About the M.S. in Marketing and Communication
The M.S. in Marketing and Communication at National Louis University prepares students to lead in today's fast-changing, technology-driven marketplace. This innovative graduate program blends creative and analytical skill development through courses in integrated marketing communications, digital strategy, AI application and ethics, branding, storytelling, and global communication. Students learn to design data-informed campaigns, craft persuasive messages, and manage cross-platform brand experiences that resonate across diverse audiences — graduating with a polished portfolio and tangible evidence of their expertise and readiness for strategic marketing and communications roles.
The M.S. in Marketing and Communication provides students with both advanced content knowledge and real-world applied experience to thrive in mid- to senior-level marketing and communications careers. Students explore core concepts in integrated marketing, digital advertising, consumer behavior, brand management, and global communication while developing competencies in data analytics, AI tools, visual storytelling, and ethical leadership.
Program Highlights
Fully Online, Flexible Format
Offered completely online in an asynchronous format with six-week terms — designed to fit the schedules of working professionals and recent graduates alike.
Technology-Driven Curriculum
Courses in AI efficacy and ethics, digital marketing, short-form video, and market research prepare you for the tools and platforms shaping the future of the field.
Portfolio-Based Capstone
Graduate with a professionally curated portfolio of applied projects that showcases your creative, analytical, and strategic capabilities to prospective employers.
Marketing Symposium
Present campaign work and engage directly with industry professionals on current marketing practices.
American Marketing Association/NLU Collegiate Chapter
Gain access to industry resources and certifications integrated into coursework.
Specialized Graduate Focus
A targeted degree that goes deep on integrated marketing and communications — developing the hands-on, forward-looking skills employers are actively seeking.
Graduates are well-positioned for success in strategic marketing and communications roles across industries. This program is ideal for recent graduates in marketing, communication, or business; working professionals seeking advancement; career changers entering the field; and NLU undergraduate Marketing majors and minors ready to pursue graduate study.
Program Structure: 30 semester hours, all required — no concentrations or electives.
Capstone: All students must complete MKT 560 Portfolio in Practice, a culminating course in which students curate and refine applied projects into professional case studies, develop their personal brand, and build career readiness materials.
What You Will Learn
Throughout the M.S. in Marketing and Communication, you'll develop the strategic, creative, and analytical expertise to lead in modern marketing and communications environments.
At the completion of the M.S. in Marketing and Communication, students will be able to:
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- Analyze complex organizational, cultural, and market environments to identify challenges and opportunities in marketing and communications.
- Evaluate and apply digital tools, data analytics, SEO, AI, and emerging technologies to design multi-channel marketing and communication strategies.
- Create and produce professional-grade content, branding strategies, and persuasive multimedia campaigns that are audience-centered and responsive to industry needs.
- Interpret marketing metrics, analytics, and performance data to evaluate campaign effectiveness and formulate data-driven recommendations that optimize strategic decision-making.
- Synthesize and present professional expertise by curating a portfolio of applied projects and delivering a capstone experience that demonstrates mastery of integrated marketing and communication practices.
Career Outlook
With an M.S. in Marketing and Communication, you will be prepared for mid- to senior-level roles in marketing, media, and communications — fields with sustained and growing demand in the Chicago region and nationally.
Opportunities:
- Marketing and communications occupations exceed national averages in concentration and demand. (BLS.gov)
- Job postings for senior marketing and communications roles frequently list a master’s degree as preferred, reflecting the growing complexity of data-driven and strategic leadership expectations. (BLS.gov)
Career Paths:
- Senior Marketing Director
- Chief Brand Officer
- Digital Media Strategist
- Market Research Analyst
- Corporate Storyteller
- Brand Ambassador
- Content Marketing Manager
- Communications Executive
- Social Media Strategist
- Head of Global MarCom
- Director of Marketing Analytics and AI
