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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://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/degree/marketing/.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, undergraduate students majoring in Marketing will:

  1. Be effective communicators.
  2. Be effective collaborators.
  3. Be problem solvers.
  4. Understand business concepts.
  5. 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 4440Fundamentals of Marketing Analytics3
MKT 3420Foundation Of Personal Selling #3
MKT 4430Strategic Marketing Management3
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 3610Social Media Marketing Strategy3
MKT 3620Digital Marketing3
MKT 3630XCreative Tools for Digital Marketing3
MKT 3680Marketing Analytics3
MKT 4450Customer Relationship Management3
MKT 4520Sales Enablement Tools and Technology3
MKT 4560XDigital Marketing Analytics3
MKT 4570XDigital Marketing Applications in Customer Journey3
Optional Marketing Management Track (9 credits)
Select 9 credits:
MKT 3510Services Marketing3
MKT 3610Social Media Marketing Strategy3
MKT 3620Digital Marketing3
MKT 3670Consultative Problem Solving3
MKT 4100Promotional Strategy3
MKT 4420Sales Management #3
MKT 4470Consumer Behavior3
MKT 4480Global Marketing3
MKT 4500Advanced Professional Selling #3
MKT 4510Omnichannel Marketing3
MKT 4530Brand Management3
MKT 4540Entrepreneurial Marketing3
MKT 4550XManaging for Creativity and Innovation3
MKT 4580XNew Product Marketing3
MKT 4840Technology, Globalization and Culture3
MKT 4920Comparative Marketing3
MKT 4950Live 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
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BUSAD 1020 or 10301ECON 10203
ECON 10103STAT 22603
COMS 11303HUM/SOC SCI3
ENGL 15003ACCT 28403
MATH 15003SPCM 31203
LIB 16001BUSAD 20301
 14 16
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ACCT 28503MKT 34203
MKT 34003Core Business Course3
MATH 15103ACCT 21503
ENGL 25003Global/International Perspective@3
Natural Science3HUM/SOC SCI3
 15 15
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PHIL 23003MKT Elective3
MKT 44403Core Business Courses6
Core Business Course3Global/International Perspective@3
US Diversity#3General Elective3
MKT Elective3 
 15 15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MKT Elective3MKT 44303
ENGL 30203MGMT 4780*3
Core Business Courses6HUM/SOC SCI3
General Elective5General Electives6
 17 15
Total Credits: 122
@

Courses in these requirements may also be used as Global Perspective.

#

US 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 3400Principles of Marketing3
MKT 3420Foundation Of Personal Selling3
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://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/degree/zminors-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 3670Consultative Problem Solving3
MIS 3100Information Systems Analysis ^3
or MKT 3420 Foundation Of Personal Selling
Required Experiential Learning Course (3 credits):
Choose one of the following courses...
MIS 4950Executive Presentation and Analysis3
SCM 4950Executive Analysis and Presentations3
MKT 4950Live Cases in Marketing3
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 3400Project Management3
SCM 4240Process Management, Analysis, and Improvement3
SCM 4400Supply Chain Information Systems3
SCM 4500Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in Supply Chain3
MIS 3200Database Management Systems3
MIS 4350Cybersecurity in Business3
MIS 4360Introduction to Business Analytics *3
MKT 3680Marketing Analytics3
MKT 4450Customer Relationship Management3
MGMT 3200Corporate Entrepreneurship3
MGMT 4730Evidence-Based Decision Making in Human Resource Management3
FIN 4150Business Financing Decisions3
FIN 4350Venture Capital, Private Equity, and Mergers and Acquisitions3
ACCT 3150Business Data Streams and Issues3
ACCT 4610Entrepreneurship and Accounting Information3
ACCT 3840Accounting Information Systems and Analytics3
IE 3050Engineering Economic Analysis3
IE 4200Engineering Problem Solving with R3
IE 4410Industrial Engineering Design3
IE 4520Introduction To Systems Engineering And Analysis3
IE 4700Systems Engineering and Project Management3
IE 4810e-Commerce Systems Engineering3
IE 4830Data Mining3
ME 4120Ethical Responsibilities of a Practicing Engineer3
ME 4150Mechanical Systems Design3
ME 4160Mechanism Design and Analysis3
ME 4750Modeling and Simulation3
ME 4840Technology, Globalization and Culture3
STAT 3320Visual Communication of Quantitative Information3
STAT 4710Introduction to Experimental Design3
STAT 4730Introduction to Survey Sampling3
STAT 4750Introduction to Multivariate Data Analysis3
STAT 4820Regression for Social and Behavioral Research3
ECON 4010Topics in Microeconomics3
ECON 4160Industrial Organization3
ECON 4180Introduction to Game Theory3
ECON 4310Managerial Economics3
COMS 2950Programming-Based Problem Solving Practices1
COMS 3190Construction of User Interfaces3
COMS 3630Introduction to Database Management Systems3
COMS 4720Principles of Artificial Intelligence3
COMS 4740Introduction to Machine Learning3
CPRE 3290Software Project Management3
CPRE 3310Application of Cryptographic Concepts to Cyber Security3
CPRE 4140Introduction to Software Systems for Big Data Analytics4
CPRE 4310Basics of Information System Security3
^

