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Every organization has an interest in marketing itself to others. Marketers excel in communications, teamwork, strategic thinking and sales – all skills that are in high demand by employers. They work as account executives, PR specialists, marketing/brand/sales managers, creative directors, market research analysts and more. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree have a solid job outlook and, even better, excellent salary potential.
Marketing may be a growing field, but competition for jobs is fierce. To get ahead, you’ll need to research what employers are looking for, seek out internships and be prepared to work your way up the career ladder. Look for education programs that ground you in real-world skills – e.g. digital marketing, data analysis, IT, content marketing, social media, etc. – and connect you to useful career opportunities.
The Department of Marketing at the University of Minnesota Duluth is part of the Labovitz School of Business and Economics. Students can pursue a Bachelor in Business Administration with a major in one of the following: Marketing, Marketing Analytics, and Marketing and Graphic Design. Graduates of the program gain an extensive understanding of consumer behavior, learn to formulate and implement marketing strategies and communicate with their target markets, and develop an appreciation for the ethical and global dimensions of marketing.
10,878 Students
The May Business School at Texas A & M University College Station has a Bachelor in Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree with a Major in Marketing. Students pursuing this degree can choose from the following tracks: Advertising Strategy, Analytics and Consulting, Professional Selling and Sales Management, and Retail Buying and Management. Mays also offers a Master of Science in Marketing (MS-Marketing) program. Students accepted to this program are automatically considered for departmental scholarship and/or graduate assistantship. The school offers a Ph.D. in Business Administration program where students can select Marketing as their area of concentration. The program gives students the option of choosing either the Quantitative Track or the Consumer Behavior Track.
63,813 Students
All three campuses of Rutgers University offer a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. At the Camden campus, marketing majors can join the student-run Marketing Association and take an international marketing course that includes a study trip abroad. Students are encouraged to perform an internship in their junior or senior year. MBA students can take a concentration in marketing (all campuses) or in marketing research insights and analytics (Rutgers Business School in Newark and New Brunswick). RBS also has a Ph.D. in Marketing for students who want to perform research or teach. Rutgers Business School is home to about 20 business-related research centers, including the Center for Marketing Research and the Center for Market Advantage.
11,720 Students
Marketing majors can apply for the UIC Business Scholars program, which partners them with a faculty mentor, grants them access to special courses and events with industry insiders, and provides a minimum annual scholarship of $5,000. Applicants must hold a 3.4 high school GPA and have earned a 27 on the ACT. Those working toward an MS in Marketing or an MBA with a concentration in Marketing can fund their studies with graduate assistantships and/or partial tuition and fee waivers. High-achieving MBAers qualify for the Liautaud Scholars program, which comes with free tuition. The PhD in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing gives assistantship positions to all candidates, along with free tuition and a stipend.
29,048 Students
The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities offers a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) where students can work towards a major or minor in Marketing. The school has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a specialization in Marketing. MBA students who select Marketing as their focus area can organize their coursework and enterprise selection according to one of the following tracks: Brand Management, Marketing Management, and Marketing Research. The Carlson School of Management also has a Ph.D. in Business Management program with a concentration in Marketing. The program covers economic and social processes between buyers and sellers as well as the role of transportation, logistics trade-offs and channels of distribution.
50,678 Students
The Business School at Rutgers University offers an undergraduate major in marketing, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing. Marketing majors complete 12 business core courses in subjects like accounting, management skills, operations management, business law and statistical methods. Marketing majors are also required to complete three core marketing courses and four marketing electives. The M.B.A. in Marketing is a 60-credit program that can be completed on a full or part-time basis. Part-time students take most of their courses in the evening for more scheduling flexibility. Students in the marketing concentration take coursework in subjects like advertising and promotion, brand management, digital marketing, marketing insights, marketing research, marketing strategy and sales management.
