Master of Science in Marketing

Master your marketing skills in as little as one year.

The UIC Business Graduate School Master of Science in Marketing Program provides essential concepts and tools for a career in marketing. The program is ideal for students and young professionals with non-business degrees looking to transition to a marketing position or for business graduates seeking more specialized training in marketing.

Our marketing program offers unique concentrations in Customer-Focused Marketing and Digital Marketing. Or you can opt for a general MS in Marketing, a flexible option that you can customize to your professional interests.

  • Top 80 MSM in U.S. — QS World University Rankings

  • Complete in 12 months of full-time study

GMAT/GRE Waivers Heading link

For fall 2024 applicants, the MS in Marketing program offers GMAT/GRE waivers for the following:

  • Current students and graduates of U.S. colleges and universities with a cumulative 3.0+ GPA (all majors)
  • Graduates of U.S. colleges and universities with 3+ years of post-bachelor’s professional work experience by the start of the program
  • Current students and recent alums of the U of I system who qualify through Guaranteed Admissions
  • Graduates of international colleges and universities with 3+ years of post-bachelor’s professional work experience by the start of the program

Please complete the GMAT/GRE waiver request form to find out if you qualify. Please note that competitive GMAT/GRE scores may help your chances of admission and being awarded merit aid.

Cutting- Edge Curriculum

This 32-credit hour program can be completed in one year of full-time study, or more than one year of part-time study.

This program is perfect for recent graduates who are looking to gain business knowledge in an exciting and growing area. For those looking to switch careers, this program provides practical skills in a rapidly growing career field.

Our marketing program is led by our leading research and clinical faculty, combining theory with practical application.

Marketing Core Courses

  • Introduction to Marketing
  • Marketing Management
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Marketing Research I

Capstone Course
In place of a thesis, each student will participate in a capstone course, which involves detailed analysis and problem solving with live cases. Students will work directly with sponsoring organizations and businesses on real marketing projects.

Concentrations
Students choose between two concentrations, Digital Marketing and Customer-Focused Marketing, to complete their degree.

More Information
*For a full list of courses offered, visit the Course Catalog.
To calculate Tuition, visit the Tuition and Fees page.

Careers in Marketing

In this program, you will learn how to:

  • Develop integrated marketing strategies and solutions that address market challenges and exploit internal organizational and external market opportunities
  • Design, conduct, analyze, and utilize market research to aid managerial decision making
  • Create effective marketing tactics by configuring, monitoring and managing elements of the marketing mix
  • Plan advertising and promotional campaigns, such as radio, television, print, outdoor, online, SEM
  • Monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends
  • Measure the ROI of marketing programs and by collecting and analyzing data
  • Develop, execute, evaluate and present effective digital and social media marketing campaigns
  • Use major tools in digital marketing for paid search ads, search engine optimization (SEO), organic social media, social media ads and mobile marketing strategies
  • Tailor messaging and marketing activities to the unique needs of subcultures
  • Select and use the right marketing analytic tools to test alternative marketing activities and improve marketing outcomes
  • Conduct a brand image/identity research study and analyze the results

Career Outcomes

Marketing candidates are in high demand. In fact, Marketing Managers and Marketing Research Analysts are listed as two of the “Top 25 Jobs” by U.S. News & World Report.  For the Class of 2023, 81% of recent graduates had been employed within six months of graduation with a starting average salary of $70,000.

Career Possibilities

  • Marketing Manager
  • Marketing Research Analyst
  • Product Marketing Specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Brand Manager

Graduate Application Deadlines Heading link

Mar 15 2025

Summer 2025 Domestic

Saturday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm
Apr 1 2025

Fall 2025 International

Tuesday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm
May 1 2025

Online MBA and Online MSM–Summer

Thursday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm
Jul 1 2025

Fall 2025 Domestic

Tuesday, 12:00 am–11:59 pm

Explore Degree Requirements

Program Faculty Heading link

Featured Courses Heading link

MKTG 572 International Marketing

This course focuses on the marketing of goods and services beyond domestic markets. Learn about distribution, promotion and pricing strategies, socio-cultural differences, and the economic, political and regulatory environments that influence international marketing strategy and decision making.

MKTG 562-563-564 Marketing Research & Analytics

This three-course sequence will show you how to collect and use all types of data (primary and secondary, quantitative and qualitative, analog and digital) to better understand a dynamic marketplace and make effective marketing decisions.

MKTG 567 Digital and Social Media Marketing

Learn how to develop, execute and evaluate effective digital and social media marketing strategies.

Concentrations Heading link

Digital Marketing

Study and analyze effective marketing tactics by designing, monitoring and managing traditional advertising, social media and digital marketing campaigns.

Courses include:
Digital and Social Media Marketing
Consumer Behavior
Advanced Digital Marketing and Advertising
Omni-Channel Retailing
Brand Management
Electronic Marketing

Customer-Focused Marketing

Design marketing strategies with an emphasis on incorporating multicultural perspectives into the marketing mix.

Courses include:
Consumer Behavior
Digital and Social Media Marketing
Multicultural Marketing
International Marketing

Study Abroad Programs Heading link

Interested in studying outside of the United States? UIC Business offers several opportunities to study abroad.

EM Normandie International Summer School

EM Normandie International Summer School offers students the opportunity to participate in a 2- or 4-week international experience in Paris and Le Havre, France. This program is offered through the EM Normandie Business School, which is one of the oldest business schools in France and a top institution for higher education. Students may take a variety of business courses (including management, marketing, and international business) and engage in business meetings and cultural visits. MSM students can earn 3 or 6 credits for participating in the program.