Overview
As companies continue to evolve and discover better ways to connect with consumers, today’s marketers need to know how to blend cutting-edge technologies with digital marketing strategies in order to drive business success. Our online Master of Science in Marketing from the AACSB Accredited CU Denver Business School builds your expertise in marketing management, communication, and analytical decision-making and prepares you to thrive as a leader within a marketing team.
When you become an online Master’s in Marketing student, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one of our career-focused specializations and connect marketing management skills with digital marketing trends and techniques in brand communication, marketing strategy, digital analytics, global sustainability, and consumer behavior. Through collaborative projects and practical learning opportunities, you’ll learn how to manage modern, holistic marketing initiatives and create innovative solutions to complex marketing challenges.
Program at a Glance
Degree Program:
Master of Science in Marketing
Offered By:
CU Denver Business School
Tuition:
Cost Per Credit:
$750
Cost Per Credit:
$875*
Out-of-state students may qualify for discounted tuition through the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program.
Application Deadline:
Credit Hours:
30
Program Details
Our Master’s in Marketing online program is created for actively working professionals who are looking to take the next step in establishing a marketing career. Whether you’re currently a marketing professional or you’re looking to transition into a marketing role, this degree will give you the broad foundation and specialized skills you need to stay competitive in the ever-changing landscape of marketing.
As an online student at CU Denver, you’ll take the same courses from our award-winning marketing faculty as you would on campus, but with flexibility you need to balance your classes with full-time work or family commitments. Our fully online classes are recorded rather than live streamed, so you’ll be able to learn on your schedule. When you graduate, you’ll receive a diploma from the University of Colorado without any indication that you’ve earned your degree online, making online learning an ideal alternative to a traditional, on-campus degree.
During your marketing master’s degree, you’ll also have the opportunity to take advantage of the thriving Denver business, marketing, nonprofit, and startup scene from anywhere in the world. Through engaging guest lectures, hands-on projects, and networking opportunities, you’ll connect with marketing experts and executives who can offer unique insight about current marketing trends and what employers are looking for.
How is a Master’s in Marketing different from an MBA in Marketing?
While an MS in Marketing and an MBA with a marketing focus are different in many ways, both degrees have the potential to help you meet your professional goals. When you’re deciding which degree is the right fit for your career, consider these key differences between an MBA and a Master’s in Marketing.
MS in Marketing
Our online Master’s in Marketing degree is highly specialized, meaning that everything from core courses to electives will focus on honing your expertise as a marketing professional.
You’ll gain a deep understanding of advanced marketing strategies and management tools, and you can tailor your degree even further through our marketing specializations in brand communication, marketing intelligence, and global sustainability.
Examples of course topics you’ll study as an MS in Marketing student include:
- Market research analytics
- Marketing strategy
- Consumer behavior
- Brand identity
- Social media marketing
MBA – Marketing Specialization
For students who aren’t looking for a specialized degree in marketing, CU Denver also offers a fully online MBA with a Marketing specialization that focuses on building a traditional business foundation.
An MBA provides a broad background in management and administration, with an emphasis on building an advanced management career. If you choose a marketing specialization, you’ll complement your business education with a few elective courses in essential marketing topics.
Examples of course topics you’ll study as an MBA student include:
- Applied economics
- Strategic management
- Accounting
- Information systems
- Marketing dynamics
Master’s in Marketing Degree Specializations
Brand Communications in the Digital Era
In today’s evolving digital landscape, it is essential for marketers to have a strong understanding of the ways consumers connect with companies. Throughout the Brand Communications specialization, you’ll learn how to combine brand-building strategies with traditional and digital marketing tools. You’ll study topics in brand identity, integrated marketing communications, data analytics, SEO, social media marketing, and more. This specialization will prepare you for a career in a variety of marketing management roles, from advertising and promotions to public relations and brand management.
Marketing Intelligence & Strategy in the 21st Century
Great marketing is both a science and an art, and companies are in need of marketing professionals who are passionate about thinking outside the box to solve business challenges. The Marketing Intelligence and Strategy degree specialization is designed for students who are interested in leading marketing intelligence teams and developing innovative strategies that make a lasting impact. Your courses will dive into topics in big data customer relationship management, marketing research, branding integration, consumer psychology, IT applications, and more. You’ll discover how to balance strategy and intelligence to develop successful marketing plans based on consumer data and market insights.
