STEM Designation
The MSM is a graduate degree program with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation. Due to the demand of graduates with expertise in STEM fields, the Department of Homeland Security permits international students graduating from STEM programs to apply for a 24 month extension of their initial year of Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more detailed information, please visit the ISSO webpage.
Curriculum
10-12 Courses
30-36 Credits
Program Length
Full-time in as few as 9 months
Part-time in as few as 16 months
Marketing Core Courses (12-15 credits)
MKT-810 may be waived. If waived, MKT-815 must be substituted with an MKT elective.
| MKT-810 | Marketing Research for Managers | 3 |
| MKT-815 | Marketing Foundations and Strategy | 3 |
| MKT-819 | Global Perspectives in Consumer Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-850 | Customer Centricity and Creativity in Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-860 | Qualitative Methods and Customer Insights | 3 |
Marketing Analytics Courses (6 credits)
Choose two courses from the options below. A student can choose to use the third course as an elective, if it interests them.
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with Python | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
Marketing Experiential (3 credits)
This course is required for students with no prior relevant work experience, and may possibly be used as an elective for all other students. May be waived.
Capstone Course (3 credits)
Should be taken as late in the program as possible. Choose one. MKT-818 can be taken as an elective instead.
Approved Electives by Discipline (9 Credits)
Students must complete nine (9) credits of electives, 800-level or higher (exception 700-level ADPR, ADG, and MBA courses and 600-level ISOM courses), within the Sawyer Business School and from the approved MSM electives list. If not taken to fulfill the Marketing Analytics Course requirement or the Capstone Course requirement, MKT-869, MKT-870, ISOM-631, or MKT-818 can be taken as an elective. All courses listed within each of the concentrations, in addition to select electives, will meet the electives requirement.
Marketing
| MKT-818 | Global Product Innovation | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-855 | Digital Marketing Challenges | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Neuromarketing | 3 |
| MKT-888 | Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Strategy and Practice | 3 |
| MKT-910 | Directed Study in Marketing | 3 |
| MKT-920 | Marketing Internship | 3 |
| MKT-930 | Marketing Practicum | 3 |
Advertising, Public Relations, and Social Media
Graphic Design
This course can only be taken with instructor permission and is only open to students who have declared a concentration in Customer Experience.
Information Systems and Operations Management
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with Python | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning | 3 |
| ISOM-840 | Security and Privacy | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
| ISOM-861 | Project Management: Gaining Competitive Advantage | 3 |
| ISOM-900 | Special Topics in Information Systems | 3 |
International Business
Management & Entrepreneurship
| MBA-730 | Innovative Thinking | 3 |
| MBA-920 | Master of Business Administration Student Business Clinic | 3 |
Organizational Behavior
Strategy
Statistics
Concentrations
Three electives must be taken within the Sawyer Business School and be 800 level or above (exception 700-level ADPR, ADG, MBA courses and 600-level ISOM courses). If a concentration is declared, three electives must be completed in one concentration area. Concentrations include: Artificial Intelligence and Marketing, Marketing Analytics and Insights, Digital Marketing, or Customer Experience. The schedule of when courses within a concentration are offered vary by semester.
Students who declare a concentration must submit an SBS Graduate Program Concentration Request Form. Students are encouraged to meet with their advisor before they declare a concentration.
The concentration appears on the transcript, not the diploma.
Artificial Intelligence and Marketing
Required Course (3 credits)
| MKT-888 | Artificial Intelligence in Marketing Strategy and Practice | 3 |
Choose two of the following electives (6 credits):
If not taken to fulfill the Marketing Analytics Course Requirement, MKT-869 or MKT-870 can be used towards the Artificial Intelligence and Marketing concentration.
| ISOM-900 | Special Topics in Information Systems | 3 |
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
Marketing Analytics & Insights
Choose three courses. If not taken to fulfill the Marketing Analytics Course Requirement, MKT-869, MKT-870, or ISOM-631 can be used towards the Marketing Analytics and Insights concentration. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-845, MKT-869, MKT-870, or MKT-877).
| MKT-845 | Advanced Digital Analytics | 3 |
| MKT-869 | Machine Learning for Marketing With Python | 3 |
| MKT-870 | Advanced Marketing Analytics With R | 3 |
| MKT-877 | Neuromarketing | 3 |
| MKT-930 | Marketing Practicum | 3 |
| ISOM-631 | Data Analytics with Python | 3 |
| ISOM-801 | Solving Business Problems Using Advanced Excel | 3 |
| ISOM-821 | Data Management and Modeling | 3 |
| ISOM-835 | Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning | 3 |
| ISOM-845 | Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, and Storytelling | 3 |
Digital Marketing
Choose three courses. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-845 or MKT-855).
