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Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The MBA in Marketing at USD focuses on developing a deep understanding of strategic marketing principles, consumer insights, and new product development. It prepares graduates to create and execute effective marketing campaigns, build strong brands, and utilize data to drive marketing decisions. The program emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, and the application of ethical principles in marketing. It offers flexibility in delivery, with options for on-campus, hybrid, and fully online formats, making it accessible to a diverse range of students, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals. The Beacom School of Business holds the prestigious AACSB International accreditation, a hallmark of quality business education worldwide.
Curriculum: The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in general business administration alongside specialized marketing coursework. Core MBA subjects cover essential areas like management, finance, accounting, and operations. The marketing specialization delves into areas such as consumer behavior, branding, marketing analysis, digital marketing, and new product development. Students learn to examine the product development process from conception through rapid prototyping, forecasting demand, production, and launch. The program also explores using data to identify high-value and/or high-risk customers, products, and processes, ensuring graduates are competent in both creative marketing strategies and data-driven analytical approaches.
Research Focus: While the MBA in Marketing is primarily practitioner-oriented, the program is informed by the research and scholarly activities of the faculty in the Department of Entrepreneurship, Management, and Marketing. Research interests within the department often include topics such as communication in cross-cultural adaptation, gender stereotypes in media, the role of artificial intelligence in crisis communications, and persuasive techniques in political campaigns. This academic grounding ensures that the curriculum incorporates current trends and theoretical frameworks in marketing, providing students with up-to-date knowledge and insights. Students may also have opportunities to engage in applied research projects, leveraging their analytical skills to solve real-world marketing challenges.
Industry Engagement: USD's Beacom School of Business is committed to fostering strong connections with the business community. This dedication translates into valuable industry engagement for MBA students, including those specializing in Marketing. Faculty often bring extensive industry experience to the classroom, enriching the learning experience with practical insights. Opportunities such as the Coyote Business Consulting Group provide students with hands-on experience by working on real business problems, allowing them to apply their marketing knowledge in practical settings. Networking events and interactions with alumni and industry professionals also provide valuable opportunities for students to build professional connections and gain insights into current industry practices.
Global Perspective: The MBA in Marketing at USD inherently incorporates a global perspective, acknowledging the interconnected nature of today's markets. The curriculum addresses how products and services are marketed across different cultures and international borders, recognizing the influence of global trends on consumer behavior and brand strategies. The program aims to prepare graduates to understand the complexities of international markets, cultural nuances in marketing communication, and the challenges and opportunities of global brand management. The Beacom School of Business's AACSB accreditation further underscores its commitment to a globally relevant curriculum, ensuring that graduates are equipped to excel in diverse and international marketing roles.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates with an MBA in Marketing from the University of South Dakota (USD) are equipped to excel in a wide range of roles within the dynamic and ever-evolving marketing landscape. The program's focus on strategic thinking, consumer insights, and data-driven decision-making makes them highly valuable assets to organizations across various industries. The job outlook for marketing managers, in general, is projected to grow 8% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations, indicating strong demand for skilled professionals in this field.
Marketing Manager: This is a broad but central role, involving the planning, execution, and oversight of marketing campaigns to promote products or services. Marketing Managers are crucial for increasing brand awareness, engaging target audiences, and driving sales growth. The median annual wage for marketing managers in the U.S. was around $157,620 in 2023.
Brand Manager: Brand Managers are responsible for the overall perception and success of a specific product line or brand. They develop brand strategies, manage brand identity, and ensure consistent messaging across all marketing channels to build strong brand equity and loyalty.
Digital Marketing Manager: With the increasing shift to online platforms, Digital Marketing Managers specialize in planning and executing digital campaigns across various channels, including social media, search engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising (PPC), email marketing, and content marketing.
Product Marketing Manager: These professionals are the bridge between product development and marketing. They are responsible for launching new products, positioning them effectively in the market, creating messaging, and driving product adoption and growth.
Market Research Analyst: Utilizing strong analytical skills, Market Research Analysts gather and interpret data on consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor activities to provide actionable insights that inform marketing strategies and product development.
Advertising and Promotions Manager: These managers oversee the creation and implementation of advertising campaigns and promotional activities. They work with creative teams, media buyers, and sales teams to ensure that promotional efforts align with marketing objectives.
Marketing Communications Director: This role focuses on developing and implementing an organization's overall communication strategy. They manage public relations, internal communications, and external messaging to maintain a consistent and positive brand image.
Sales Manager/Director: While primarily a sales role, an MBA in Marketing provides a strategic understanding of consumer behavior and market dynamics, which is invaluable for leading sales teams, developing sales strategies, and aligning sales efforts with overall marketing goals to drive revenue.
Business Development Manager: This role involves identifying new business opportunities, forging strategic partnerships, and expanding a company's market reach. Marketing insights help in understanding market needs and developing compelling value propositions.
E-commerce Marketing Specialist/Manager: In the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector, these professionals focus on optimizing online sales channels, managing product listings, running online promotions, and analyzing e-commerce data to drive sales and enhance the online customer experience.
