Master's in Integrated Marketing Communications

Georgetown University's Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Integrated Marketing Communications prepares students to bring together creativity, consumer insights and business strategy to develop effective marketing campaigns. Designed for professionals from areas such as advertising, public relations, journalism, design and business, the programme develops the skills to build brands, understand audiences and manage communication across traditional and digital channels.

Curriculum Structure

The programme requires 33 credits across 11 courses, including two core courses, three foundation courses and six electives. Students can study online, on campus in Washington, D.C., or through a combination of both, and may complete the degree in approximately two to five years depending on their enrolment pace. The university does not prescribe a fixed year-by-year course sequence, so the curriculum is best understood through its learning stages.

Foundation Stage: Students begin by developing an understanding of consumer behaviour, brand strategy and integrated campaign planning. Key courses include Consumer Research & Insights, which introduces research techniques such as surveys, interviews and focus groups; IMC Campaign Planning, which explores how different communication channels work together; and The Brand Concept, which examines how brands are built, positioned and maintained. Students also complete Conversations About Ethics, exploring ethical considerations in marketing and communication.

Advanced Stage: Students personalise their studies through six electives covering areas such as creative development, digital content, social media, communication strategy and marketing innovation. Relevant subjects include The Creative Brief, Content Creation for IMC and Innovations in IMC: Thinking Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Industry. In their final stage, students complete Capstone, where they identify a company or organisation and develop an original, research-based integrated marketing communications plan to address a real marketing challenge.

Focus Areas

Integrated marketing communications, brand strategy, consumer research and insights, campaign planning, creative strategy, digital marketing, content creation, social media marketing, advertising, public relations, audience segmentation, marketing analytics, communication ethics, brand management, strategic communication and global marketing.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to create effective brand strategies, understand consumer behaviour and use research insights to guide marketing decisions. They learn to plan and manage integrated campaigns, combine traditional and digital communication channels, evaluate audience needs and apply creative and critical thinking to business challenges. The programme also strengthens global collaboration, ethical reasoning, technological competency, problem-solving and professional communication skills.

Experiential Learning

The programme emphasises applied learning through practical assignments, industry-focused projects and its final capstone. Students identify a company or organisation and develop an integrated marketing plan based on original consumer research, including a creative strategy and final presentation. Georgetown's partnership as a Silver Sponsor of the American Marketing Association's Washington, D.C. chapter also gives students opportunities to attend industry events, expand their professional networks and engage with marketing practitioners.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Georgetown University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The university does not list a separate specialised professional accreditation for the MPS in Integrated Marketing Communications. The programme incorporates professional marketing practices, communication ethics, consumer research and campaign evaluation into its curriculum.

Reputation and Employability

Georgetown's programme is designed to prepare students for careers across advertising, marketing, public relations, social impact, corporate social responsibility and digital media. Its faculty includes experienced industry professionals, executives and communication specialists, bringing practical industry perspectives into the classroom. The university does not publish a specific programme-level graduate employment rate or employability ranking for this degree.