Marketing & Global Sustainability
Now more than ever, companies around the globe need to focus on developing smart, sustainable brands that can lead the way into the future. The Marketing and Global Sustainability specialization focuses on the role of sustainable marketing in for-profit and nonprofit companies from a global perspective. Throughout your courses, you’ll gain valuable insight into corporate social responsibility, sustainable business practices, life-cycle analysis, corporate sustainability reporting, global climate change, and sustainability as a competitive advantage. Your global sustainability specialization will prepare you for sustainable marketing management roles that allow you to make a positive impact on the world through your work.
General Marketing Track
Well-rounded and experienced marketing professionals are in high demand, and our marketing program is designed to give you the expertise you need to stand out in a competitive job market. If your career goals aren’t aligned with one of our three specializations, you’ll have the opportunity to customize your marketing degree program to match your unique interests. Your general marketing program gives you the ability to choose your own electives in areas such as marketing communication strategy, digital media, marketing analytics, global sustainability, and more. You’ll develop a deep understanding of the digital marketing tools and strategies you need to confidently move into leadership roles within a marketing team.
AACSB Accreditation
The CU Denver Business School is accredited by AACSB International, a global nonprofit association that is committed to providing excellence in education for future business leaders. This accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools, with less than five percent of the world’s business programs obtaining AACSB accreditation. As an AACSB accredited degree, the Master’s in Marketing program must meet rigorous academic standards and commit to providing high-quality education through strategic curriculum design and dynamic thought leadership.
Master’s in Marketing Curriculum Overview
Our MS in Marketing curriculum is designed to provide the training and expertise necessary for you to succeed in marketing management careers, from mid-level roles as a Brand Manager or Marketing Analyst to upper-level positions as a VP of Marketing or Chief Marketing Officer. Throughout your marketing master’s degree, you’ll gain unique insight into the complexities of marketing and learn how to develop creative solutions to today’s market problems.
Our core curriculum focuses on essential marketing skills such as marketing communication, consumer insights, brand building, marketing analytics, and marketing strategy. Along with foundational courses in marketing management, you’ll gain hands-on experience using advanced digital marketing tools such as Google Analytics, Markstrat, Qualtrics, Excel, SPSS/SAS, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to tailor your degree with one of our three career-focused specializations, or customize your program with three graduate marketing electives of your choice.
MS in Marketing Core Courses (21 credits)
As a Master’s in Marketing student, you’ll be required to complete the following core courses:
- Marketing Dynamics in the 21st Century (BUSN 6560)
- Marketing Strategy (MKTG 6010)
- Marketing Challenges at the Global Frontier (MKTG 6020)
- Services Marketing for Traditional and Creative Industries (MKTG 6040)
- Market Research Analytics I (MKTG 6050)
- Consumer Intelligence – Psychology and Behavior (MKTG 6060)
- CRM, Big Data, and Marketing Metrics (MKTG 6200)
Brand Communication in the Digital Era Specialization (9 credits)
To complete this specialization, you’ll take the following courses:
- Brand Identity & Marketing Communication Strategy (MKTG 6070)
- Digital Media Marketing – Tools and Analytics (MKTG 6092)
- One additional MKTG 6000 or higher elective course
Marketing Intelligence and Strategy in the 21st Century Specialization (9 credits)
Students who select this specialization must complete the following courses:
- Brand Identity & Marketing Communication Strategy (MKTG 6070)
- Big Data Customer Relationship Management (MKTG 6090)
- One additional MKTG 6000 or higher elective course
Marketing and Global Sustainability Specialization (9 credits)
As a Marketing & Global Sustainability student, you’ll complete the following required course:
- Marketing & Global Sustainability (MKTG 6830)
You’ll also choose two of the following elective courses:
- Managing for Sustainability (MGMT 6821)
- Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (MGMT 6822)
- Business for a Better World (MGMT 6826)
- Global Climate Change (MGMT 6827)
General Marketing Track (9 credits)
If you’re interested in pursuing a more general marketing path, you’ll have the ability to customize your degree to fit your interests by choosing any three graduate-level marketing electives. General marketing elective options may include courses in market research, marketing strategy, data analytics, and digital marketing.
Master’s in Marketing Learning Outcomes
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Utilize Digital Marketing Tools – Apply the modern suite of advanced marketing tools to improve business functions and develop profitable strategies.
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Gather Data Insights – Analyze both quantitative and qualitative information to better inform strategy and find solutions for various marketing challenges.
