Marketing

Bachelor's in marketing

Marketing is about strategy and the ability to distribute ideas, goods and services to satisfy the needs of the public. Through the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University, marketing students learn the process of pricing, product planning, distribution and promotion to meet the goals of any given organization. Career opportunities in marketing include, but are not limited to advertising, public relations, product planning, sales, research and marketing management.

As a complement to the marketing major, students may pursue:

Advertising concentration: Prepares students to work in advertising agencies, public institutions and other organizations where promotional issues play a particularly prominent role.
Marketing management concentration: Studies focus on automotive marketing, international marketing, personal selling and sales management and retailing.
Digital marketing and analytics concentration: Focuses on digital media planning, search engine marketing and optimization, and social media marketing.

Courses focus on many subjects, including:

Market systems and strategy
Methods of gathering and analyzing data
Consumer and organizational buyer behavior
International marketing
Advertising principles
The purchasing function

Campus options

As a marketing major, you can complete your major requirements at WSU's main campus in Midtown Detroit or at any WSU satellite campus offering the required classes.

AGRADE program

Highly qualified marketing majors are eligible to participate in the Accelerated Graduate Enrollment (AGRADE) program. AGRADE students can cut substantial time and as much as one-third off the total cost of a WSU graduate business degree program by applying up to 12 credits toward both their marketing management degree and M.B.A. or other graduate business degree.

Departmental honors

Current Mike Ilitch School of Business students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher may enroll in courses with an honors component assignment option and complete the 15 required credits to qualify for an honors distinction on their transcript and diploma at graduation. Review departmental honors eligibility and requirements.

Study abroad

Study abroad programs organized by the Ilitch School are offered in Italy and Central Europe. These opportunities are led by faculty and involve visits with the foreign operations of Detroit-area companies and various cultural sites. Students majoring in global supply chain management, marketing, management and technology, information systems and analytics (TISA), as well as graduate students, are strongly encouraged to fulfill some of their program requirements via an Ilitch School study abroad program. For undergraduate majors in accounting or finance, a study abroad course could be applied toward Free Elective credit hours. Please check with your academic advisor for guidance before pursuing the study abroad option.

Marketing careers

Marketing continues to be an essential organizational component. Graduates of the major can expect the field to grow as businesses strive to increase their market share through research and traditional marketing channels as well as through the continued growth of social media. Those with internship experience will be in higher demand.

Marketing career titles can include: