A major in marketing acquaints students with the managerial decisions and actions that surround the satisfaction of customer needs in the purchase and use of goods and services. Examples of marketing decision areas are product development, pricing, marketing communication, customer relationships, social media, marketing analytics, and personal selling. Completion of the major prepares students for careers such as product manager, marketing analyst, digital marketing specialist, marketing consultant, advertising or promotions manager, marketing researcher, sales representative or manager, social media coordinator, retail management, and special events manager, in the public and private sectors.
Undergraduate Major in Marketing
For undergraduate curriculum in business, major in marketing.
The Department of Marketing offers a major in marketing. Students will complete the general education requirements (including business foundation courses), supporting courses/major prerequisites, business core requirements for the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, and 18 additional credits in the major.
The instructional objective of the Marketing major is to provide knowledge of the marketing process and an understanding of its functions. Students are expected to develop decision-making skills, computational skills, and communication skills with appreciation for global marketplace and ethical concerns.
For more information on the undergraduate major in Marketing, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/marketing/.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, undergraduate students majoring in Marketing will:
- Be effective communicators.
- Be effective collaborators.
- Be problem solvers.
- Understand business concepts.
- Recognize ethical and legal responsibilities to organizations.
Curriculum:
Required and elective marketing major courses can be combined into two distinct tracks: marketing analytics, and marketing management.
NOTE: If you are interested in sales, the Marketing department offers an undergraduate certificate in Professional Sales. The Professional Sales Certificate has different required Marketing courses, and a host of different electives that are available from departments around campus. For more information on the undergraduate certificate in Professional Sales, please visit: https://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofbusiness/marketing/#undergraduatecertificatetext.
In addition to the basic business degree requirements (https://catalog.iastate.edu/collegeofbusiness/#curriculuminbusinesstext), marketing majors must also complete the following:
| Required Courses (9 credits): | ||
| MKT 4440 | Fundamentals of Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKT 3420 | Foundation Of Personal Selling # | 3 |
| MKT 4430 | Strategic Marketing Management | 3 |
| Elective Courses (9 credits): | ||
| Select 9 credits of Marketing department courses, OR select one of the two Marketing elective TRACKS described below. | ||
| Optional Digital Marketing and Marketing Analytics Track (9 credits) | ||
| Select 9 credits: | ||
| MKT 3610 | Social Media Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 3620 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3630X | Creative Tools for Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3680 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKT 4450 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 |
| MKT 4520 | Sales Enablement Tools and Technology | 3 |
| Optional Marketing Management Track (9 credits) | ||
| Select 9 credits: | ||
| MKT 3510 | Services Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3610 | Social Media Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 3620 | Digital Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3670 | Consultative Problem Solving | 3 |
| MKT 4100 | Promotional Strategy | 3 |
| MKT 4420 | Sales Management # | 3 |
| MKT 4470 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| MKT 4480 | Global Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 4500 | Advanced Professional Selling # | 3 |
| MKT 4510 | Omnichannel Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 4530 | Brand Management | 3 |
| MKT 4540 | Entrepreneurial Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 4840 | Technology, Globalization and Culture | 3 |
| MKT 4920 | Comparative Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 4950 | Live Cases in Marketing * | 3 |
- *
Only 3 credits of MKT 4950 may count as a Marketing major choice elective.
- #
Required courses for the undergraduate certificate in Professional Sales. See the Undergraduate Certificate tab above for more information.
The X designation after a course number indicates this is an experimental course offered by the Department. Although in an experimental phase, these courses are open for registration just the same as permanent courses listed in the course catalog and count as elective choices in the major.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees/minors within the Ivy College of Business. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.
Marketing, B.S.
Sample 4-Year Plan (Your plan may differ)
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BUSAD 1020 or 1030 | 1 | ECON 1020 | 3 |
| ECON 1010 | 3 | STAT 2260 | 3 |
| COMS 1130 | 3 | HUM/SOC SCI | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 | 3 | ACCT 2840 | 3 |
| MATH 1500 | 3 | SPCM 3120 | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | BUSAD 2030 | 1 |
| 14 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ACCT 2850 | 3 | MKT 3420 | 3 |
| MKT 3400 | 3 | Core Business Course | 3 |
| MATH 1510 | 3 | ACCT 2150 | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | Global/International Perspective@ | 3 |
| Natural Science | 3 | HUM/SOC SCI | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PHIL 2300 | 3 | MKT Elective | 3 |
| MKT 4440 | 3 | Core Business Courses | 6 |
| Core Business Course | 3 | Global/International Perspective@ | 3 |
| U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)# | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| MKT Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MKT Elective | 3 | MKT 4430 | 3 |
| ENGL 3020 | 3 | MGMT 4780* | 3 |
| Core Business Courses | 6 | HUM/SOC SCI | 3 |
| General Elective | 5 | General Electives | 6 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 122 | |||
- @
Courses in these requirements may also be used as Global Perspective.
