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How long will it take to earn my master’s degree in IMC?
Most students are able to earn their master's degree in approximately two years. By completing two courses per session (with one in your final session), you may complete your degree in as few as eight sessions, or just under 1 ½ calendar years. By taking one course per session, you will complete your degree in 13 sessions, or just over 2 ½ calendar years.
- Is the IMC program accredited by a national organization?
Yes. Our program is accredited by
The Higher Learning Commission. It is listed along with the other accredited programs at
West Virginia University. The IMC program's CIP code is
09.0999, and can be found
here. Because multiple disciplines are "bucketed" under general listings, our program is listed under "Master of Science in Advertising, PR and Applied Communication."
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Are there particular class times when I must be online for the courses or may I work on my own schedule?
You may work online at your convenience and are not required to be online at any specific time. It makes no difference if you participate first thing in the morning or late at night or in which time zone you reside (although deadlines are always stated in Eastern Time).
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How is IMC coursework conducted?
All IMC coursework is conducted online using an educational software system called WVU eCampus. The primary components of each course include a discussion board for collaboration between students, reading assignments from assigned textbooks and articles, and written assignments.
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How much time should I expect to spend on coursework?
The workload in the IMC program is comparable to graduate-level courses offered in traditional classroom-based programs. However, it is much more intensive since IMC course sessions run only nine weeks. Most students spend approximately 12-15 hours per week on each course.
- Can I take time off from my coursework once I enter the program?
The program is flexible, and you can take some time off for personal reasons if necessary. The IMC program doesn’t encourage long breaks, however.
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Will I have time to work a full-time job and take the normal amount of classes?
Most IMC students work full time while enrolled in the program. Students should plan to devote approximately 12-15 hours per week for each course they are taking.
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Are there resources for open communication with my classmates and teachers?
Students communicate among themselves and with their instructors in a number of different ways. The course discussion board within eCampus provides the forum for not only class-related topics, but also for social and career networking. The IMC program website has an IMC Community section with a student directory. Many students also communicate with each other and instructors through private e-mail.
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How will a degree in IMC benefit my career?
IMC graduates consistently say that earning their IMC graduate degree was the best decision they could have made. Graduates (and even current students) enjoy being able to take what they’ve learned and use it the next day at the office. They also feel more competitive with regard to promotions and pay increases because their master’s degree sets them apart from the competition.
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Are there any unique qualities about the faculty of this program as compared to other IMC graduate programs?
Unlike many other programs, the WVU IMC faculty members aren't just academicians. Members of the IMC faculty are experienced industry professionals with a passion for sharing their expertise with others. And because the IMC program is completely online, geography does not limit the talented faculty the IMC program can attract. All IMC faculty members have master’s or doctoral degrees. They represent nearly all of the top 10 competitive markets in the U.S. Many have worked for Fortune 500 companies..