6,408 Students
Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree can do so at the Department of Management and Marketing at SUNY Oswego's School of Business. Students who are exploring careers in broadcast sales, programming, and management, advertising and marketing for broadcast stations can enroll in the joint program coordinated by the School of Business and the School of Communications Media and the Arts. Students admitted to this five-year program will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and a Master of Business Administration (Broadcasting BA/MBA).
7,937 Students
Through its Walker College of Business, Appalachian State University's Department of Marketing offers a BSBA in Marketing, as well as a marketing minor. Additionally, ASU's Department of Communication offers undergraduate majors in advertising and public relations. The BSBA in Marketing requires 15 credit hours of structured marketing core courses and three hours of marketing electives. The BS in Public Relations requires 51 major credits in subjects like journalism, media publishing, public relations writing and communication research methods, while the BS in advertising requires 45 major credits in subjects like persuasion, advertising ethics and communication law. The Walker College of Business offers marketing-specific scholarships, like the W. E. "Pat" Patton III Endowed Marketing Scholarship, and the Department of Communication offers several communications scholarships, including the Joe S. Epley Scholarship for public relations majors.
17,932 Students
The Department of Marketing at UMass Amherst is part of the Isenberg School of Business. The school offers a Bachelor in Business Administration program with a concentration in Marketing. Students pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at Isenberg can also choose Marketing as their area of specialization. Full-time MBA students are awarded a two-year Isenberg MBA Fellowship that includes full tuition, an annual stipend and health care. Undergraduate marketing students may be eligible for the following scholarship programs: William P. (Red) Curtin Memorial Scholarship, ERC Wiping Products Inc. Scholarship and the Sara Christie Schewe Memorial Scholarship. Isenberg also offers a Ph.D. program in marketing where students learn about consumer and corporate behavior, public policy, social media and sales management.
29,269 Students
Through its Department of Marketing, Saint Cloud State University offers a BS in Marketing, a marketing minor and a certificate in professional selling. The BS in Marketing includes 27 credits in major courses, with students learning concepts like product planning and management, distribution, marketing research, retailing, and advertising and promotion. The professional selling certificate is a 15-credit program that can be taken as a specialization by students of all majors. Saint Cloud State's Department of Mass Communication also offers an undergraduate major in mass communication with concentrations in advertising and public relations and an MS in Strategic Media Communications. Marketing scholarships include the $1,000 Marco Inc. Professional Selling Specialization Scholarship and the Robert Calhoun Scholarship, which ranges from $500 to $1,000.
16,096 Students
Michigan Technological University's School of Business and Economics offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing that combines the basic principles of marketing with elective coursework in fields like entrepreneurship, global marketing, technical communications, technology and innovation, and econometrics. The B.S. curriculum includes 15 core courses, four required major courses and four major electives. Marketing students also have the opportunity to get professional experience through an internship or the Business Development Experience, in which students collaborate to develop and present a business plan. Another unique opportunity for marketing students is the Silicon Valley Spring Break experience, where students from the School of Business and Economics meet with successful tech entrepreneurs. Additionally, marketing students can participate in student organizations like the American Marketing Association (AMA) or the Michigan Tech Entrepreneurs Club.
7,218 Students
The Bachelor of Business in Marketing at Western Illinois University (also available as a minor) has two tracks - Enterprise Marketing and Marketing Technology. Moreover, it can be combined with an MBA as part of a five-year integrated program, helping students enter the workforce quicker. Before that point, students at both the Macomb and Quad Cities campus can join the Marketing Club to take part in speaker presentations and social events. Undergrads compete for awards with other majors within the College of Business and Technology.
11,094 Students
Winona State University's College of Business offers a Bachelor of Science program with a major in Marketing (BSM). BSM students can choose to add a minor in Professional Selling. The Department of Marketing allows non-BSM students to choose Marketing as their minor. Marketing majors may be eligible for the following scholarships: Gordon Espy Scholarship, Helen B. Imm Scholarship and the Kujak Transport, Inc. Scholarship. BSM students with a Professional Selling Minor can apply for the Michael Garvey Professional Selling Scholarship.
