Our MBA Marketing Concentration

As you research graduate degrees in marketing, consider which programs will give you career flexibility. An MBA is a versatile degree that can be applied to a variety of careers – and a degree program with a marketing concentration offers even more options. 

Unlike an MBA from a traditional school of business, our MBA is cross-functional. Even though you choose the marketing concentration, you will still learn the fundamentals of all aspects of business – from finance to management systems. Choosing a specialized MBA marketing degree that only includes the study of marketing can limit your perspective for effective management decision-making and career flexibility. 

Our program offers a close look at the differing needs of business, public, and non-profit organizations. Pursue a master’s degree that gives you options with Willamette MBA.

Willamette proudly features networking and professional development opportunities through our chapter of the American Marketing Association (AMA). Connect with industry professionals, attend conferences, and learn more about the latest industry trends. 

Willamette also offers a career management service to help prepare students for life post-graduation. We offer career counseling, an extensive internship program, mentors, resume writing consulting, interview training, salary negotiation training, and more. You can even visit company sites to connect with hiring managers.

Marketing graduates go on to pursue a diverse array of roles. Our alumni have distinguished themselves in positions such as Director of Marketing, Public Relations Manager, Account Executive, Marketing Analyst, and Product Manager. Their achievements span from roles in marketing communications to executive leadership positions. Notably, our graduates have also excelled as Marketing Research Managers, E-business Marketing Managers, Consultants, and Sales Managers. 

Willamette's program is so successful because we combine core principles with industry trends. By combining traditional knowledge with real-life learning, our program will offer a competitive advantage to those in the job market. 

Our core curriculum will help students gain a deeper understanding of all things related to business, public, and non-profit companies. For students interested in a marketing career, we offer tailored courses to help individuals propel their careers. Some of the marketing elective courses offered as part of the Marketing concentration at Willamette's MBA program include:

GSM 6004 - E-commerce and Digital Marketing Analytics

• This course is a hands-on learning opportunity where students participate in the Google Online Marketing Challenge (GOMC). They run real keyword advertising campaigns for organizations, gaining hands-on experience in digital marketing. The course covers topics like keyword planning, A-B testing, and statistical analysis.

GSM 6020 - Marketing Analytics

• Marketing is increasingly data-driven, and this course focuses on teaching students how to leverage data for marketing decision-making. This course explores tools such as Excel, Tableau, Google Analytics, and Adobe Analytics. Students also have the option to participate in the Adobe Analytics Challenge, where they solve real business problems with Big Data.

GSM 6231 - Strategic Marketing for Private & Public NFP Organizations

• This course delves into the unique challenges of marketing for not-for-profit organizations. Students learn to build productive relationships with donors and clients, emphasizing value creation.

GSM 6260 - Research for Marketing Decisions

• Marketing research is a cornerstone of effective marketing. This course teaches students how to gather, analyze, and interpret data to support decision-making. It emphasizes systematic and objective investigation.

GSM 6261 - Marketing Strategy

• In this course, students explore strategic marketing and the formulation of marketing strategies. They work on case studies and use a computer simulation called Markstrat to gain practical experience. 

GSM 7251 - Internship

• Students can earn up to three semesters of internships for academic credit. A marketing internship enhances a student's resume, network, and professional experience.

Faculty members carefully craft these elective courses and core courses to provide students with a well-rounded education in marketing. By combining traditional and modern marketing principles, graduates will be prepared to work in all types of industries. 

We're proud to incorporate hands-on learning throughout our program. Students can take up to three semesters of internships for academic credit. This allows students to gain real-world experience while acquiring knowledge and skills within their MBA courses.

All students will complete a hands-on learning course. First-year students take the two-semester PACE course where they provide consulting services and solve real problems for non-profit clients. Second-year students can select innovative elective courses with client projects and our hallmark experiential courses including our hallmark courses such as Angel Investing, Philanthropic Investment, and  Student Investment Fund.