- #
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) courses may be used to satisfy HUM/SOC SCI.
- *
Must have credit or enrollment in all core courses listed above, except for MGMT 3720, plus senior standing, in order to enroll in MGMT 4780.
Graduation Requirements:
1. Grade of “C” or higher in at least 30 credits of Core and Major courses.
2. 42 credits of 3000+ level courses from a four-year institution.
3. 50% of required Business courses must be earned at ISU.
4. At least 32 credits and the LAST 32 credits must be earned at ISU (exceptions for study abroad and internship may be requested).
5. 122 Credits minimum and a Cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 with no quality point deficiencies.
6. A grade of C or better in ENGL 2500 required, and also in one other required ENGL course.
7. All 3000-level and higher business credits must be earned at a four-year college.
8. Multiple business majors must have at least 15 distinct credits in each of the major requirements; when applicable, one course can be shared between business majors; see your advisor regarding multiple business degree requirements.
Undergraduate Minor in Marketing
The Department of Marketing also offers a minor for non-Marketing majors in the Ivy College of Business. The minor requires 15 credits from an approved list of courses, including at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above taken at Iowa State University with a grade of C or higher. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.
| Required Courses (6 credits): | ||
| MKT 3400 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3420 | Foundation Of Personal Selling | 3 |
| Elective Courses (9 credits): | ||
| Select nine credit hours from 3000- or 4000-level Marketing courses. * | ||
- *
Only 3 credits of MKT 4950 may count as a Marketing minor choice elective.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees/minors within the Ivy College of Business. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.
For more information on the undergraduate minor in Marketing, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/minors-and-certificates/.
Undergraduate Minor in Business and Technology Consulting
The Department of Marketing offers a minor in Business and Technology Consulting, which is available to all undergraduate students at Iowa State University.
Management consulting is a profession that constantly attracts top talents across the world. By working with different clients to solve complex problems every day, consultants have many exclusive opportunities to interact with senior executives, build a broad range of business expertise in different industries, and drive influential decision-making. As a result, many consultants experience faster career progression and end up becoming influential leaders or successful entrepreneurs. To prepare students for this exciting and challenging career, our business and technology consulting minor will guide you through a set of core courses, the majority of which contain significant experiential learning components. This training ensures that students leave the minor ready to become adaptable consultants equipped with robust problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
The minor requires 15 credits from an approved list of courses, including at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above taken at Iowa State University with a grade of C or higher. The minor must include at least 9 credits that are not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement. Students with declared majors have priority over students with declared minors in courses with space constraints.