8,490 Students
Students accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Business Management program at Stony Brook University have the option of selecting marketing as their area of specialization. The program prepares students for a variety of managerial and professional job opportunities in fields such as product management, business development, public relations, and marketing research. The university also offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing program. MBA students with an undergraduate degree in business follow the 36-credit track, while those with a non-business degree follow the 48-credit track. Full-time undergraduates with excellent academic records can apply for the W. Turner Founding Dean Scholarship. Graduate students with at least three years of work experience are considered for the Doelger Graduate Scholarship.
25,272 Students
Lake Area Technical Institute offers a business degree in marketing and management. This option takes 20 months to complete, and over the course of the program, students will learn sales strategies, promotion/advertising techniques, price determination, evaluation of customer needs, government regulations, and more. The program features courses that are active and provide students with a lot of hands-on experience that will prove valuable in the real world. Students can expect to interact with professionals and businesses in the real world and participate in projects in real businesses. Students are also required to participate in an internship.
1,846 Students
Marketing is one of the concentrations available for students in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program at Castleton University. Marketing majors take 40 credits in core business courses and 24 credits in marketing classes such as consumer behavior, marketing research, and social media marketing. To gain real-world experience, students can perform an internship, which can be paid or unpaid, and they can receive academic credit. Outside the classroom, marketing students may be eligible for the Sigma Beta Delta business honor society and can join the Business Club. The Business Administration Department grants several scholarships annually and hosts guest speakers and career fairs.
2,246 Students
The College of Business at Iowa State University offers an undergraduate major in marketing that teaches students how to make marketing management decisions that maintain customer satisfaction. The undergraduate marketing curriculum includes marketing core courses in marketing research, community behavior and strategic marketing management, and elective courses in subjects like personal sales, promotional strategy, retailing and global marketing. The School of Journalism and Communication at ISU also offers undergraduate majors in advertising and public relations. Several scholarships are available to marketing, advertising and public relations students, including the Deere Scholarships in Marketing and Management, the Jack Engel Advertising Scholarship and the Meyocks Group Public Relations Scholarship.
35,714 Students
The College of Business at Ferris State University has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program where students can choose either Integrated Marketing Techniques or Marketing Sales as a Minor. The college also offers bachelor programs in Healthcare Marketing and in Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications. There are a number of certificate programs available, including the following marketing-related fields: Advertising/Integrated Marketing, E-Commerce Marketing, Direct Marketing, Marketing Research, Marketing Sales, Business-to-Business Marketing, and Retailing. The university's Marketing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Marketing students may be eligible for the following scholarships: American Photo Marketing Annual Scholarship, Godfrey Parsons Annual Scholarship, Michigan Printing Association Annual Scholarship, and the E-Commerce Marketing Scholarship (CADMEF).
14,715 Students
The School of Business at SUNY New Paltz offers an undergraduate major in business. Students can select from a general marketing track or a food marketing track.To earn this degree, students take 40 credits in core business curriculum and 21 credits in the marketing specialization. In their free time, marketing majors can join the campus chapter of the American Marketing Association, which takes part in collegiate competitions and prepares marketing research studies and marketing plans for nonprofits and small businesses in the area, giving students hands-on experience in a real-world situation. New Paltz was No. 7 Best Public Regional University-North in the 2018 U.S. News & World Report rankings.
7,751 Students
The Dillard College of Business Administration at Midwestern State University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing that requires students to complete 30 credits in marketing classwork along with 27 credits in the professional business core. Outside the classroom, you can mingle with other students through the Delta Sigma Pi professional fraternity for business majors, which sponsors educational and networking events, and the Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society for AACSB-accredited programs. Students can also gain hands-on experience with an internship arranged by Dillard College. The college administers about 20 named scholarships, and marketing students can apply for awards such as the W.J. Thomas Memorial scholarship, which is granted based on need and motivation.