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Create Scalable Solutions – Develop marketing strategies for global scalability as well as for specific markets based on assessment of global issues and cultural impact.
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Tell Impactful Stories – Create successful brand messaging and communications by using analytics, marketing tools, and consumer behavior to inform how you communicate with your audience.
As an MS Marketing student with CU Denver, you will have the opportunity to work with real-world clients and gain a better understanding of what it's actually like to work for a paying client. You will also have the opportunity to grow your professional experience so that when it comes time to graduate, not only do you have a graduate degree to your name, but you also have a robust portfolio of work to show for it.
– Brianna F. | MS in Marketing Online Student
Marketing Career Paths
Whether you’re making a career shift from another field or you’re a seasoned marketing professional looking to establish your career, our master’s in marketing degree will increase your marketing knowledge and help you enhance your future career prospects. You’ll not only learn the in-demand digital marketing tools and techniques that companies are looking for – you’ll also gain practical experience applying those skills through hands-on projects and internship opportunities.
Your marketing graduate degree will prepare you for a career in areas such as advertising, branding, digital marketing, marketing communications, product marketing, public relations, market research, and more. At the University of Colorado Denver, we provide opportunities to network with top marketing executives and collaborate with competitive brands at the forefront of the marketing industry, including SendGrid, Marketo, Under Armour, Ibotta, and Google.
No matter what career path you’re interested in, experienced marketing professionals are in high demand across a variety of industries. According to a study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 38% average increase in salary for marketing professionals who earn a master’s degree, and marketing professionals in management positions can expect a median salary of more than $140,000 per year.
Common Marketing Job Titles
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Product Marketing Manager
- Brand Manager
- Chief Marketing Officer
- Market Researcher
- Content Writer
- Creative Director
- Digital Marketing Specialist
- Advertising Manager
- Marketing Data Analyst
- Content Strategist
- Marketing Communications Director
- VP of Sales
- Media Relations Director
- Public Relations Director
- Social Media Manager
Business Career Connections
As a Master’s in Marketing graduate, you'll have full access to our Business Career Connections team for life. Our connections to over 300 business partners provide exclusive opportunities to network with industry leaders in the Denver metro area and beyond. With over 10 years of career advising experience, our team of experts will help you navigate the corporate recruiting process for in-demand marketing jobs.
Our career services include:
- Career workshops designed to help you perfect your resume, LinkedIn profile, and job search process
- Advising appointments to explore what your personal career path looks like, review your resume, or schedule a mock interview
- Career events that help you hone your networking skills and meet hiring managers from top companies
- Job announcements via monthly emails with the latest job and internship opportunities specific to your marketing degree
Tuition and Fees
At CU Denver, we strive to keep our tuition costs affordable so that you can get a world-class education that fits your budget. When you earn a degree, you’re not simply getting a diploma — you’re making a lifelong investment in yourself and empowering your future career. We know that affordability is an important factor, and that’s why we’re here to help you explore all of the options available to fund your education.
Our CU Denver Enrollment Team can answer any of your questions about tuition and financial aid, help you take care of the paperwork, and make sure you’re able to focus on reaching your goals. From financial aid and scholarships to corporate tuition assistance programs, we’ll work with you to find the best way to finance your CU Denver degree.
Application fee: $50 for domestic applicants; $75 for international applicants
Total tuition for the Master’s in Marketing program*:
- In-state tuition: $21,600
- Out-of-state tuition: $25,170
*Estimated tuition costs based on full credit hours for the MS in Marketing degree (30 credits). Contact our CU Denver Enrollment Team for more details.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for eligible students to use toward paying educational costs while enrolled in a CU Denver program. To determine your eligibility and apply for financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). When you submit your FAFSA, you will be considered for three types of aid: grants, work-study, and student loans. To be considered for federal financial aid, you will need to apply early and annually.
Scholarships
Once you are admitted to the University of Colorado, you’ll have access to our internal scholarship portal where you can view and apply to many funding opportunities offered by the university. Scholarship opportunities typically require an application and may have specific eligibility requirements related to a student's academic merit, financial need, community service, work experience, and more. Unlike financial aid loans, scholarships are gift aid that does not have to be repaid. As a student, you will be able to apply for scholarships every semester.
Transfer Credits
If you are applying as a transfer student, your coursework from other colleges and universities could count toward your University of Colorado degree requirements. Transferring credits to your CU Denver degree program may help you save on tuition costs and complete your degree sooner. Once you are admitted to the university, you may request a transfer credit evaluation to determine how many transfer credits are eligible to apply to your degree.