Customer Experience
Choose three courses. If not taken to fulfill the MSM Capstone Requirement, MKT-818 can be used towards the Customer Experience concentration. At least one must be a marketing content course (MKT-818 or MKT-877).
Learning Goals and Objectives
| Learning Goals |
Learning Objectives |
| Demonstrate ability to apply analytical reasoning skills to marketing problems. (Analytical Reasoning) |
1. Identify the problem and related issues.
2. Identify key assumptions.
3. Generate salient alternatives.
4. Examine the evidence and source of evidence.
5. Identify conclusions, implications, and consequences. |
| Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of marketing principles, concepts, theories and frameworks and the role of marketing in business and society. (Depth of Knowledge) |
1. Understand and apply the marketing concept to evaluate marketing projects/programs.
2. Understand the social science research process and utilize research methods/skills/technologies to solve marketing problems.
3. Gain a holistic view of strategy and tactics in major areas including global marketing and product management.
4. Gain an understanding of ethical issues in marketing. |
| Demonstrate effective oral communication skills. (Oral Communication) |
1. Organize the presentation effectively.
2. Deliver the presentation with attention to volume, clarity, grammatical correctness and precision.
3. Communicate with the audience.
5. Use appropriate technology/communication aids effectively. |
| Demonstrate effective written communication about marketing information. (Written Communication) |
1. Develop a topic with supporting details.
2. Organize written communication effectively and logically.
3. Use correct word choice and effective sentence structure.
4. Employ normal conventions of spelling and grammar.
5. Provide examples and supporting evidence.
6. Communicate quantitative information in narrative form and with visual displays. |
Waiver Policy
MKT-810 and the Marketing Experiential may be waived. If waived, MKT-815 needs to be substituted with an approved MSM elective. All waiver requests are evaluated upon a student's acceptance into the MSM Program and are waived during the student's first semester.
To waive a course, a student must have successfully completed equivalent academic coursework at the undergraduate/graduate level in the seven (7) years prior to MSM matriculation, and earned a grade of "B" or better. Official transcripts must be provided (with English translation, if applicable).
All MSM students must complete a minimum of 30 graduate credits (10 courses) in the Sawyer Business School.
Transfer Policy
Any candidate seeking transfer credits, taken at the graduate level from an AACB accredited graduate program in business, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These credits may be considered for transfer if the credits do not apply to a previously completed degree.
Transfer credits must have earned a grade of "B" or better and be taken within seven (7) years prior to entering the Suffolk MSM program. However, at the discretion of the MSM program director, MSM required core courses may not be transferred if the subject material has changed significantly since completion. A maximum of six (6) credits of prerequisite, marketing core courses, electives may be considered for transfer.
Transfer Credits from the Moakley Center for Public Management's Certificate Programs
Students who have completed a certificate program through the Suffolk University Moakley Center for Public Management may have an opportunity to reduce credit requirements to an SBS graduate degree program (MBA, MHA, MSBA, or MSM). All course waivers and/or transfers vary by program and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the respective SBS Graduate Programs Office.
In order for a course to be considered, it must have an SBS graduate program course equivalent, the student must have earned a grade of B or better, and the student must have successfully completed the certificate prior to enrolling in the SBS graduate degree program.
Applicants must also meet the admission standards for the SBS Graduate degree program to which they are applying.
Students Who Leave Boston Before their Degree is Complete
Occasionally, Suffolk MSM students must leave the Boston area having not yet completed their degree. You may be able to transfer in six credits of elective courses from an AACSB-accredited MSM close to your new place of residence. Courses must be pre-approved by Suffolk’s assistant dean of graduate programs and have a grade of "B" or better.