6,043 Students
At the University of Florida, the Department of Marketing is part of the Warrington College of Business Administration. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Marketing as a major (BSBA-MKG). Students in this program can choose to pursue a Master of International Business (MIB) or a Master of Science in Information Systems (MSISOM) through the combined degree programs. Under a combined degree program, students can include master's courses to their bachelor's degree requirements. The department also has an MBA program with a concentration in Marketing, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing.
50,645 Students
The University of Illinois offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree through the Department of Business Administration. Students learn how to apply a diverse set of research methodologies, such as quantitative modeling, experimental designs, and survey approaches, to different marketing-related challenges. The curriculum includes coursework in marketing research, consumer behavior, business process management, information technology for networked organizations, and advanced marketing management. Marketing is also offered as an area of specialization in the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration program. Doctoral students work alongside faculty to conduct extensive research on a number of marketing issues such as logistics management, consumer psychology, and cross-cultural consumer behavior. Doctoral candidates pursue a plan of study that is tailor-made to support their specific research interests.
45,842 Students
The Department of Marketing at the University of Iowa oversees four programs: a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, an MBA with a Marketing concentration (the 2019 class will be the last), a graduate-level Marketing Certificate, and a PhD in Marketing. The undergrad program boasts that 98 percent of its alums find jobs or enter grad school within six months; those who choose the former average salaries worth $42,000 a year. The Iowa Degree in Three program helps BBA enrollees who accumulated college credit in high school, whether through Advanced Placement or other means, finish a year early.
30,844 Students
Business Administration majors at Berea College in Kentucky can choose Marketing as a concentration. Berea ranks as one of the nation's most innovative colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report, in part because of its no-tuition promise. Nobody pays for tuition, with funding coming from the college or outside sources. There's a caveat - to even apply to Berea, students need to meet the school's financial need parameters. Considering that there are still books and fees to pay for, students may want to pursue a five- or 10-hour teaching associate position within the Economics and Business Department. During the summer, the department's Mason Endowment helps fund travel and room and board for internships.
1,643 Students
At North Carolina State University, undergrads or graduate students can select a concentration in marketing while earning a degree in business administration. The Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing includes 12 core business classes and 12 credits within the concentration area. Undergrads are eligible for about 25 scholarships with awards of up to $3,000 per year. The Jenkins MBA program has an experiential focus and has marketing management as one of six available concentrations. The full-time MBA program, which meets for daytime classes on the campus in Raleigh, runs for 21 months. Full-time MBA candidates may be eligible for assistantships. U.S. News ranked the NC State business school No. 57 in the 2018 rankings.
34,015 Students
Alfred University's School of Business offers an undergraduate major and minor in marketing. Students in the marketing major are required to complete 13 professional business core courses in subjects like accounting, finance, business law, international business and operations management. Additionally, marketing majors are required to complete six marketing core courses that teach students about marketing research, consumer behavior, promotion strategy, strategic marketing management and graphic design. Students also have the option to complete a marketing practicum. The marketing minor requires the completion of four core courses and six credits of marketing electives. Marketing students also have the opportunity to participate in the AU Chapter of the American Marketing Association.
Binghamton University's School of Management offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) with a concentration in marketing. The Marketing BSBA degree focuses on the functional areas of management and incorporates a marketing focus through coursework in marketing research, consumer behavior, marketing strategy, product management and advertising. The marketing curriculum utilizes theoretical, conceptual and practical methods of learning. Some teaching methods employed in the program include team projects, case analysis and marketing simulation games. Students also spend time analyzing ethical and international issues related to marketing and have the opportunity to complete internships for academic credit. The School of Management offers various scholarship opportunities to its students, including the four-year Allen and Ellen Zwickler Scholarship, which is reserved for students in five majors including marketing.
