IX. Graduate Programs
Marketing and Consumer Studies
Graduate Diploma in Market Research
The Graduate Diploma in Market Research serves two purposes:
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It serves as an early exit point for participants in the MSc in Marketing and Consumer Studies program. The Department periodically enrolls students in its MSc program who do well in their coursework but cannot complete their thesis research for a variety of reasons (such as illness, spousal job relocation, or other personal concerns).
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It meets the needs of students who want to extend their knowledge of market research beyond the level they obtained while taking their undergraduate degree, but either do not want to undertake a thesis-based degree or do not believe that they have the capacity or resources to complete one.
Admission Requirements - Transfer from MSc Program
Students who wish to exit early from the MSc in Marketing and Consumer Studies program and receive the Graduate Diploma in Market Research will apply to the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee for admission into the Diploma program. The Committee will make their decision based on reviewing the applicant’s grades and performance in the MSc in Marketing and Consumer Studies program and discussing his or her potential as a market research practitioner with the Department’s graduate faculty.
Admission Requirements – Direct Entry
Students who wish to enter directly into the Graduate Diploma in Market Research program will apply to the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee through the normal University application process. The Committee will make their decision on essentially the same bases as they do for the MSc program (applicant’s undergraduate background, undergraduate grades, and GRE or GMAT scores). However, in lieu of the research interests discussion paper required of MSc applicants, Graduate Diploma applicants will submit a discussion paper indicating why they are interested in the market research field.
Other than the orientation of the discussion paper, the admission requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Market Research will be the same as those for the MSc in Marketing and Consumer Studies program. This will ensure that students who enter directly into the Graduate Diploma program can consider switching into the MSc program.
Thus, candidates for both the proposed Graduate Diploma and for the already-existing MSc will generally be graduates of a four-year honours degree program (or equivalent) who maintained at least a B average in the final two years of their undergraduate program. They will have an academic background in consumer studies, the social sciences or humanities, or professional or business programs such as marketing, finance, or real estate, and they will have acceptable GRE or GMAT scores.
Alternatively, they may be exceptional applicants, such as those with considerable experience in a business or management role, who meet the minimum grade requirements but are lacking in the required academic areas. If so, their full acceptance into the program may be conditional upon successfully completing one or more recommended undergraduate courses in order to comply with program standards.
As the Chair of the Department’s Graduate Admissions Committee, the Graduate Coordinator will be responsible for notifying Graduate Studies of the Committee’s admission decisions. The Graduate Coordinator will also act as the primary advisor for all direct entry Diploma students until they either graduate or switch into the MSc program.
Degree Requirements
Students who are awarded the Graduate Diploma in Market Research will have taken courses for at least two semesters. To qualify for the Graduate Diploma, students will have successfully completed the following five courses, plus they will have regularly attended the Department’s 0.0 credit pass/fail weekly seminar class (MCS*6950) during both semesters: