University Catalog

Objective: Master of Science in Marketing Research

The objective of the Master of Science in Marketing Research (MSMR) is to prepare students for successful careers in marketing research, marketing planning, product or brand management, and related fields. The program is project oriented; many of the required advanced courses conduct client projects as a part of the course requirements. The projects are team-based; class members work in teams to accomplish project objectives.

Assistantships

Graduate Teaching Assistantships may be offered to students who have been accepted in the program. The Marketing Department will request and evaluate the applications and make the selection of applicants for the positions based on departmental needs and university requirements. Graduate Research Assistantships may be offered on an as needed basis. When GRA positions are available, the Marketing faculty involved in the project will solicit applications from students who have been admitted to the program. The applicants will be evaluated by the appropriate faculty.

Scholarships

Students who have been accepted into the program are encouraged to pursue scholarship opportunities within the College of Business and the university.

Scholarship funds from the member firms of the MSMR Advisory Board and the MSMR Alumni Association may be available to support students who have been accepted into the program and are enrolled full-time and in good standing with the University.

Students are advised that scholarship opportunities are available. A faculty committee and, if appropriate, MSMR alumni select recipients based on a rank ordering of eligible students

Accreditation

The Master of Science in Marketing Research degree is accredited by the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Science in Marketing Research (MSMR)  program is based on completion of the general admission requirements of  Graduate Admissions. For MSMR program admission a score on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the official record of undergraduate (and post-graduate, if applicable) are required. The GMAT is preferred.

Applicants for whom English is not their native language must also present official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), TOEFL iBT, Test of Spoken English (TSE) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The MSMR program’s objective is to have all applicants qualified to be either Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTA) or Graduate Research Assistants. (GRA).

A standardized test score (GMAT or GRE) will not be used as the sole criterion for determining an applicant’s admission to the MSMR program. The admission decision is made based on the totality of information listed below:

1. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) greater than 3.25 on a 4-point scale (as calculated by Graduate Admissions) is indicative of an applicant who is likely to be successful in the program. The GPA calculated by the Graduate School is based on the last 60 hours of the undergraduate program. A graduate GPA is used when it is 3.0 or above and based on at least 24 hours.
2. Either the GMAT or the GRE will be considered for the admission decision. On both the GMAT and GRE, both quantitative and verbal component percentiles above the 50th percentile are indicative of an applicant who can be successful in the program. A GMAT combined score of 580 or above is indicative of an applicant who is likely to be successful in the program. There is no commonly accepted conversion from GRE to GMAT for combined scores. The algorithm provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) is used to estimate the likely GMAT combined score for student who have submitted GRE score to be considered for admission. The midpoint of the confidence interval is assumed to be an estimator for a likely GMAT combined score. The results from 1 and 2 above are combined to create an index. The index is created by multiplying the GPA by 200 and adding the GMAT combined score (or the estimate based on GRE scores.) An index score of 1200 or greater is indicative of an applicant who is likely to be successful in the program.
3. International applicants must submit official scores of measures designed to demonstrate English language proficiency. English language proficiency is indicative of an applicant who is likely to be successful in the program. The MSMR program’s objective is to have all students qualified to be able to perform as Graduate Teaching Assistants and/or Graduate Research Assistants. The MSMR program requires a minimum of 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, a score of at least 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, a minimum score of 40 on the TSE, a minimum score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 with section scores of at least 22 for the writing section, 23 for the speaking section, 20 for the reading section, and 16 for the listening section. International students who do not meet program requirements may be asked to provide additional information to demonstrate English language proficiency.
4. Grades in specific undergraduate business and non-business courses (math, accounting, economics, statistics, for example).
5. Educational objectives and passion for marketing research, as well as quality of written expression of the 200 word application essay or the personal statement.
6. Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the applicant’s work ethic as evidenced in academic background or work experience.
7. A personal interview in person or by telephone.
8. General and specific program accreditation status of degree-granting institution.
9. Professional work experience.
10. Professional certification or licensure.

Unconditional Admission

To be considered for Unconditional Admission, the applicant’s index score should be 1200 or higher, and items 3 through 10 above should be indicative of strong potential to be successful in this program.

Probationary Admission

For an applicant with an index score below 1200, probationary admission may be available when items of 1 through 10 above strongly indicate potential for successful academic performance as an MSMR student. When GMAT Verbal or Quantitative percentiles are below the 50th percentile, probationary admission may be available. For applicants submitting the GRE as part of the application for admission, when GRE verbal or Quantitative percentiles are below the 50th percentile, probationary admission may be available. Students admitted on probationary status for low verbal or quantitative percentiles must satisfactorily complete one or more English and/or math courses in the first two semesters as specified by the Graduate Advisor. Students who are admitted on probation must meet the conditions specified, such as GPA of not less than a 3.0 for the first 12 hours of graduate study and any required undergraduate course.

Provisional Admission

A provisional decision to admit an applicant may be granted when the applicant meets the criteria for unconditional or probationary admission but one or more applicant credentials are missing from the applicant file.

Admission Denial

If an applicant’s record does not provide sufficient evidence of likelihood of being successful in the program following careful review of all available information, admission will be denied.

Degree Requirements

The program is designed primarily for students who have earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA or equivalent). For those students, the program consists of the 36 semester hours of Advanced Courses.

Students with degrees other than BBA are required to take up to 21 Hours of Foundation courses required by the College of Business. Foundation courses may be waived if equivalent coursework has been completed with a grade of B or better within the previous 5 years.

Students are encouraged to complete deficiency requirements prior to admission or at the beginning of their studies. College courses in business math (including probability and set theory, linear equations, matrix algebra, compound interest, annuities, and differential and integral calculus), business statistics, and computers (including general topics, spreadsheets and word processing and electronic communications) may be taken prior to entry into the program.

Marketing Research Internship

The Marketing Research Internships (MARK 5396 MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNSHIP I and MARK 5397 MARKETING RESEARCH INTERNSHIP II) represent an integrative component of the MSMR program. MSMR students are responsible for developing the relationships necessary to secure an internship offer. The internship opportunities developed by the students require approval by the Marketing Department.

The internships each consist of a minimum of 240 hours (12 weeks half-time); the typical internship parallels the start and end of a semester (spring, summer and fall) but internship opportunities may require a more lengthy commitment on the part of the student.

The MSMR intern must be working on marketing research projects; they must have some managerial input into the project; and they must be supervised by someone with a background in marketing research.

Admission and Degree Requirements

Please see the Ph.D.in Business Administration section of this catalog for admission and degree requirements for the Ph.D.in Business Administration (Marketing emphasis)