16,913 Students
The School of Business at Fredonia State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Marketing degree. The curriculum includes coursework that covers essential marketing topics such as consumer behavior, marketing research, managerial finance, marketing management, organizational behavior, and integrated marketing communications. The university has established 4 + 1 BS/MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs with other universities that allow Fredonia business graduates to obtain an MBA degree within one year after graduation. Formal 4 + 1 BS/MBA agreements are currently in place with the following universities: Alfred, Canisius, Clarkson, Long Island, Niagara, Oswego, St. Bonaventure, and Syracuse University. Students can earn up to 24 credits of internship of the total 120 credits needed for the BSBA in Marketing degree.
4,842 Students
The Department of Marketing at Michigan State University offers marketing programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral level. The BA in Marketing includes 51 credits of business core classes and 15 marketing credits. The MS in Marketing Research can be taken as a one year full-time program or a 19 month online program. The PhD in Marketing is a full-time, on-campus program that prepares students for a career of scholarly research in the field of marketing. All students in the Marketing PhD program receive financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships or fellowships. MSU's Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Retailing also offers a BA in Advertising, MA in Advertising, MA in Public Relations and PhD in Media and Information Studies.
50,538 Students
Towson University's College of Business and Economics offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing. This program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students are encouraged to complete at least one professional internship program during their tenure at the university. Towson also offers a Master of Science in Marketing Intelligence degree. Students learn how to analyze and use marketing data and research in order to plan and implement strategic decisions in a variety of professional settings. There is also a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Interactive Marketing available. Students have the option of completing this certificate as a stand-alone program, or applying the credits for the certificate towards the MS degree.
22,284 Students
The Department of Marketing and Management is part of UNO's College of Business Administration. It offers a Marketing Program with the following areas of specializations: Advertising Management, Marketing Management, Business Marketing, Sales and Sales Management, and Marketing Research. The college has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program with a concentration in Marketing. Students admitted to the program graduate with an extensive understanding of marketing principles including promotional strategy, advertising and social media, international marketing, customer motivations, and behaviors and strategic planning.
15,526 Students
Northwest Missouri State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree through the Booth College of Business and Professional Studies. This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Students accepted to the program are required to complete coursework in key marketing areas such as consumer behavior, marketing research, promotion, marketing management, and sales and sales management. Marketing majors can participate in Knacktive, a one-semester collaborative course that provides students with opportunities to craft digital marketing campaigns and promotional materials for real-world clients. Although an internship is not required to earn the BS in Marketing degree, students are encouraged to participate in at least one internship program during their residence at the university.
6,593 Students
City College of New York offers specialized programs for students interested in marketing through its Department of Media and Communication Arts. Undergrads with at least 45 credits may apply for the Bachelor of Arts in Advertising & Public Relations program. Students in the program take both advertising and public relations sequences and complete the program with a practicum workshop where they create a communications campaign for a real client representing a community-minded cause. Graduate students can earn a Branding and Integrated Communications Master of Professional Studies. This 36-credit program combines theory and practice, with students compiling a professional portfolio while earning their degree. Departmental scholarships include the Ad Club of New York BIC Scholarship ($2,500).
15,778 Students
The Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree at St. Joseph's College is offered through the Department of Business Administration. Students admitted to the program have two optional areas of concentration - sports management and finance. The program provides students with a solid foundation in market and product development; students learn how to use marketing as an essential tool in the development of an effective business strategy. The curriculum includes coursework in marketing promotion and advertising, public relations, computer assisted graphic design, marketing research, and consumer motivation and behavior. Most classes are held in the evenings and on weekends. There is also a 12-credit Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations Certificate available designed for students pursuing a non-marketing major at the college.
4,749 Students
Students admitted to the School of Management at Texas Woman's University can pursue one of two bachelor degree programs: a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business (B.A.S.) - General. B.B.A. students can choose from the following fields of concentrations: Accounting, Business Administration (general), Finance, Management, Human Resource Management, and Marketing. All of the undergraduate and graduate programs at TWU's School of Management are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
15,286 Students
The College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Marketing degree with three areas of emphasis: professional sales, digital marketing promotions, and sustainable pathways to marketing. No matter what area of emphasis they choose, all marketing majors are required to take courses in the following: buyer behavior, distribution channels, global marketing, product and price policies, and marketing research. The university also offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Students accepted to the PhD program must commit to a full-time plan of study. Doctoral candidates customize their program by enrolling in courses that support their interests and are most relevant to their planned research.
