Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication Online

Strengthen your ability to persuade audiences to accept, appreciate and gravitate toward your brand, product or message with the expertise you will gain in the Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication online program from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Apply by 12/7/24
Start class 1/13/25 Apply Now
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Program Overview

Find out more about this M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication


Learn to create consistent messaging across all channels and produce a unified brand experience for consumers with the advanced knowledge, cutting-edge tools and business insights you will gain in the Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication online program. In an era of information overload, savvy consumers and user-generated content, IMC addresses the shortcomings of siloed approaches to advertising, public relations, promotions, etc., and equips graduates with a strategic framework for unifying and managing all organizational communication.

With the growing need for on-demand consumer interaction, more and more organizations are seeking qualified candidates with expanded marketing communication skills. This online master's program is ideal for recent college graduates who want to further their knowledge and expertise before entering the workforce, mid-career professionals who aspire to move up the ladder and military members with a keen interest in IMC who are transitioning into civilian life and pursuing professional growth.

The expert faculty at UNCW are the same educators who teach on campus, and they have carefully designed a broad-based online curriculum for this 100% online program—the only IMC-focused graduate program in North Carolina—that gives you a vital background in IMC concepts and strategies applicable to a wide range of industries.

The M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication online program also features an applied learning project. This experience gives you the opportunity to participate in an IMC academic conference (for years ending with an odd number).

In this master’s in integrated marketing communication online program, you will:

  • Plan, write, execute and evaluate an integrated marketing communication plan and effectively present it to a professional audience
  • Learn to apply quantitative, qualitative and rhetorical research methods to communication decisions
  • Examine the connections between the culture, brand and identity of an organization and how they are communicated to organizational stakeholders
  • Understand the relationship of diversity and inclusion to integrated marketing communications through, digital storytelling, advertising, public relations, and events and experiential marketing
  • Learn how to communicate brand identity through the use of digital media
  • Plan, write, execute and evaluate an integrated marketing communication plan and effectively present it to a professional audience
  • Learn to apply quantitative, qualitative and rhetorical research methods to communication decisions
  • Examine the connections between the culture, brand and identity of an organization and how they are communicated to organizational stakeholders
  • Understand the relationship of diversity and inclusion to integrated marketing communications through, digital storytelling, advertising, public relations, and events and experiential marketing
  • Learn how to communicate brand identity through the use of digital media

Career paths for graduates of this IMC master’s program include:

  • Marketing Manager
  • Public Relations Director
  • Social Media Manager
  • Digital Product Manager
  • Business Strategy Consultant
  • Marketing Manager
  • Public Relations Director
  • Social Media Manager
  • Digital Product Manager
  • Business Strategy Consultant

Also available:

UNCW offers a variety of online degrees. View all our online programs.

Total Tuition $11,537.40*
Duration As few as 12 months**
Credit Hours 30

Affiliation:

National Communication Association

UNCW is proud to be a member of the National Communication Association (NCA) a not-for-profit scholarly society dedicated to promoting free and ethical communication and the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life since 1914.

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Need More Information?

Call 855-306-4734

Call 855-306-4734

Tuition

Invest in your future with our pay-by-the-course tuition


Designed to be affordable and convenient, our tuition is an outstanding value and far less of a financial investment than many other North Carolina universities. We also offer pay-by-the-course tuition for our online programs. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year pending legislative approval. View more information on your cost of attendance.

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $11,537.40*

Advantages of earning your M.A. in IMC

Graduate from our immersive online M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication program as a more thoughtful, ethical and effective communication professional.

Flexible Online M.A. in IMC

Our accelerated courses are accessible whenever and wherever, so you can balance professional and personal obligations with maximum flexibility.

Calendar

Don’t miss these important deadlines


The M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring rolling admissions and six start dates each year. Choose the start date that works best for you.

TermProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/21/249/21/249/28/2410/23/2410/24/2412/8/24
Spring 11/13/2512/7/2412/14/241/15/251/16/253/2/25
Spring 23/10/252/8/252/15/253/12/253/13/254/27/25
Summer 15/12/254/12/254/19/255/14/255/15/256/29/25
Summer 26/30/255/24/255/31/257/2/257/3/258/17/25

Students must register for courses by 5 p.m. (EST) on the registration deadline date.
Students must remit tuition payment by 10 a.m. (EST) on the tuition deadline date.

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 12/7/24
Class Starts 1/13/25

Admissions

Get ready to apply


To apply for this master’s in integrated marketing communication online program, you must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Admission Requirements:

  • Official transcripts
  • Undergraduate GPA 3.0
  • Letter of recommendation

M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication Online Admission Requirements:

  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for full admission
  • If your GPA is below 3.0, you may be admitted provisionally
    • Provisional admission requires a B or better grade in your first 4 courses
    • Provisionally admitted students are encouraged to start with one class at a time
  • One letter of recommendation to be submitted through the online application. This recommendation should be from an academic instructor OR a current or former supervisor.
  • 500-word Statement of Purpose addressing how the M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication can help you achieve your personal and professional goals

Official transcripts from all colleges/universities are required.

Electronic Method (Preferred):
Password protected transcripts may be sent directly from the institution to [email protected]

Paper Method – Official Transcripts (Envelope Sealed by the Institution):

UNCW Graduate School
Attn: Kimberly Goerne Harris
601 South College Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403-5955

Have a question? Call us at 855-306-4734.

Courses

Explore what you’ll learn in your online M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication courses


The M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication online curriculum is comprised of 10 courses (30 credit hours), including 27 credit hours of core courses and 3 credit hours of electives.

Students in the M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication online program must take the following courses.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Foundational course that addresses integrated marketing communication and branding in terms of ethics, diversity and inclusion. Topics include IMC’s history and role in organizations and relationship to communication and rhetorical theoretical approaches.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Research methods and analytics used in IMC, including quantitative, qualitative and textual/rhetorical analysis.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Overview of the types of industries, organizations and sectors using IMC and the primary challenges for each area. Topics include political brands and campaigns, sports and entertainment IMC, non-profit organizations and issue/stakeholder management, business-to-business and business-to-consumer IMC and brands, and institutional (government, healthcare, higher education) branding and IMC efforts.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Examines the connections between an organization’s culture, brand and identity and how these are communicated to organizational stakeholders.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Odd years: participation in IMC academic conference hosted by UNCW. Even years: participation in applied learning project for community nonprofit client.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Multiple approaches to communication ethics are applied to the theory and practice of integrated marketing communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Explores the issues of diversity and inclusion in integrated marketing communication organizations (agencies, practitioners) and in branding and IMC efforts by business-to-business and business-to-consumer brands.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Students will analyze and create digital media used in integrated marketing communication contexts that communicate brand identity.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Preparation for the culminating experience for the M.A. IMC program: thesis, project or portfolio.
Students must choose one of the following courses to complete their elective requirement.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Overview of the theories and practices of crisis communication as they relate to branding and integrated marketing communication.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Advanced research methods and analytics used in IMC, including quantitative, qualitative and textual/rhetorical analysis.

*Students taking a full-time course load throughout the program can complete it in as few as 12 months. Consult with your advisor.

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