Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Integrated Marketing Communication - M.A.


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Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Jeanne M. Persuit

The Department of Communication Studies offers a program of study leading to the Master of Arts degree in Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC). The program emphasizes four areas relating to IMC; (1) praxis, or theory-informed action; (2) communication and rhetoric; (3) research and (4) ethics. The program prepares students for careers in IMC in areas such as advertising, public relations, social media management, branding and marketing communication, public information and strategic communication, and event and experiential marketing. In addition, the program will prepare students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in IMC or communication studies.

Admission Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in IMC are required to submit the following to the Graduate School:

  1. An application for graduate admission.
  2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
  3. Applicants with lower than a 3.0 undergraduate GPA must submit GRE or MAT scores taken in the last five years.
  4. Three recommendations to be submitted through the online application. At least one recommendation should be from an academic instructor.
  5. A statement of interest that addresses the applicant’s purpose for graduate study, focusing on how attending graduate school in IMC will help the applicant achieve their professional goals. The essay should be no longer than 1-2 pages (approximately 500-600 words).

The minimum requirements for acceptance are the following: a satisfactory response to the statement of interest attached to the application form, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university or its equivalent in a foreign institution based on a four-year program, and a strong overall academic record with a “B” average or better in the undergraduate major. Official scores on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (no more than five years old) are required for students with lower than a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA. However, meeting minimal MAT/GRE scores and grade requirements does not in itself guarantee admission.

All applications must be received by the published deadline.

Degree Requirements (30 total credit hours)


The M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication program requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate study, for both the thesis and non-thesis options.

At least 24 credit hours must be completed in residence at UNCW; a maximum of six credit hours may be transferred from another regionally accredited institution. Grades on transfer work must be equivalent to a “B” or better.

Students must complete the program within five years of the date of first registration for graduate study.

Course Requirements (30 credit hours)


The M.A. in IMC is an online, accelerated program (OAP). Courses are offered in 7-week terms six times per calendar year. Sequence of courses is predetermined and can be changed only with the permission of the graduate coordinator.

Exit Requirement


The program exit requirement is a project, portfolio, or thesis that is approved by the department graduate committee. Projects and portfolios are submitted at the end of COM 590: Capstone.

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