28,776 Students
The Belk College of Business at the University of North Carolina Charlotte offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in marketing. This program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Students accepted to the program can choose between the two areas of concentration available - marketing or marketing analytics. Upper division courses include topics such as marketing concepts, managerial economics, business communications, management information systems, and business law. Marketing is also offered as an area of concentration in the Master of Business Administration program available at the college. MBA candidates must select four marketing courses (12 credits) from a prescribed list of offerings in order to complete the requirements for the concentration.
27,983 Students
The College of Business and Economics (CBE) at the University of Idaho is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), thereby assuring that all their programs meet the high industry standards of the organization. Students accepted to the Bachelor of Science in Marketing program can customize their degree by choosing one of the following areas of emphasis: entrepreneurship, general marketing, or PGA Golf Management. Upper division students take core marketing courses that cover key topics such as marketing research and analysis, new venture creation, consumer behavior, and process management. Marketing students can apply for a number of CBE scholarships including the Kimberly Farnen Study Abroad Scholarship and the Walter J. Travis Memorial Golf Scholarship.
11,372 Students
The School of Business and Economics at SUNY Plattsburgh has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing program. This program prepares its students for careers in a variety of fields such as marketing research, marketing management, international marketing, or retail management. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration can choose Marketing as their minor field of study. SUNY Plattsburgh's marketing program is one of the original business programs offered by the School of Business and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
5,718 Students
The Department of Marketing & Logistics in the College of Business at the University of North Texas offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a focus on Professional Selling, and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing (online program available). Students have the opportunity to join the student chapters of the American Marketing Association, Mu Kappa Tau (the marketing honors society), and the ASCEND Pan Asian Leadership Student Chapter. Students who graduate with marketing degrees work in professional sales and sales management, wholesaling, retailing, sales promotion, market research, marketing communications, and sales support.
37,299 Students
The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at CSU Northridge offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The curriculum includes coursework in key marketing areas such as financial management, marketing research, consumer behavior, marketing management, and organizational and management behavior. The college also offers a minor in marketing as well as in interactive marketing for non-business majors enrolled at the university. It is highly recommended that students take advantage of approved internship opportunities that are available with several organizations and businesses in the area. The Master of Business Administration program offered by the college gives students the option of selecting marketing as their area of concentration.
41,548 Students
The College of Business Administration at Niagara University offers a Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree with two areas of concentration - general marketing and food and consumer packaged foods marketing. The curriculum includes coursework that cover a wide range of relevant topics such as consumer behavior, marketing research, international marketing, channels of distribution, and integrated marketing communications. The university maintains partnerships with several businesses in the western New York area that provide a variety of internship opportunities for marketing students. Several scholarships are available for qualified business and/or marketing students, including the Armand & Eleanor Castellani Scholarship, David D. Potter Memorial Scholarship, and the David A. DiChiara Memorial Scholarship. Award amounts for these scholarship programs vary from year to year.
4,128 Students
Students admitted to the undergraduate marketing program at USF's Muma College of Business learn about core marketing principles such as consumer behavior, supply chains, metrics, crafting an integrated marketing campaign, and social media. There is also a Master of Science in Marketing program available. Program pre-requisites may be waived for applicants who already have a baccalaureate degree in marketing from an institution accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) within five years of admission to the program. The university also offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration program with a concentration in marketing. Doctoral students may be considered for graduate assistantships that come with a $20,000 annual salary as well as a health insurance subsidy.
42,067 Students
An associate’s degree in marketing is a 2-year undergraduate program that gives students a broad background in marketing and business concepts. This degree is often offered by community colleges and for-profit schools. Most schools require entrants to have a GED or high school diploma.
