Marketing Communications
Major
- School of Arts, Sciences & Business
- Communication Arts Department
The interdisciplinary Marketing Communications program provides a foundation in writing and speaking skills, as well as specific career training in creative fields such as advertising, public relations, event planning, and publication and digital design. The curriculum covers business best practices in marketing, finance, teamwork, and negotiation, along with the full spectrum of marketing strategies and promotional tactics, cultivating the necessary business experience and flexibility to adapt to current and future marketplace trends.
Program Locations
Available Majors
- Marketing Communications
Available Minors
- Business
- Economics
- Entrpreneurship
Faculty
- Professor
- Assistant Professor/Chair
- Associate Professor/Chair
Four-Year Plan
Sample program of study for the marketing communications major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
First Year |
|||
| COM-210 Social Media | 3 | BUS-334 Teamwork and Negotiation | 3 |
| BUS-105 Introduction Business and Entrepreneurship (recommended) | 3 | ART-251 Digital Page Layout or CST-261 Web Page Design |
3 |
| NDMU-100 First Year Experience | 3 | General Education Requirements | 9 |
| General Education Requirements | 6 | [15 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
Second Year |
|||
| BUS-303 Principles of Marketing | 3 | COM-319 Advertising or COM-331 Public Relations |
3 |
| COM-301 Feature Writing | 3 | COM-375 Event Planning | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Third Year |
|||
| BUS-360 Business Research or COM-356 Communication Research |
3 | COM-319 Advertising or COM-331 Public Relations |
3 |
| COM-363 Publication Design and Publishing | 3 | BUS-482 Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
Fourth Year |
|||
| BUS-483 Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 | COM-461/BUS-461 Communication Arts or Business Practicum | 4 |
| BUS-461/IDS-361 Internship (recommended) | 3 | BUS-416 Managing Financial Resources | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | COM-401 Writing for the Web | 3 |
| [15 credits] | General Education/Electives | 6 | |
| [16 credits] | |||
Note: Descriptions for the courses required as part of the marketing communications major may be found in the business, communication arts, art, and computer studies sections of the catalog.
What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University
Small class sizes and personal attention enhance the student experience while internships and practica allow you to apply classroom learning to real world situations. An interdisciplinary curriculum allows you to customize the program to your own interests and goals.
Student Outcomes
After completing the program, you will be able to:
1. Develop effective data-driven marketing communications strategies
a. Devise, conduct and analyze secondary research which informs marketing problem definition and strategy development
b. Design, gather, analyze and integrate primary research information into the development of a marketing communications program
c. Identify, analyze and solve marketing problems and in formulating and evaluating multiple solutions through critical thinking
2. Evaluate and design effective communication plans for internal and external audiences either working individually or as a member of a team
a. Demonstrate effective teamwork: Use skills in communication, cooperation, group process, conflict resolution, giving constructive feedback, and negotiation to contribute to team effectiveness and efficiency in achieving common goals and projects.
b. Estimate and justify a budget for marketing communications activities and determine measures to track financial contribution.
c. Evaluate the effectiveness of both traditional and nontraditional marketing communications tools and media in achieving marketing communications objectives.
3. Create effective marketing messages that are ethical, socially responsible and well-reasoned using diverse media
a. Recognize unethical, socially irresponsible, illogical promotional elements and/or campaigns and design ethical, socially responsible, and logical marketing campaigns.
b. Select and design effective communication tools and media to meet specific marketing challenges.
c. Design professional, persuasive, logical and effective communications, both in writing and orally.
Research & Internship Opportunities
The program culminates in a professional practicum to gain work experience analyzing, designing, implementing and reviewing integrated marketing communication plans for local businesses.
Examples of Internships
- Social Toaster
- Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore
- Wes Moore Brand
- Cal Ripken Foundation
- M&T Bank
- DLR Marketing & Advertising
- MD Office of the Public Defender
- Baltimore Collegetown Network
- Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism
Marketing Communications Careers
- Corporate Marketing Communications Professionals
- Account Managers in Advertising or Direct Marketing Firms
- Social Media or Web Content Managers
- Event Planners
- Public Relations Professionals
- Marketing Representatives
- Trade Show Coordinators
- Publication Managers
- Product Managers
- Media Buyers
- Sales Promotion Directors
- Internet Marketing Managers