Marketing and Communications

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Marketing expertise is indispensable for navigating the increasingly connected and complex world of the digital age. Students of the major will be prepared to meet this challenge by acquiring competencies in all aspects of the marketing discipline, including being able to thoroughly conduct analyses of market segments, understand and appreciate the needs of all societal stakeholder groups and meet the expectations of all targeted groups with sound strategic marketing plans. Students in the program will also come to understand the substance of how marketing practice must be inextricably linked with other essential functional areas of an organization in order to achieve its mission. Integrated into the curriculum are opportunities for students to acquire hands-on experience by applying marketing tools to serve a variety of organizations in the external community.

Faculty

Eric Kolhede, PhD, Professor, Chair 

Mary Alice McNeil, MA, Adjunct, Associate Professor

Michal Strahilevitz, PhD, Professor

Saroja Subrahmanyan, PhD, Professor

Learning Outcomes

It is expected that students pursuing the Marketing Major will accomplish the learning outcomes presented below. 

• CONDUCT a comprehensive segmentation analysis leading to the development of complete profiles of relevant segments and the identification of viable target markets.

• FORMULATE a strategic marketing plan that includes targeting and positioning strategies as well as marketing mix decisions that are informed by the expectations of targeted markets and those of other societal stakeholders.

• EFFECTIVELY gather and analyze data pursuant to conducting a marketing research investigation including developing proficiency in: the nature and use of sampling plan methods; constructing effective survey instruments, and the application of statistical tools for organizing and interpreting data. Develop proficiency in marketing research software (e.g., SPSS) and Web Analytics. Apply research findings to develop a strategic marketing plan.

• Students will LEARN the theoretical understanding of the Internet marketplace and practical skills to perform vital digital marketing daily functions. By the end of the course, students will be able to walk into any company with an online presence and improve their use of the Internet. They will learn Web Design, Web Analytics, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, SEM, Display advertising, Email Marketing, Social Media, Online Reputation Management, Mobile Marketing and the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the marketing discipline.

Internships

Students who want to combine study with practical experience in marketing should contact the Marketing Department Chair and the Career Center for information on a variety of opportunities available in both the private and public sectors. Academic course credit for internships may be available through enrollment in the Marketing Internship (MKT 495 ) course.

​Honors

Majors and minors who maintain a GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.0 (3.25 for minors) in their marketing courses will be considered for induction into and a lifetime membership in the Saint Mary’s chapter of American Marketing Association, the internationally recognized marketing honors society.

Programs

• Marketing, BS

• Marketing Minor

Courses

• MKT 301 - Marketing
• MKT 313 - Digital Marketing
• MKT 314 - Online Content Creation
• MKT 315 - Integrated Marketing Communication
• MKT 316 - Special Topics in Marketing
• MKT 326 - Applied Marketing Research
• MKT 326EL - Applied Marketing Research EL
• MKT 328 - Consumer Behavior
• MKT 329 - Global Marketing
• MKT 495 - Internship
• MKT 497 - Independent Study

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