Marketing BSBA / Strategic & Digital Communication MS

Major: Marketing and Strategic & Digital Communications
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Business Administration (BSBA) and Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 225.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five Years)
BSBA Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 52.1401
BSBA Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2021
MS Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 09.0909
MS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-2011

About the Program

The accelerated degree program combining the Marketing major and the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication degrees, allows academically qualified students to earn both their BSBA (Marketing major) and their MS in Strategic and Digital Communication in five years.

BSBA in Marketing

Marketing is one of the most dynamic areas of business because it focuses on satisfying the ever-changing wants and needs of people. Professional marketers research and identify target audiences, develop products and services, formulate pricing strategies, develop advertising and promotional campaigns, and implement methods of distribution so that customers receive products and services where and when they want them. The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most sought-after skills by prospective employers industry wide. Graduates of the accelerated degree enter the workforce one year sooner with the benefits of a master’s degree in strategic and digital communication, using the year saved to gain full-time experience and earn a salary in the field.

A major in marketing prepares students for the many opportunities that exist in product and brand management, marketing research, advertising, digital marketing, customer analytics, retailing, channel management, logistics and physical distribution, professional personal selling and sales management, purchasing, wholesaling, marketing planning and analysis, public relations, marketing entrepreneurship, and new-product development.

For more information about the major, contact the Department of Marketing.

MS in Strategic & Digital Communication

Drexel’s Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication requires 45.0 credits, and prepares students for careers in a wide range of professional activities relating to communication in both media environments and communication contexts that are characterized by advanced digitization.

With a robust core curriculum consisting of seven courses (21.0 credits), the program provides a strong foundation in theoretical approaches to communication, ethics and media/communication policy. This theoretical basis is designed to ensure that, as the field changes, students will continue to have an intellectual framework for evaluating and implementing new technology and changing media environments. Furthermore, the program trains students in leadership skills that will help them to lead teams to be innovative communication professionals in digitized media environments and different organizational communication contexts.

The program emphasizes flexibility, encouraging each student, in consultation with a faculty advisor, to craft an individual course of study tailored to the student’s individual interests and career goals. Throughout the curriculum, students use four Communication electives (12.0 credits) to increase communication skills or to further develop areas of specialization. An additional four free elective courses (12.0 credits) can be taken in Communication or in other departments across the university, allowing students to continue to tailor their plan of study. 

The program specializes in two areas:

• Strategic communication (public relations)
• Digital and social media communication

Strategic Communication

Strategic Communication has much to offer for those looking to work in public relations as well as for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Students typically choose from courses such as PR Writing and Planning courses, Crisis Communication, Media Relations, Nonprofit Communication, and others.

Digital Communication

With Communication being an area characterized by ongoing digitization, the program offers courses such as Strategic Social Media Communication, Digital Publishing, Digital Media Environments, Social Media Concepts that Matter, and others.

For additional information, visit the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication web page. Contact Julia May, Director of the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication Program at julia.may@drexel.edu for more information.

Admission Requirements

Both incoming freshmen and current Marketing (MKTG) majors are eligible to apply for this program. Students who are already matriculated may apply after completing a minimum of 90.0 credits but no more than 120.0 credits. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain this GPA throughout the program.

In addition to formally applying, already matriculated applicants must provide:

• The name of two faculty references who can speak to the applicant’s academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies.
• A writing sample consisting of a written response to a series of questions about the applicant's interest in the program.
• A brief 2-3-minute video in which the applicant introduces himself/herself to the admissions committee and discusses their career goals.

Applicants who already received preliminary acceptance in the accelerated degree program as freshmen should finish the application process after completing a minimum of 90.0 undergraduate credits but no more than 120.0 credits with a GPA of 3.0. Students accepted as incoming freshmen need to submit:

• The name of one faculty reference who can speak to the applicant's academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies. The admissions committee might request the name of a second reference as needed. 
• A writing sample consisting of a written response to a series of questions about the applicant's interest in the program.

Applications are due by the end of week 6 for a program start in the following quarter. Example: If you intend to start the program in the Winter quarter, your application is due by the end of week 6 in the Fall quarter. Please reach out to the program director, Dr. Julia May, as soon as you decide to apply so we can assist you throughout the application process.  

For more information contact Dr. Julia May, Director of the MS in Strategic and Digital Communication Program at julia.may@drexel.edu. 

Degree Requirements

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

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Students can select up to 12.0 credits of graduate-level electives (500-799) in the following subject areas: (AADM, AAML, ACCT, BUSN, CCM, CHP, COM, CRTV, CW, DIGM, ECON, EDAM, EDHE, EDLT, EDUC, ENTP, ENVP, ENVS, EOH, HMP, HRM, LING, MGMT, MKTG, MUSL, NPM, ORGB, PBHL, PLCY, PROJ, PRST, RMER, SCRP, SCTS, SMT, TVMN). Other graduate courses outside these areas might be taken pending approval from the graduate advisor or program director.

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plan of Study

4+1, 1 co-op (Accelerated program completed in 5 years)

Students complete undergraduate requirements in four years, then convert to graduate status in the fifth and final year.

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Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.