New graduate degree in marketing emphasizes applied learning

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The new Master of Marketing program from Purdue University's Krannert School of Management has been ranked 15th by Financial Engineer journal. The recognition comes just months after the program's launch.  

The degree, designed as a one-year program, is geared toward students seeking a specialized marketing education immediately after college graduation. It attracts students with backgrounds in social sciences, health and human sciences, communications, business, computer science, engineering, and statistics.

Manu Kalwani, program director and OneAmerica Professor of Management, said 23 students are enrolled in the inaugural year, with an average GMAT score of 639 and a mean GPA of 3.35. The average work experience among the students is 53 months. 

"We did a holistic evaluation of the applications that we received, reviewing the quality of their degree granting institution, GPA, GMAT score, work experience, reference letters, co-curricular activity, and more importantly, their passion in pursuing a marketing career. Our overarching criterion in admitting a student for admission to the program was whether the person would have a good outcome upon graduation from the program and whether the person would enhance the learning experience of other students," Kalwani said.

The program focuses on consulting projects, case studies, hands-on exercises and marketing simulations. Each student is matched with a corporate mentor from Purdue's Marketing Advisory Board. The mentors provide career and professional advice preparing students for careers in brand management, product management, business development, marketing research and analytics, and marketing consulting and strategy.

For information about the program, visit www.krannert.purdue.edu/masters/programs/ms-marketing/home.asp. 

Writer: John Hughey, 765-494-2432, hugheyj@purdue.edu 

Source: Manu Kalwani, program director, 765-494-4400, kalwani@purdue.edu