If you’re looking for a graduate program that focuses on marketing, business, or leadership development, you know that there are a myriad of options around the US. In today’s blog, we meet with Charlotte Coberley and Julie Scheinthal, two of our graduate admissions counselors. They’ll answer some common questions about our Strategic Marketing Communication (MA), Business of Creative Enterprises (MA), and Digital Communication Leadership (MA) programs, and share what makes Emerson stand apart.
Q: What makes Emerson’s marketing, business, and leadership programs unique?
A: Emerson’s Strategic Marketing Communication program allows students to customize their education to fit their own professional goals. Rather than a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Emerson’s Strategic Marketing Communication MA offers 5 core courses and 5 electives. Students get to hand pick all 5 electives and can choose a concentration in Strategic Planning, Digital Strategy, or Brand Strategy, tailoring their graduate education to their career goals.
Our Business of Creative Enterprises program stands apart for its blending of creativity and business development. This is a degree designed to support artists in making their craft into a business or in advancing their current business career. With a focus on equity, the Business of Creative Enterprises MA equips students to make positive changes within the business sector. Plus, this program is entirely online, making it convenient and accessible to students all over the country.
Digital Communication Leadership is our newest graduate program, and it’s the first of its kind. This program is designed to advance students in their careers to management roles by providing a customizable curriculum that fills in students’ individual knowledge gaps. The curriculum is entirely online and asynchronous, making it convenient for working professionals. Carefully designed, this program teaches students the skills employers look for for in these higher leadership positions. In this program, students take 4 required courses and then choose their remaining 4 electives based on their professional needs. We actually launched the Digital Communication Leadership program based on feedback we received from graduated MA students. They told us what additional skills they needed to advance their careers further, and we built this program. Another unique part of the Digital Communication Leadership program is that one of the courses counts towards Project Management certification.
Q: Who is a good fit for Emerson’s marketing, business, and leadership programs?
A: Any student with an interest in strategic marketing should apply for our Strategic Marketing Communication program. Because this program is so highly customizable, it can fit the needs and interests of a diverse set of students. Additionally, if Emerson College’s mission, vision, and values align with your own values, you would be a great fit for our graduate community.
The Business of Creative Enterprises program is perfect either for artists who are looking to make a business out of their craft or for those already in a creative business position looking to advance their careers. Our program welcomes creative professionals such as musicians, writers, designers, and more. Anyone looking for a business degree for creatives is a good fit for our Business of Creative Enterprises MA.
Emerson’s Digital Communication Leadership program is geared toward professionals who are looking to advance into senior management and leadership positions. This degree is perfect for those working in public relations, digital communication, or marketing who want to take the next step up the corporate ladder.
Q: How big are the cohort sizes?
A: The Strategic Marketing Communication and Business of Creative Enterprises programs generally average about 25 students per cohort. For the Digital Communication Leadership program, we look to enroll about 15-20 students per cohort. While we keep cohort sizes small to promote a tightly-knit, collaborative community, we aim to recruit a higher number of applicants.
Q: How long does it take to complete Emerson’s marketing, business, and leadership programs?
A: Students in the Strategic Marketing Communication MA have the option to enroll full-time or part-time. Full-time students graduate in 1.5-2 years, while part-time students complete the program over a longer period of time.
Students can complete the Business of Creative Enterprises program in as little as 16 months.
Graduate students in our Digital Communication Leadership MA typically graduate in one year if they enroll full-time. Part-time students generally graduate in two years. Students with 5+ years of experience may be eligible to waive one elective course, allowing them to graduate even more quickly.
Q: Do I need to move to Boston?
A: Our Strategic Marketing Communication MA is fully in-person. This allows students to gain internships and experience in the communication hub of Boston.
The Business of Creative Enterprises and Digital Communication Leadership programs are both fully online. The online format allows students to complete their graduate degree from home without moving to a new city.
Q: Can I get a scholarship if I study marketing, business, or leadership at Emerson?
A: Yes! Once you submit an application to one of our graduate programs, we automatically consider you for financial aid. There is no additional application required.
Students applying for any program besides Digital Communication Leadership may also apply for the Transformational Leaders Graduate Fellowship. This fellowship also comes with a scholarship and stipend.
Q: What kinds of jobs do students get after graduating?
A: Alumni from our Strategic Marketing Communication program have gone on to work for companies like Philips, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and TikTok. Graduates from this program have the foundational skills they need for careers as Marketing Managers, Directors of Marketing, Art Directors, and more.
Students from the Business of Creative Enterprises program have the skills to succeed in industries like entertainment, fashion, education, and more. Upon graduation, students may explore careers such as Art Director, Producer, Entrepreneur, Social & Community Manager, and beyond.
The Digital Communication Leadership program prepares students for C-suite leadership positions such as Director of Communication and Marketing, Digital Communication Manager, Digital Strategy Leader, and more.
We hope this blog has helped answer some of your questions about Emerson’s marketing, business, and leadership graduate programs. For more information, schedule a call with an admissions counselor or read about current students’ experiences in these programs. If you have questions about our other graduate programs, check out more of our Q&A blogs about our programs.
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