Veteran & Military Student Benefits
CU Denver is military-friendly and committed to providing service members and their families with a high-quality education that fits their distinct needs. As a CU Denver student, you will have access to the Office of Veteran & Military Student Services (VMSS), which connects veteran, active duty, reservist, National Guard, and dependent students with fundamental support, services, and resources to ensure academic and professional success.
Our veteran and military students may use both veterans benefits and financial aid to pay for their education. Military benefits with CU Denver include:
- Waived application fee
- GI Bill benefits
- Potential to be awarded credit hours for military training and experience
- Free tutoring and academic support
Connect with our CU Denver Enrollment Team to learn more about the benefits and financial assistance available to military and veteran students.
Admissions
Our online MS in Marketing degree is designed for people from any academic background who are looking to build their marketing career, so students from all undergraduate majors are welcome to apply. As you take the first step toward earning your graduate degree, our CU Denver Enrollment Team is available to guide you through the application process. We’re here to help answer your questions about admission requirements, application deadlines, start dates, financial aid, international student support and resources, and more.
Prerequisites
In order to apply to the Master of Science in Marketing program, you will need to have completed an undergraduate degree in any field from an accredited institution. No prerequisite courses are needed to join the program.
Admission Requirements
Once you’re ready to apply to the Master’s in Marketing program, you’ll need to submit the following application materials by the deadline:
- $50 application fee for domestic applicants; $75 fee for international applicants
- Online application
- Official transcripts from every college or university attended
- Essay responses
- Resume/CV
- Letters of recommendation, if applicable
- GRE or GMAT test scores, if required
- English Language Proficiency scores (international applicants only)
When you’re ready to apply to the MS in Marketing program, your dedicated CU Denver Enrollment Team will help walk you through the entire process, from gathering required materials and submitting your application to checking your admission status and enrolling in CU Denver. After you submit your completed application and required materials, you will be able to check your admission status online. You’ll receive a final admission decision by email within two to three weeks of completing your application.
If you have additional questions about admission requirements for the MS in Marketing program or would like help starting an application, connect with our CU Denver Enrollment Team for more details.
Completion Time
To graduate with your master’s degree in marketing, you’ll be required to complete a total of 30 credit hours (10 courses). Our 8-week online courses are optimized for online learning, allowing you to focus on one course at a time and build on the skills you learn throughout your degree program. Our flexible start dates in the fall, spring, and summer semesters allow you to begin working toward your marketing master’s degree as soon as you’re ready.
Our marketing curriculum is designed to equip you with the in-demand skills and practical experience you need to build a successful marketing career, whether you’re a seasoned marketing professional or you’re looking to make a career change. Many of our students choose to complete their degree on a part-time basis while continuing to work full-time. We allow students to take up to five years to complete their degree, but part-time students who take one course per 8-week term can expect to complete their degree as fast as 24 months.
Do I need to live near Denver, Colorado to complete this degree?
The Master’s in Marketing program from CU Denver is offered 100% online, which means you will never be required to attend classes in-person and you will have the flexibility to complete your degree from anywhere. Our asynchronous courses and innovative online learning technologies give you access to the best education that the University of Colorado Denver has to offer at the time and place that’s right for you. You’ll be able to share ideas with your classmates, collaborate on projects, and connect directly with faculty through Canvas, our easy-to-use remote learning platform.
As you start your CU Denver program, our student support team will offer guidance regarding any technical requirements for the online Master’s in Marketing degree, help you register for courses, provide useful academic resources, and more. We’re here to offer the support and encouragement you need not just to make it to graduation, but to enjoy your journey along the way.
Graduate Events
- Sign up for a one-on-one informational meetings via phone and Zoom.
- Check out upcoming virtual Business School events, including program information sessions.
Apply Now
As you consider an online education, we understand that it’s important for you to know that you’re getting a high-quality, affordable, and flexible online education that helps you reach your goals. That’s why our CU Denver Enrollment Team is available to offer guidance and answer any questions that you may have about our degree programs, financial aid options, transfer information, admissions requirements, and more.
Whether you want to talk through your degree plans, learn more about a specific program, or start your application, our CU Denver Enrollment Team will provide friendly support as you decide if CU Denver is the right fit for your future.
Ready to get started? Take the first step toward earning your online degree by calling us at 303-860-5604 or filling out the form above for more information.