| Required Courses (6 credits): | ||
| MKT 3670 | Consultative Problem Solving | 3 |
| MIS 3100 | Information Systems Analysis ^ | 3 |
| or MKT 3420 | Foundation Of Personal Selling | |
| Required Experiential Learning Course (3 credits): | ||
| Choose one of the following courses... | ||
| MIS 4950 | Executive Presentation and Analysis | 3 |
| MKT 4950 | Live Cases in Marketing | 3 |
| Elective Courses (6 credits): | ||
| Select TWO elective courses from the list below. Students are encouraged to take electives that best align with their chosen course of study or projected career path. | ||
| SCM 3400 | Project Management | 3 |
| SCM 4240 | Process Management, Analysis, and Improvement | 3 |
| SCM 4400 | Supply Chain Information Systems | 3 |
| SCM 4500 | Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Supply Chain | 3 |
| MIS 3200 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| MIS 4350 | Cybersecurity in Business | 3 |
| MIS 4360 | Introduction to Business Analytics * | 3 |
| MKT 3680 | Marketing Analytics | 3 |
| MKT 4450 | Customer Relationship Management | 3 |
| MGMT 3200 | Corporate Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| MGMT 4730 | Evidence-Based Decision Making in Human Resource Management | 3 |
| FIN 4150 | Business Financing Decisions | 3 |
| FIN 4350 | Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Mergers and Acquisitions | 3 |
| ACCT 3150 | Business Data Streams and Issues | 3 |
| ACCT 4610 | Entrepreneurship and Accounting Information | 3 |
| ACCT 3840 | Accounting Information Systems and Analytics | 3 |
| IE 3050 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| IE 4200 | Engineering Problem Solving with R | 3 |
| IE 4410 | Industrial Engineering Design | 3 |
| IE 4520 | Introduction To Systems Engineering And Analysis | 3 |
| IE 4700 | Systems Engineering and Project Management | 3 |
| IE 4810 | e-Commerce Systems Engineering | 3 |
| IE 4830 | Data Mining | 3 |
| ME 4120 | Ethical Responsibilities of a Practicing Engineer | 3 |
| ME 4150 | Mechanical Systems Design | 3 |
| ME 4160 | Mechanism Design and Analysis | 3 |
| ME 4750 | Modeling and Simulation | 3 |
| ME 4840 | Technology, Globalization and Culture | 3 |
| STAT 3320 | Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | 3 |
| STAT 4710 | Introduction to Experimental Design | 3 |
| STAT 4730 | Introduction to Survey Sampling | 3 |
| STAT 4750 | Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis | 3 |
| STAT 4820 | Regression for Social and Behavioral Research | 3 |
| ECON 4010 | Topics in Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 4160 | Industrial Organization | 3 |
| ECON 4180 | Introduction to Game Theory | 3 |
| ECON 4310 | Managerial Economics | 3 |
| COMS 2950 | Programming-Based Problem Solving Practices | 1 |
| COMS 3190 | Construction of User Interfaces | 3 |
| COMS 3630 | Introduction to Database Management Systems | 3 |
| COMS 4720 | Principles of Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| COMS 4740 | Introduction to Machine Learning | 3 |
| CPRE 3290 | Software Project Management | 3 |
| CPRE 3310 | Application of Cryptographic Concepts to Cyber Security | 3 |
| CPRE 4140 | Introduction to Software Systems for Big Data Analytics | 4 |
| CPRE 4310 | Basics of Information System Security | 3 |
- ^
MIS majors should take MIS 4350 instead of MIS 3100 as the required course for the minor.
- *
STAT 3260 is a prerequisite for this course.
Students are limited to three business majors/degrees/minors within the Ivy College of Business. This limit is on business majors/degrees/minors only and does not apply to multiple majors/degrees/minors taken outside the Ivy College of Business.
Non-business students may not take more than 9 credits of 3000- or 4000-level business courses.
NOTE: Students must follow college-specific rules in selecting courses. The college representatives will be responsible for advising students in their college and will inform students about the details of the college rules.
For more information on the undergraduate minor in Business and Technology Consulting, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/minors-and-certificates/.
Undergraduate Certificate in Professional Sales
Purpose
The certificate in professional sales is a course of study administered by the Department of Marketing in the Ivy College of Business. It is designed for all undergraduate majors who wish to enhance their degree and employment possibilities by adding expertise in professional selling. The certificate program will equip students with knowledge and skills related to developing and managing mutually beneficial relationships with customers. The certificate program is built on a strong theoretical background but emphasizes applications and practice. The certificate provides students with an opportunity to learn about the ethical, technological, analytical, and global aspects of professional sales.
Learning Outcomes
After completing the certificate in professional sales, students will be able to:
- Identify and describe the steps in a relational selling process to create value and achieve customer satisfaction,
- Apply the sales technology, skills and knowledge to business problems,
- Enhance oral communication skills and basic business writing skills,
- Build a network and develop professional relationships through corporate participation in the sales program, and
- Enhance career management options by gaining a better understanding of sales as a career option.
