Master of Marketing FAQs

Thinking about the Master of Marketing? This page covers the questions we hear most, from program structure and curriculum to admissions requirements and career outcomes.

Have a question not answered here? Feel free to email us anytime at [email protected].

 

Overview

The Master of Marketing (MMKTG) is a full-time, 32-credit, on-campus master’s degree focused on essential skills in digital marketing, brand strategy, customer experience and marketing analytics, designed to prepare students for strategic, hands-on marketing roles.

The program is intended for recent college graduates from all majors and early-career professionals who aim to build deep expertise in digital channels, brand management, customer insights and analytics-driven marketing.

Earn your degree in nine months. You’ll complete the program in two terms—fall and spring. This is a full-time, on-campus experience designed for immersion. We do not offer part-time or online options.

The program has a single annual intake, commencing each fall semester.

The Master of Marketing program is designed for recent college graduates and those with limited work experience, typically ranging from 0 to 3 years. No work experience is required for admission.

No. The Master of Marketing program is not STEM-designated and therefore not eligible for the STEM OPT extension.

The Master of Marketing is a full-time, 32-credit on-campus program designed for recent college graduates and early-career professionals. You will gain in-depth academic and practical marketing knowledge to prepare for a rewarding career in any sector. The program takes nine months to complete.

While we cannot offer specific comparisons, our program features:

  • Cohort format: You learn with a community of peers who share your professional goals.
  • Nine-month completion: Our program is accelerated. You start in the fall and finish in the spring.
  • World-class faculty: Learn from recognized experts in the marketing field.
  • Lifetime career support: Receive personalized coaching from the Graduate Business Career Center.
  • Real-world experience: Solve actual business challenges with senior management at top companies through the Carlson Brand Enterprise.

It depends on your goals.

  • Master of Marketing: Best if you want specialized, in-depth marketing knowledge. It is an accelerated nine-month program that requires no work experience.
  • MBA: Best if you want broad business knowledge and the option to specialize in areas like finance or entrepreneurship. It takes two years and requires at least two years of work experience.

Still unsure? Schedule an appointment with our recruitment team.

No. We do not offer dual degrees with the Master of Marketing.

No. The program is strictly full-time, on-campus, and cohort-based. It runs for nine months with weekday classes.

No. We welcome students from all academic and professional backgrounds.

Yes. We design the program for recent graduates and those with one to three years of experience. Work experience is not required.

No. This is a full-time, on-campus program with daytime classes.

Yes. However, please note that the program requires a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree equivalent and is not STEM-designated.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent to a U.S. four‑year degree) from a recognized institution and have completed at least one college‑level statistics course (grade C or higher) before orientation on August 15. Required application materials include a résumé, essays, a video interview and two recommendations.

While there is no minimum GPA or test score requirement, you can review our class profile to see the typical academic background and test scores of enrolled students.

Work experience is not required. Students in the program typically have 0–3 years of work experience, and the curriculum is built to support recent graduates and early-career professionals.

No, GMAT or GRE scores are optional and are not required for admission consideration.

There are five application deadlines, running from December 1 through July 15. For international applicants outside the United States, April 1 is the final deadline. View requirements & deadlines.

Yes, an undergraduate degree can be from any field, provided it is equivalent to a U.S. 4-year bachelor's degree.

The Minnesota Carlson Master of Marketing is a 9-month program built on applied learning. Located in the Twin Cities, the school puts you in the center of a thriving business ecosystem. A key part of the curriculum is the Carlson Brand Enterprise. In this full-semester consulting project, you work directly with real companies on live marketing challenges. You connect with major employers and alumni who are actively involved in the classroom.

The Master of Marketing program uses a holistic admissions process, considering every part of your application—academic transcripts, résumé, personal statement and recommendations. There is no minimum GPA requirement, and international applicants must provide proof of English proficiency unless eligible for a Graduate School exemption.

Requirements include: a first university degree equivalent to a U.S. 4-year bachelor’s, at least one college-level statistics course, a current résumé, essays, a video interview and two recommendations. Proof of English proficiency is required if applicable, along with the application fee. View requirements & deadlines.

Yes. Applicants must complete at least one semester of college-level statistics before orientation (prior to August 15). View program prerequisites.

Application deadlines and decision release dates can be found on the Requirements and Deadlines webpage for the Master of Marketing Program.

Admission to the Master of Marketing program is selective, emphasizing strong communication skills, demonstrated marketing interest and alignment with our experiential learning model. While exact admission rates are not publicly shared, you can explore our class profile to learn more about the backgrounds and experiences of our students.