Marketing programs are usually housed in a university’s business administration department or the college of business. However, you may find that associate degrees in advertising and/or graphic design are located in your university’s communications or fine arts department. Some schools also offer degrees that are targeted to a specific field – e.g. an AAS in Fashion Marketing.
Career opportunities are fairly limited with an associate’s degree. Generally speaking, you will be eligible for entry-level positions in retail sales, promotion and customer service. Some graduates also get their start as marketing coordinators. You can increase your odds of employment by participating in internships and work-study programs.
A bachelor’s degree in marketing is a 4-year undergraduate program that provides students with a fundamental grounding in the theory and practice of marketing. These degrees are typically offered by a university’s business or communications department. Most entrants have a GED or high school diploma.
You will also find marketing degrees that focus on a particular arena (e.g. hospitality management).
After two years, you may be permitted to major in a concentration such as account management, market research, advertising, media strategy, etc. A strong undergraduate program will also incorporate internships and fieldwork into your course of study.
A general warning – although a bachelor’s degree can provide a solid foundation for a career, it’s not going to be a lot of use when applying for mid-level marketing jobs. Like it or not, most BS and BBA graduates begin their careers in sales. To be eligible for many marketing positions, you may have to endure a few years of selling/account coordination or consider investing in an MBA.
You can avoid some of this grunt-work by preparing the ground before graduation. Find out what employers are looking for and plan accordingly. Internships in sales, extracurricular activities that involve selling and courses that focus on practical skills/technical training may be enough to persuade a hiring committee that you’re ready for a real marketing job.
A master’s degree in marketing is a 1-3 year graduate program that prepares students for advanced management or leadership positions in marketing. Entrants are expected to have a bachelor’s degree.
Because it is a broader degree with more recognized career options, many marketers opt for an MBA with a focus in marketing. You can read more about your options in our guide to affordable MBA programs.
Coursework varies widely from degree to degree. In addition to core courses in advanced marketing, many programs offer specializations in a huge range of areas, including digital marketing, brand management, media planning, international marketing and so forth.
Research requirements are equally variable. Some schools will demand you complete a master’s thesis; some will ask for practicum instead. Internships and work-study opportunities are common.
A good master’s degree from a well-known school can set you up for all kinds of job opportunities, including high-level management. But be cautious before investing. In the past few years, there has a been a glut of graduates with poor quality MBAs. Some experts are arguing that marketers would do better to spend their time (and money) building on their existing experience.
If you’re interested in graduate school, weigh up the pros and cons carefully:
When in doubt, consult your existing employer and professional colleagues for advice.
A doctorate in marketing is an advanced graduate degree that takes 4-7 years to complete. Since it is intended for aspiring professors and analysts, is heavily focused on research.
Doctoral students are expected to complete advanced graduate courses (e.g. econometrics, behavioral research, multivariate statistics, etc.) and a dissertation based on an original piece of research. As preparation for their future careers, PhD students often teach undergraduates.
A PhD in marketing is intended for students who wish to become academics and teach a college/university level. Graduates also take up research careers in nonprofit businesses, government agencies and the private sector.
A certificate in marketing is a non-degree program that focuses on specific skill-sets (e.g. professional sales, digital marketing, etc.). It usually takes less than a year to complete. Thanks to demand, online certificate offerings continue to grow in popularity.
Certificates may not be enough to earn you an initial job, but they will add an extra burnish to your résumé. Look for programs that school you in relevant, up-to-date skills.
Above all, we recommend that your college or university has regional accreditation. This is a “seal of approval” granted to institutions (e.g. non-profit and public colleges and universities) by one of six regional accrediting bodies (e.g. North Central Association of Colleges and Schools).
You can learn more about the difference between regional accreditation and national accreditation in Accreditation: Understanding the Difference Between Real Schools and Diploma Mills.
Attending a regionally accredited school will make it easier for you to:
Regional accreditation only applies to a college or university. For a BBA or MBA, you may wish to see if the business school has accreditation from AACSB, ACBSP or IACBE. We take a closer look at these in our article on affordable MBA programs.
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