)
    • IMC 604 Marketing Communications Research & Analytics (early Winter)
    • IMC 602 Brand Development (late Winter)
    • IMC Elective (Summer)
    • IMC 616 Search Marketing with Google Adwords (early Fall)
    • IMC 605 Creative Message Strategy and *IMC 606 Media Strategy (taken concurrently in late Fall)*
    • IMC 617 Social Media Marketing Strategy (early Winter)
    • IMC 614 IMC Privacy Policy Management and IMC 615 IMC Ethics, Regulations and Society (taken concurrently in late Winter)*
    • IMC 631 IMC Campaigns (Summer)

    *These courses feature coordinated student workloads and involve complementary project topics.

Careers

Graduates of the program may be able to secure roles in the following careers and more:

  • Brand Manager
  • Communications/PR Director
  • Digital Marketing Manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Marketing Consultant

What Do Alumni Say?

  • "My education at IMC put me in a perfect position for my current role. In fact, I envisioned myself in this very type of role while I was in school. Between the subject matter of the IMC coursework, the flexibility offered by the program and the accelerated timeline to graduation, it honestly couldn’t have worked any better for me personally or professionally."

    –Austen Smith (MS19), Senior Vice President, Marketing and Research Strategies, Phoenix Innovate

  • "Working as a full-time Marketing Specialist at the time, I was able to use real-world experiences to elevate my participation in the courses as well as apply the learnings of the courses to my career immediately. Since graduation, I have been promoted to Marketing Manager and most recently, Product Manager. My experience in the IMC program is certainly one of the reasons my marketing knowledge has evolved and allowed me to grow within my company."

    –Tiffany Moss (MS18), Product & Marketing Manager, Alliance Franchise Brands

  • "The IMC program was the best thing that I could have done for my career! The progression of the courses from start to finish really forced me to get into the weeds of what makes great marketing, how to implement it, how to analyze it, and how to apply findings to future campaigns. This program has made me the well-rounded marketing professional that I am today!"

    –Sarah Carr (MS19), Marketing Manager, Saint John's Resort

  • "The IMC program helped me to better understand and develop strategies to implement integrated programs that touch on various media and digital avenues. [It] was a great investment, I’ve gained excellent experience and have expanded my professional network greatly."

    –Tracey Pearson (MS16), Communications Officer, The Kresge Foundation

At a Glance

  • Fully online program with online courses
  • 36 credits
  • Time to complete: two years, on average
  • Online classes only
  • Fall admission only

Graduate Degree & Certificate

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Contact Us

Sufian Qrunfleh, Ph.D.

Department Head

203 Hill Hall

734.487.2454

[email protected]