Cohort size vary year-to-year. The program is a tight-knit, small-group feel rather than a large class structure. View full class profile.

Admitted students may request a deferral by contacting the program directly. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Email the admissions team to discuss your specific situation and options.

Enrollment is program-specific, and students cannot transfer between the Master of Marketing and the Full-Time MBA programs. Admission offers are also not transferable. If you decide to pursue a different degree, you’ll need to submit a separate application.

If you’re unsure which program best fits your goals, we encourage you to connect with our recruiting team before applying to ensure you choose the right path from the start.

No. The application is specific to the MMKTG. If you wish to be considered for other programs, you are required to submit those applications separately.

You must meet two main academic requirements :

  • Bachelor's Degree: You must hold a first university degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree.
  • Statistics Proficiency: You must complete at least one college-level statistics course with a passing grade before you enroll (by August 15). You do not need to finish this course before you apply. You can fulfill this requirement through college coursework or an approved online certificate (e.g., Coursera). View all Master of Marketing prerequisites.

Yes. You do not need work experience to enroll. We designed the program for recent college graduates and those with one to three years of experience.

Both international and domestic applicants whose primary language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency. Visit the Office of Graduate Admissions website for specific requirements and exemption criteria.

Submission of GMAT or GRE scores is optional. Applicants are not required to provide standardized test results for admission consideration. However, candidates may choose to include valid scores if they believe these metrics strengthen their overall profile.

Yes. Applicants are required to submit two recommendations. While these may come from either professional or academic sources, the program strongly prefers that candidates with professional experience include at least one recommendation from a current or former supervisor.

A non-refundable application fee is required for all candidates: $75 for U.S. citizens and $95 for international applicants or U.S. residents with foreign credentials. This fee is automatically waived for applicants with active duty service in the U.S. military.

The application opens in September for the following fall term.

The program operates on a staged admissions cycle with multiple rounds, and decisions are released in batches approximately two months after each deadline. Deadlines typically occur on December 1, February 1, April 1 (final deadline for international applicants), June 1, and July 15. Applications submitted after July 15 are reviewed on a space-available basis. Review the Application Requirements page for the most current dates and details.

We do not publish admission rates. Review our class profile to gauge your competitiveness.

We do not have a set number of seats or an international student quota.

Contact [email protected] to discuss your deferral options.

No. You cannot switch between programs.

No. You must submit a separate application for each program.

Tuition & Aid

Current Tuition and Fee information is posted on the program's website. Tuition for the upcoming academic year is announced in July.

Yes! Merit-based scholarships are available. All applicants are automatically considered during the admissions review. No separate application is required.

Graduate and teaching assistantships are not offered as part of the admissions process.

Yes. Financial aid options include federal student loans (if eligible), private loans, and potential employer tuition benefit programs. View tuition & aid page for more detailed information.

For the Fall 2026 cohort, estimated total tuition is approximately $32,000 for Minnesota residents and $40,000 for non-residents. View all tuition and fees.

Yes, merit-based scholarships for both domestic and international candidates. All applicants are automatically considered for these limited awards during the admissions review process, so no separate application is required. Scholarship decisions are released with admission offers, and applying early is recommended to maximize funding opportunities.

The program does not offer graduate or teaching assistantships as part of the admissions process. Due to the rigorous full-time schedule, students are advised to delay pursuing these commitments until after the program begins.

Financial aid options include federal student loans (if eligible), private loans, personal funding, employer tuition benefit programs and the available scholarships.

Students typically use a combination of loans, scholarships, personal savings, and, if applicable, employer tuition support to finance the program.

For the Fall 2026 cohort, the estimated total tuition is approximately $32,000 for Minnesota residents and $40,000 for non-residents. These figures reflect a new lower tuition rate for the 2026–2027 academic year. Students should also budget for standard university fees, books, health insurance, and living expenses, which are distinct from tuition. Since tuition rates are finalized annually by the Board of Regents, view the Tuition & Aid page for the most current cost-of-attendance estimates.

Yes. Residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Manitoba, Canada, are eligible for reciprocity.

Total cost of attendance covers tuition, fees, housing, and personal expenses. Actual totals vary by program, residency, and lifestyle. Use the charts at onestop.umn.edu/finances/costs/cost-attendance to estimate your specific costs.

Curriculum

It is a 32-credit program. All students complete the same required courses, including:

  • Marketing Management
  • Business Fundamentals for Marketing
  • Advertising & Promotion
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Customer Experience Management
  • Project Management
  • Buyer Behavior
  • Digital Marketing
  • Marketing Intelligence
  • Brand Enterprise
  • Marketing Analytics (Decision Making & Insights)
  • Brand Strategy
  • Strategic Marketing

View the curriculum.

