Advanced study in business administration and marketing management is available through a dual degree program sponsored by the School of Business.
The dual degree Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Business with a concentration in marketing management program allows students to earn two degrees with a minimum of 63 graduate credits rather than the 75 graduate credits necessary if the two degrees were pursued separately. This efficiency lowers the overall cost of tuition while also reducing time to earning both degrees.
Prerequisite and/or foundation courses may effectively increase the number of credits needed to earn the degrees.
Program goals
The objectives of this dual degree program are to:
- Prepare individuals to be not just effective marketing professionals but also leaders and managers in today’s organizations
- Develop interpersonal and professional skills critical to business, including communication and presentation skills, leadership and management, and situational awareness, among others
- Prepare individuals to not just identify strategic issues from evaluating marketing programs but also to develop solutions considering the implications to the firm overall
- Prepare individuals to better utilize and incorporate their knowledge of branding, analytics, consumers and the competitive environment in managerial decisions benefiting the firm
Among the many benefits offered by participation in the dual degree program are the following:
- Complementing the general management skills obtained in the M.B.A. with a solid specialization in marketing management
- Enhanced ability to effectively compete for managerial positions not just in marketing but across a wide spectrum of levels and areas in today’s organizations
- Enhanced job prospects — particularly for candidates intending to switch careers or striving to move up within their organizations
- The ability to effectively complete both degrees within a shorter time frame with considerable time and tuition savings through the 12 shared credits
The diplomas for this dual degree program may be awarded sequentially or simultaneously. Students are not required to begin both programs in the same semester, but must be enrolled in both degrees for at least one semester prior to graduation from either program for credits to be shared across programs.
Student learning outcomes
See each degree program page for student learning outcomes.
Other information
Advising
A program manager will serve as an adviser and administrative liaison for students. The assigned program manager will assist in developing a plan of study to meet the curriculum requirements of both programs. A faculty adviser from the Department of Marketing will help students consider electives that will best serve their professional goals.
Admission requirements
Students must officially apply and be admitted to each degree program separately before the pursuit of the dual degree program may begin. It is not required to begin both programs in the same semester. View the application requirements for each program for additional details.
Degree requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 63 total credits to earn the Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Business with a concentration in marketing management. Students without sufficient background in marketing may be required to first complete prerequisite course work.
A total of 12 credits may be counted toward both programs:
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MKTG 657 | Market Planning Project (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management (core requirement for both degrees) | 3 |
| MKTG 672 | Influencing Consumer Behavior (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 675 | Digital Marketing (core requirement for M.S.; satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
The diplomas for this dual degree program may be awarded sequentially or simultaneously.
Curriculum requirements for the dual degree
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| M.B.A. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management (core requirement for both degrees) | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management | 3 |
| • Electives | ||
| Satisfied by MKTG 657, MKTG 672 and MKTG 675 | 9 | |
| M.S. requirements | ||
| • Required courses | ||
| MKTG 657 | Market Planning Project (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management (core requirement for both degrees) | 3 |
| MKTG 672 | Influencing Consumer Behavior (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 675 | Digital Marketing (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 679 | Brand Strategy | 3 |
| • Approved electives | 15 | |
| Select five from the following: 1 | ||
| Business Policy and Strategy | ||
| Negotiations | ||
| Entrepreneurship | ||
| Corporate Entrepreneurship | ||
| International Marketing | ||
| Marketing Research | ||
| Service Quality Management | ||
| Marketing Analytics | ||
| Topics in Marketing | ||
| Field Project in Marketing | ||
| Global Supply Chain Management | ||
| Total Hours | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Students may also chose up to two 500- or 600- level courses. These courses should be selected to supplement learning in an area of student interest, and they must be approved by the program adviser.
Sample plan of study
What follows is an example plan that meets the prescribed requirements. Students may work with their adviser to consider an individual enrollment plan that best meets their goals. Part-time enrollment and summer courses may be considered.
| Year one | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ACCT 507 | Fundamentals of Accounting | 3 |
| FIRE 520 | Financial Concepts of Management | 3 |
| INFO 664 | Information Systems for Business Intelligence | 3 |
| SCMA 524 | Statistical Fundamentals for Business Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON 610 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| INFO 661 | Information Systems for Managers | 3 |
| MGMT 641 | Leading People and Organizations | 3 |
| SCMA 675 | Operations Management | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year two | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| ACCT 608 | Managerial Accounting Concepts | 3 |
| FIRE 623 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MGMT 642 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| MKTG 671 | Marketing Management (core requirement for both degrees) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| MKTG 657 | Market Planning Project (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 672 | Influencing Consumer Behavior (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| Approved marketing electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Year three | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| MKTG 675 | Digital Marketing (satisfies M.B.A. elective) | 3 |
| MKTG 679 | Brand Strategy | 3 |
| Approved marketing electives | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Approved marketing elective | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 3 | |
| Total Hours: | 63 | |
The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this dual degree is 63.
Contact
Austen Gouldman
gouldmana@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Additional contact
Graduate Studies in Business
gsib@vcu.edu
(804) 828-4622
Program website: business.vcu.edu/academics/mba-options