Students with an emphasis in marketing match up with the 25% of Carlson School placements in recent years that have been categorized as marketing jobs. Of these, 20-25% are brand management positions, 65% are business-to-business, and the remaining 10% are business-to-consumer related positions. Graduates typically find positions in manufacturing, medical technology, financial services, and retail industries. Marketing research and marketing services/advertising positions are also taken. We have identified three tracks to help you organize your coursework and enterprise selection if you are interested in marketing.

Students pursuing a marketing emphasis will find the Carlson Brand Enterprise most relevant. Projects cut across brand management, marketing management, and marketing research in this enterprise, even though its primary focus is branding. Students interested in the marketing management track may also find the Carlson Consulting Enterprise relevant to their career interests.

It is recommended that the following classes be completed for an emphasis in marketing. A minimum of 12 credits is required.

Brand Management: At the highest level, brand managers supervise the marketing function for a specific brand of a consumer product. Initially, assistant brand managers work on a more limited range of duties for a brand. This is the classic career path sought by marketing MBAs. Many firms do not use this label anymore, but nevertheless maintain this career track. Brand managers commonly benefit from a background in supply chain and marketing strategy.

Highly Recommended Courses: Marketing

 

MKTG 6051	Marketing Research (4 credits)
MKTG 6082	Brand Management (4 credits)
MKTG 6075	Pricing Strategy (4 credits)
MKTG 6088	Strategic Marketing (2 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Marketing

 

MKTG 6055	Buyer Behavior (4 credits)
MKTG 6072	International Marketing (2 credits)
MKTG 6078	Integrated Marketing Communications (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Finance

 

FINA 6241

Corporate Finance Analysis and Decisions (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Strategy

 

MGMT 6031

Industry Analysis and Competitive Strategy (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Accounting

 

ACCT 6100

Financial Statement Analysis (4 credits)

 

 

Marketing Management: Marketing managers are involved in the broad marketing function for an organization. This career path is more closely associated with business-to-business marketing and services marketing, with the latter including organizations in the financial services, non-profit, and government sectors. This is the most common career path for a marketing MBA. These careers require an understanding of the products or services involved, and good interpersonal skills to develop strong customer relationships.

Highly Recommended Courses: Marketing

 

MKTG 6051	Marketing Research (4 credits)
MKTG 6082	Brand Management (4 credits)
MKTG 6060	Distribution & Supply Chain Systems (4 credits)
MKTG 6088	Strategic Marketing (2 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Marketing

 

MKTG 6055	Buyer Behavior (4 credits)
MKTG 6072	International Marketing (2 credits)
MKTG 6075	Pricing Strategy (4 credits)
MKTG 6078	Integrated Marketing Communications (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Finance

 

FINA 6241

Corporate Finance Analysis and Decisions (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Strategy

 

MGMT 6031

Industry Analysis and Competitive Strategy (4 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Accounting

 

ACCT 6100

Financial Statement Analysis (4 credits)

 

Marketing Research: Marketing researchers are responsible for the marketing information function of an organization. They collect, analyze, and interpret data regarding marketplace trends and preferences in support of marketing decision-making. Positions may be within a corporation or in a market research firm or advertising agency. This track requires specialized skills (quantitative and/or qualitative).

Highly Recommended Courses

 

MKTG 6051	Marketing Research (4 credits)
MKTG 6055	Buyer Behavior (4 credits)
SCO 6850	Regression Analysis (3 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Marketing

 

MKTG 6075	Pricing Strategy (4 credits)
MKTG 6078	Integrated Marketing Communications (4 credits)
MKTG 6082	Brand Management (4 credits)
MKTG 6088	Strategic Marketing (2 credits)

 

Suggested Courses: Operations

 

SCO 6059

Quality Management and Six Sigma (4 credits)

 

Students should keep in mind that not all courses listed above are offered every semester. Students should check One Stop and/or the Class Schedule page to verify each semester's course offerings as well as the professors assigned to those courses.

Brief course descriptions and a tentative list of when the course is being offered can be found on the Courses page.

Department Advisor:

Kevin Upton
Senior Lecturer
upton006@umn.edu

Student Affairs Advisor:

Christina Holdvogt
Associate Director of Student Affairs
612-625-7582
choldvog@umn.edu

MBA Admissions Advisor

Peter Woxland
Associate Director of Admissions & Recruiting
612-626-0727
woxla005@umn.edu

Christina Holdvogt
Registrar and Advising Manager
612-626-0010
choldvog@umn.edu

Peter Woxland
Registrar and Advising Manager
612-626-7553
woxla005@umn.edu

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.