The program features a built-in experiential learning component through the Carlson Brand Enterprise. Instead of a traditional internship or capstone, you will complete a semester-long project consulting for real clients on actual business challenges.

Students work in cross-functional teams to solve strategic marketing and business challenges for real clients through the Carlson Brand Enterprise.

The program is full-time, in-person, and cohort-based with a fixed daytime schedule. Fridays are typically reserved for workshops and career events. Evening, weekend, and online options are not offered.

The Master of Marketing is a full-time, 9-month program comprising 32 credits over one academic year (Fall and Spring). Classes are held in-person during the day on weekdays, with Fridays typically reserved for career workshops and events. The curriculum follows a lock-step cohort model, divided into 7-week A and B terms. View the curriculum page for a sample schedule.

Core courses include: Marketing Intelligence, Buyer Behavior, Digital Marketing, Marketing Analytics I & II, Customer Relationship Management, Brand Strategy, Strategic Marketing and a project management course.

Yes. Students complete the Carlson Brand Enterprise, a semester-long consulting project where cross-functional teams work with real companies to solve strategic marketing challenges.

Yes. The Brand Enterprise involves real company projects. The curriculum also utilizes case studies and team projects throughout the program.

No. However, students may pursue additional qualifications sequentially by applying to other Carlson programs, such as the MBA or a graduate certificate, after completing the Master of Marketing.

Community & Career

Career services include one-on-one coaching, résumé and interview preparation, employer information sessions, job-search assistance and networking opportunities via the Carlson Business Career Center.

Graduates pursue roles in brand management, digital marketing, marketing analytics, customer insights, product marketing, advertising and marketing strategy across various industries. View Master of Marketing employment statistics.

The program connects students with major hiring companies in consumer goods, technology, consulting, retail and digital marketing agencies.

The Master of Marketing is an intensive 9‑month, full‑time program, so internships during the program are less common. However, many students gain valuable project experience throughout the curriculum and receive full‑time job offers shortly before or soon after graduation.

Networking is facilitated through client consulting projects, employer events, the alumni network, guest speaker sessions and the support of the Carlson Business Career Center.

Designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals, the typical cohort has an average age of 23 and 0–2 years of work experience. Students join from a variety of academic backgrounds, including business, social sciences and the humanities. View full class profile.

You can join a wide range of graduate business clubs and affinity groups, including specialized marketing and consulting associations. These organizations offer frequent opportunities to serve in leadership roles, manage events and connect with the Twin Cities business community. View all Clubs & Organizations.

Students receive lifetime career services through the Carlson Business Career Center, including one-on-one coaching with a designated coach, résumé building, interviewing skills and employer information sessions.

Graduates secure roles in brand management, digital marketing, marketing analytics, customer insights and product marketing. Recruiters include major companies in consumer goods, technology, consulting, retail and digital marketing agencies. View Master of Marketing employment statistics.

The network is accessible through client projects, employer events and the comprehensive lifetime career services provided by the Carlson Business Career Center.

Students experience a fast-paced, lock-step curriculum within a close-knit cohort, fostering a strong sense of community. The daily environment is highly collaborative, defined by team-based coursework and real-world consulting projects. Throughout the program, students are supported by dedicated faculty and 1:1 coaching from the Carlson Business Career Center.

Student Life

Cohort size vary year-to-year. The program is an intimate cohort rather than a large class structure. The class of 2025 had 30 graduates. View full class profile.

Students are encouraged to join a wide range of graduate organizations, including professional groups like the Sports Business Club and affinity networks like the Graduate Women in Business. These clubs provide opportunities to hold leadership positions, manage budgets, and connect with the broader Twin Cities business community.

Yes. Students engage with industry through client projects, guest speakers, events and the resources of the Carlson Business Career Center.

Collaboration occurs through team-based assignments, the semester-long consulting project, class discussions and peer work in small groups.

To help students navigate the fast-paced curriculum, the program fosters a close-knit cohort environment supported by dedicated faculty mentors. Students receive 1:1 guidance from the Carlson Business Career Center to balance their academic workload with recruitment. Additionally, they have access to broader university resources for academic skills and personal wellness.

We do not offer assistantships as part of admission. We recommend waiting until the program starts to see if you can manage the workload before applying for positions through the Office of Human Resources.

We generally advise against working. The rigorous 16-credit per semester schedule makes it difficult to balance part-time employment.