Abdeali Saherwala | Staff Writer
Featured image: The new degree program will provide students with unique and real-world opportunities in marketing. | Basma Elbahnasawy
The Schulich School of Business will officially launch a Master of Marketing (MMKG) program in September, which will take one year to complete. The program is said to be the first Master’s program in Canada specifically designed to prepare graduates to take on progressive marketing roles.
“The Master of Marketing degree is the first Master’s program in Canada specifically designed to train university graduates in professional marketing skills. The degree will enhance the Schulich School of Business as a worldwide leader in business education,” says Dr. David Rice, program director and associate professor of Marketing at Schulich.
Rice has been part of a special task force for over 18 months that has been developing the MMKG’s curriculum and program structure. After the program was completely designed, Rice was appointed program director.
Rice has been a Marketing professor at Schulich for 33 years, and has served as a marketing consultant for a number of Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft, Dell, Intel, Procter & Gamble, Eli Lilly, General Mills, and The World Bank.
“The program will enable students to enter a graduate program in marketing directly after completing their undergraduate program. Unlike the MBA, there is no requirement for work experience. We believe the program is important, as it allows students to obtain hands-on skills, and enter the workforce in a professional capacity, after a one-year graduate degree,” he says.
The MMKG will concentrate on all areas of modern marketing techniques, “such as digital marketing, marketing communications, consumer behaviour, social media, advertising, strategy, and brand management,” he adds.
In order to gain real-world experience, students will have to conduct an eight-month marketing consulting project for a preexisting company in order to better prepare themselves for working in a variety of settings and company dynamics.
“The Master of Marketing is designed to prepare individuals to obtain meaningful employment in progressive marketing positions, whether in private, public, or nonprofit organizations,” says Rice.
Prospective students who are planning to apply for the program must have an undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, along with a minimum B+ average in the last two full years (or equivalent).
Furthermore, applicants with a three-year degree can be considered for admissions with one year of work or internship experience. This is not mandatory for admission, but strong previous experience is highly recommended.
“We believe the degree will be valuable for students for a wide range of undergraduate degrees and majors. For example, a graduate of an Environmental Studies program would benefit from the degree if their goal is to work in a marketing position at a public, non-profit, or governmental agency involved in environmental causes,” adds Rice.
The program is accepting applicants from a wide range of undergraduate degrees due to the broad of applications this degree can have.
“The MMKG program will uniquely prepare students with the industry knowledge and leadership skills they need to begin their careers in marketing and grow professionally in a steady upward progression,” said Rice.
“Learning from leading marketing experts, students will develop the creative thinking skills required to meet the strategic and analytical challenges of modern marketing,” he added.
The official launch party for MMKG will be held at Schulich on February 15, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will offer students the opportunity to learn about the degree, its requirements, materials or topics that it will cover, and will also provide a chance to network.
