Marketing Concentration (Advanced Standing)
The Advanced Standing Concentration is designed for undergraduate students from non-marketing majors who wish to gain expertise in marketing and communication. This concentration consists of four accelerated advanced courses offering eligible students an opportunity to engage deeply with core marketing concepts and practices. All concentration courses are advanced standing and can be applied to requirements in the M.S. in Marketing and Communication upon program admission.
The Advanced Standing Concentration is built upon the four-course sequence with courses in branding and content creation, digital marketing and advertising, consumer behavior, and market research for design and innovation. The Advanced Standing Concentration coursework is highly applied and industry-aligned, emphasizing hands-on learning, real-world projects, and the use of current marketing technologies and platforms. Students develop in-demand skills in strategic branding, digital campaign development, audience analysis, and data-driven decision-making, while also earning relevant certifications that enhance career readiness. This shared curricular experience ensures that all participants graduate with practical, marketable skills and a strong foundation for success in advanced study and in today’s evolving marketing and communication landscape.
Program Details
- Requires completion of 20QH of coursework cross-listed with the following graduate courses:
- Requires completion of all courses at NLU, transfer credit or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) will not be accepted
- Requires completion of all courses with a grade of "B" or better to apply them to graduate degree requirements
- Advanced Standing coursework with a grade of "C" or better will apply to undergraduate degree requirements
- Students may not take any Advanced Standing Concentration courses more than twice (including withdrawn courses)
Program Learning Outcomes
PLO-1: Evaluate and apply digital tools, data analytics, SEO, AI, and emerging technologies to design multi-channel marketing and communication strategies.
PLO-2: Create and produce professional-grade content, branding strategies, and persuasive multi-media campaigns that are audience-centered and responsive to industry needs.
PLO-3: Interpret marketing metrics, analytics, and performance data to evaluate the effectiveness of campaigns and to formulate data-driven recommendations that optimize strategic decision-making.
Admission Requirements
- Students must:
- Have a 3.0 or higher NLU GPA
- Be at Junior standing (90 QH or more of earned credit)
- Though all four courses apply to degree requirements, approval for the Marketing Advanced Standing Concentration does not include direct entry to the M.S. Marketing and Communication program. Students must apply for graduate admission and meet all of the requirements for subsequent enrollment.
Advanced Standing Marketing Concentration - 20 QH
Required Courses
Advanced standing requirements:
Students completing the advanced standing courses in the Marketing concentration are eligible to have these courses applied to degree requirements both in their current undergraduate program and, upon meeting eligibility criteria and acceptance, to the specifically designed NLU graduate program. This concentration serves as an advanced pathway to the
M.S. in Marketing and Communication program. To be eligible, students must complete the advanced standing courses at NLU. Students should contact their Academic Advisor for details as
certain rules apply.