2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Marketing, BS


Banner Code:  BU-BS-MKTG

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
Phone: 703-993-1880
Web: som.gmu.edu

The BS in marketing prepares students for a broad range of global and domestic career options in market and consumer research, brand management, advertising, customer relationship management, new market and business development, and marketing strategy. Marketing opportunities are increasing in the new economy as firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations adopt a market orientation.

A marketing major provides students with a solid background in marketing concepts and practices, with emphasis on market analysis and planning, research, and consumer behavior. Because marketing draws on a variety of disciplines for its foundation and is practiced globally, marketing majors are encouraged to take electives in related fields such as psychology, sociology, economics, public policy, international studies, computer science, and foreign languages.

Entering the School of Management


Application to the School of Management’s (SOM) bachelor of science degree programs is in addition to the George Mason University`s admissions process.  After acceptance to Mason, students who wish to pursue a major in accounting (ACCT), information systems and operations management (ISOM), finance (FNAN), management (MGMT), or marketing (MKTG) must submit a separate application to the School of Management.  Students entering the School of Management are initially designated as “bachelor-pre” (BPRE) until successfully completing the SOM application requirements and obtaining bachelor of science (BS) degree status.

Acceptance to the SOM bachelor of science program is competitive based on applicants’ cumulative GPAs from all institutions attended. Students may apply for acceptance into the School of Management a maximum of two times.

SOM Application Requirements


Students are responsible for the application requirements in effect at the time of application to SOM and should check som.gmu.edu/ for changes to the requirements.   The following requirements are for the academic year 2011-12:

  1. Successfully complete at least 48 credits with at least 9 credits earned at Mason prior to the semester of admission.
  2. Applicants must successfully complete all courses taken in the semester of application with a grade of “C” or higher.
  3. Successful completion of the following courses with a grade of C or better:

Deadlines for Application to BS Degree Status


Students should submit their formal application to the School of Management before the deadline of the semester they are completing the requirements listed above. The deadlines are:

  • November 1 for acceptance the following spring semester; 
  • July 1 for acceptance the following fall semester.

For more information about the application process, contact the Office of Academic and Career Services, 703-993-1880, or visit som.gmu.edu.

Academic Advising


Academic planning for undergraduate students is available in the SOM Office of Academic and Career Services, Enterprise Hall, Room 008. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor regularly. Any student who wishes to change to a major in SOM must consult a SOM academic advisor for degree requirements. For more information about walk-in advising hours or scheduling an appointment, call 703-993-1880, or go to som.gmu.edu.

BU-BS Degree Requirements


SOM students pursuing a BS degree must complete a minimum of 120 credits, including the University General Education  requirements, SOM general education, SOM core courses, and major requirements.  In addition, the following requirements must be met:
 

  • A minimum of 45 credits at the 300- or 400-level. 
  • A minimum of 30 credits of SOM core and major courses at Mason. 
  • At least 9 credits required for the specific major and SOM 498 taken at Mason. 
  • A grade of C or higher earned in the SOM core and major requirements.

Students should carefully examine prerequisites for SOM courses. Students may be removed from a course if they enroll without having fulfilled the prerequisites.

General Education Requirements (31-32 credits)


SOM students must complete the University General Education  requirements, plus 1 additional credit of natural science (the SOM natural science requirement must be fulfilled by completing two 4-credit laboratory sciences).

SOM General Education (15-16 credits)


SOM Core Courses (35 Credits)


A grade of C or higher is required in each of the School of Management core courses listed below. Students will not be permitted to make more than three attempts to achieve a C or higher in the following School of Management core courses: ACCT 301, BULE 302, FNAN 301, MGMT 301, MIS 301, MKTG 301, OM 301 and SOM 301. Those who do not successfully complete these core courses within three attempts will be terminated from their major and will not be eligible to receive a degree from the School of Management. For more information about this, see the “Termination from the Major” section under Academic Policies .

General Electives (20 credits)


General electives may be selected from any University or SOM course, except courses designated for the Business minor (MSOM).

Major Requirements in Marketing (18 Credits)


Electives (choose three):


Students may select any 300-400 level MKTG courses (except MKTG 301) to fulfill the elective requirement, including, but not limited to, courses from the following list:

▲ Concentration in Internet Marketing Resiliency (IMR)


Marketing also offers a concentration in Internet marketing resiliency within the marketing major. This concentration prepares students to enhance and protect the electronic marketing efforts of their firms.

Required Course for IMR


For the IMR concentration, students must complete:

Total hours: 120