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://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/degree/zminors-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 3400Principles of Marketing3
MKT 3420Foundation Of Personal Selling3
MKT 4420Sales Management3
MKT 4500Advanced Professional Selling3
or MKT 4520 Sales Enablement Tools and Technology
Elective Courses (9 credits):
Select 9 credits of electives from the following list:
AMD 2750Retail Merchandising3
AMD 3770Visual Presentation and Promotions3
ACCT 4610Entrepreneurship and Accounting Information *3
ADVRT 3360Advertising Account Management3
AESHM 2220Creativity on Demand3
AESHM 2380Human Resource Management3
AESHM 2700FSupervised Work Experience II: Event Management1-2
AESHM 2720Fashion Show Production and Promotion2-3
AESHM 2870Principles of Management in Human Sciences3
AESHM 3400Hospitality and Apparel Marketing Strategies3
AESHM 3650Event, Hospitality, and Retail Risk Management3
AESHM 4210Developing Global Leadership: Maximizing Human Potential3
AESHM 4720Fashion Show Management2-3
AESHM 4740Entrepreneurship in Human Sciences3
AGEDS 3110Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences3
ARTID 2500Fundamentals of Interior Design2
ARTID 2510Human Factors in Interior Design3
ARTID 2610Graphic Communication for Interior Design I3
ARTID 2630Graphic Communication for Interior Design II3
CE 2060Engineering Economic Analysis and Professional Issues in Civil Engineering3
COMST 2110Interpersonal Communication3
COMST 2140Professional Communication3
COMST 2180Conflict Management3
COMST 3100Intercultural Communication3
COMST 3110Relational Communication3
COMST 3130Leadership Communication Theories3
COMST 3140Organizational Communication3
COMST 3170Small Group Communication3
COMST 3190Communication Training and Development3
COMST 3250Nonverbal Communication3
COMST 3300Computer Mediated Communication3
COMST 4500ASpecial Topics in Communication Studies: General3
or COMST 4500B Special Topics in Communication Studies: Health Communication
ECON 2350Introduction to Agricultural Markets3
ECON 2360Agricultural Selling3
ECON 3340Entrepreneurship in Agriculture3
ECON 3370Agricultural Marketing3
ENGL 3090Proposal and Report Writing3
ENGL 3140Technical Communication3
ENGL 3320Visual Communication of Quantitative Information3
ENTSP 3100Entrepreneurship and Innovation *3
ENTSP 3670International Entrepreneurship *3
ENTSP 4100Social Entrepreneurship *3
ENTSP 4800Applied Entrepreneurship: Executing New Ventures *3
ENTSP 4850Trends in Entrepreneurship *3
EVENT 1710Introduction to Event Management3
EVENT 2770Digital Promotion in the Service Industry3
EVENT 3280Incentive Meeting Management3
EVENT 3330Entertainment Venue Management3
EVENT 3670Event Sales3
EVENT 3730Wedding Planning and Management3
EVENT 3780Sustainable Event Management3
EVENT 3790Nonprofit Fundraising Event Planning3
EVENT 3830Sports Event Management3
EVENT 4710Special Events Coordination3
FIN 3340XIntroduction to Financial Technologies and Cryptocurrencies *3
FIN 3710Real Estate Principles *3
FIN 4720Real Estate Finance *3
HCM 3010Introduction to the US Healthcare Industry *3
HCM 3020Economics for Healthcare Managers *3
HORT 1310Floral Design2
HORT 1320Wedding and Event Floral Design2
HSPM 1010Introduction to the Hospitality Industry3
HSPM 2600Global Tourism Management3
HSPM 2800Non-Alcoholic Beverages and Cafe Operations3
HSPM 2890Contemporary Club Management3
HSPM 3200Attractions and Amusement Park Administration3
HSPM 3830Wine and Spirits in Hospitality Management2
HSPM 3830LWine, Spirits, and Mixology Laboratory in Hospitality Management2
HSPM 3850Beer and Brewed Beverages in Hospitality Management1
HSPM 4370Hospitality Technology Applications3
HSPM 4870Fine Dining Management3
HSPM 5400Strategic Marketing3
IE 3050Engineering Economic Analysis3
IE 4300Entrepreneurial Product Engineering3
IE 4340XEntrepreneurial Product Engineering Design Projectarr †
IE 4500Technical Sales for Engineers3
INTST 2950International Experience Abroad1-8
INTST 3500Topics in International Studies2-4
KIN 3990Recreational Sport Management3
MGMT 4220Negotiation and Conflict Resolution *3
MGMT 4700Leadership and Change Management *3
MGMT 4710Introduction to Human Resource Management *3
MKT 4100Promotional Strategy *3
MKT 4450Customer Relationship Management *3
MKT 4510Omnichannel Marketing *3
MKT 4550XManaging for Creativity and Innovation *3
MKT 4560XDigital Marketing Analytics3
PR 2200Principles of Public Relations3
PR 3050Publicity Methods3
PSYCH 2800Social Psychology3
PSYCH 3140Motivation3
PSYCH 3270Persuasion and Social Influence3
PSYCH 3800Social Cognition3
PSYCH 4500Industrial Psychology3
SCM 3400Project Management *3
SCM 4400Supply Chain Information Systems *3
SCM 4730War and Peace and Supply Chains *3
SCM 4860Principles of Purchasing and Supply Management *3
SPCM 1100Listening3
SPCM 3120Business and Professional Speaking3
SPCM 3230Gender and Communication3
WLC 1190Introduction to World Languages3
† 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://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/degree/zminors-and-certificates/.

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:

  1. Demonstrate effective communication skills.
  2. Effectively lead and work in diverse teams.
  3. Critically solve business problems.
  4. Integrate ethical and global perspectives in decision making.

For more information about the MBA program with a specialization in Marketing, please visit: https://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/mba-full-time-details/.

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:

  1. Understand and advance knowledge.
  2. Create knowledge through original research.
  3. Teach effectively in an institution of higher education.

For more information about the Ph.D. program with a specialization in Marketing, please visit: https://ivybusiness.iastate.edu/phd/phd-marketing/.