Requirements
The certificate in professional sales requires the completion of at least 7 courses, totaling 21 credit hours. At least 12 credits should be taken at Iowa State University.
| Required Courses (12 credits): | ||
| MKT 3400 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| MKT 3420 | Foundation Of Personal Selling | 3 |
| MKT 4420 | Sales Management | 3 |
| MKT 4500 | Advanced Professional Selling | 3 |
| or MKT 4520 | Sales Enablement Tools and Technology | |
| Elective Courses (9 credits): | ||
| Select 9 credits of electives from the following list: | ||
| AMD 2750 | Retail Merchandising | 3 |
| AMD 3770 | Visual Presentation and Promotions | 3 |
| ACCT 4610 | Entrepreneurship and Accounting Information * | 3 |
| ADVRT 3360 | Advertising Account Management | 3 |
| AESHM 2220 | Creativity on Demand | 3 |
| AESHM 2380 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| AESHM 2700F | Supervised Work Experience II: Event Management | 1-2 |
| AESHM 2720 | Fashion Show Production and Promotion | 2-3 |
| AESHM 2870 | Principles of Management in Human Sciences | 3 |
| AESHM 3400 | Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| AESHM 3650 | Event, Hospitality, and Retail Risk Management | 3 |
| AESHM 4210 | Developing Global Leadership: Maximizing Human Potential | 3 |
| AESHM 4720 | Fashion Show Management | 2-3 |
| AESHM 4740 | Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences | 3 |
| AGEDS 3110 | Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences | 3 |
| ARTID 2500 | Fundamentals of Interior Design | 2 |
| ARTID 2510 | Human Factors in Interior Design | 3 |
| ARTID 2610 | Graphic Communication for Interior Design I | 3 |
| ARTID 2630 | Graphic Communication for Interior Design II | 3 |
| CE 2060 | Engineering Economic Analysis and Professional Issues in Civil Engineering | 3 |
| COMST 2110 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 2140 | Professional Communication | 3 |
| COMST 2180 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| COMST 3100 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3110 | Relational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3130 | Leadership Communication Theories | 3 |
| COMST 3140 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3170 | Small Group Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3190 | Communication Training and Development | 3 |
| COMST 3250 | Nonverbal Communication | 3 |
| COMST 3300 | Computer Mediated Communication | 3 |
| COMST 4500A | Special Topics in Communication Studies: General | 3 |
| or COMST 4500B | Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication | |
| ECON 2350 | Introduction to Agricultural Markets | 3 |
| ECON 2360 | Agricultural Selling | 3 |
| ECON 3340 | Entrepreneurship in Agriculture | 3 |
| ECON 3370 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| ENGL 3090 | Proposal and Report Writing | 3 |
| ENGL 3140 | Technical Communication | 3 |
| ENGL 3320 | Visual Communication of Quantitative Information | 3 |
| ENTSP 3100 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation * | 3 |
| ENTSP 3670 | International Entrepreneurship * | 3 |
| ENTSP 4100 | Social Entrepreneurship * | 3 |
| ENTSP 4800 | Applied Entrepreneurship: Executing New Ventures * | 3 |
| ENTSP 4850 | Trends in Entrepreneurship * | 3 |
| EVENT 1710 | Introduction to Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 2770 | Digital Promotion in the Service Industry | 3 |
| EVENT 3280 | Incentive Meeting Management | 3 |
| EVENT 3330 | Entertainment Venue Management | 3 |
| EVENT 3670 | Event Sales | 3 |
| EVENT 3730 | Wedding Planning and Management | 3 |
| EVENT 3780 | Sustainable Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 3790 | Nonprofit Fundraising Event Planning | 3 |
| EVENT 3830 | Sports Event Management | 3 |
| EVENT 4710 | Special Events Coordination | 3 |
| FIN 3340X | Introduction to Financial Technologies and Cryptocurrencies * | 3 |
| FIN 3710 | Real Estate Principles * | 3 |
| FIN 4720 | Real Estate Finance * | 3 |
| HCM 3010 | Introduction to the US Healthcare Industry * | 3 |
| HCM 3020 | Economics for Healthcare Managers * | 3 |
| HORT 1310 | Floral Design | 2 |
| HORT 1320 | Wedding and Event Floral Design | 2 |
| HSPM 1010 | Introduction to the Hospitality Industry | 3 |
| HSPM 2600 | Global Tourism Management | 3 |
| HSPM 2800 | Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Cafe Operations | 3 |
| HSPM 2890 | Contemporary Club Management | 3 |
| HSPM 3200 | Attractions and Amusement Park Administration | 3 |
| HSPM 3830 | Wine and Spirits in Hospitality Management | 2 |
| HSPM 3830L | Wine, Spirits, and Mixology Laboratory in Hospitality Management | 2 |
| HSPM 3850 | Beer and Brewed Beverages in Hospitality Management | 1 |
| HSPM 4370 | Hospitality Technology Applications | 3 |
| HSPM 4870 | Fine Dining Management | 3 |
| HSPM 5400 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
| IE 3050 | Engineering Economic Analysis | 3 |
| IE 4300 | Entrepreneurial Product Engineering | 3 |
| IE 4340X | Entrepreneurial Product Engineering Design Project | arr † |
| IE 4500 | Technical Sales for Engineers | 3 |
| INTST 2950 | International Experience Abroad | 1-8 |
| INTST 3500 | Topics in International Studies | 2-4 |
| KIN 3990 | Recreational Sport Management | 3 |
| MGMT 4220 | Negotiation and Conflict Resolution * | 3 |
| MGMT 4700 | Leadership and Change Management * | 3 |
| MGMT 4710 | Introduction to Human Resource Management * | 3 |
| MKT 4100 | Promotional Strategy * | 3 |
| MKT 4450 | Customer Relationship Management * | 3 |
| MKT 4510 | Omnichannel Marketing * | 3 |
| PR 2200 | Principles of Public Relations | 3 |
| PR 3050 | Publicity Methods | 3 |
| PSYCH 2800 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 3140 | Motivation | 3 |
| PSYCH 3270 | Persuasion and Social Influence | 3 |
| PSYCH 3800 | Social Cognition | 3 |
| PSYCH 4500 | Industrial Psychology | 3 |
| SCM 3400 | Project Management * | 3 |
| SCM 4400 | Supply Chain Information Systems * | 3 |
| SCM 4730 | War and Peace and Supply Chains * | 3 |
| SCM 4860 | Principles of Purchasing and Supply Management * | 3 |
| SPCM 1100 | Listening | 3 |
| SPCM 3120 | Business and Professional Speaking | 3 |
| SPCM 3230 | Gender and Communication | 3 |
| WLC 1190 | Introduction to World Languages | 3 |
| † Arranged with instructor. | ||
- *
Business courses listed as electives are available only to business majors. Non-business majors are limited to the 12 credits of required business courses for the certificate.
In addition to the courses listed, independent study/special topics or other courses may count as electives for the certificate. Please contact the director of the Professional Sales Program or the chair of the Marketing Department for prior approval of an elective.
The X designation after a course number indicates this is an experimental course offered by the Department. Although in an experimental phase, these courses are open for registration just the same as permanent courses listed in the course catalog and count as elective choices in the major.
Students need to fulfill the course prerequisites set by the Ivy College of Business.
A minimum of 9 credits used for the certificate may not be used to meet any other department (e.g. MKT 3400 & MKT 3420 cannot count for marketing majors), college, or university requirement for the baccalaureate degree except to satisfy the total credit requirement for graduation and to meet credit requirements in courses numbered 3000 or above.
A certificate is not awarded until baccalaureate requirements are fulfilled.
Courses taken for the certificate may not be taken on a pass/not-pass basis.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required in courses taken for the certificate.
For more information on the undergraduate certificate in Professional Sales, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/minors-and-certificates/professional-sales-certificate/.
Graduate Programs
The Department of Marketing participates in the full-time and part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Ph.D. in Business and Technology programs.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
The MBA is a 48-credit, non-thesis, non-creative component curriculum. Thirty of the 48 credits are core courses and the remaining 18 are graduate electives. Within the MBA program, students may develop an area of specialization in marketing.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, MBA students will:
- Demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Effectively lead and work in diverse teams.
- Critically solve business problems.
- Integrate ethical and global perspectives in decision making.
For more information about the MBA program with a specialization in Marketing, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/graduate-programs/ivy-mba/.
Ph.D. in Business and Technology
The Ph.D. in Business and Technology with a Marketing (MKT) specialization is a 56 credit (minimum) curriculum designed around four interrelated areas (core, specialization, minor, and research methods) and dissertation. The focus of the specialization is on marketing issues relating to strategic decision making, understanding consumer preferences and behaviors, and using data analytics for increasing the performance of the firm.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, Ph.D. students will be able to:
- Understand and advance knowledge.
- Create knowledge through original research.
- Teach effectively in an institution of higher education.
For more information about the Ph.D. program with a specialization in Marketing, please visit: https://www.ivybusiness.iastate.edu/academics/phd-program/marketing/.