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WHAT IS AN ONLINE MARKETING DEGREE?

Earning an online marketing degree can equip you with the essential skills needed to succeed in the dynamic world of business. A program of this nature offers a blend of creative, analytical, and technical skills that will enable you to generate and execute effective marketing strategies. With a focus on marketing, you may explore topics such as sales, branding, and market research, or delve into core business knowledge and management principles. Some programs offer immersive experiences where you can specialize in areas such as digital marketing or sports marketing. Today, with the widespread use of social media and mobile devices, a tech-savvy approach is essential to stay ahead of the competition. This makes it a perfect time to consider pursuing a degree in this field. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of digital marketing, you can explore programs that focus on this area.

TYPES OF ONLINE MARKETING DEGREE PROGRAMS

B.A. in Marketing

In this B.A. program, you will cover basic knowledge and skills for developing, promoting, distributing, and selling.

Course Examples:

M.B.A. in Marketing

Learn advanced business concepts. You will focus on marketing management and marketing research.

Course Examples:

Ph.D. in Marketing

Here, you will gain mastery of strategic communication. You will cover complex marketing research methods, and ethical marketing management.

Course Examples:

ONLINE MARKETING DEGREE PROGRAMS

If you are curious about the coursework in an online marketing degree program, you can expect to learn about the fundamental concepts of promoting and selling. Most programs cover topics such as consumer behavior, marketing research, and strategic marketing. These courses aim to provide a solid foundation for understanding how to engage with consumers and effectively communicate brand value.

To successfully bring a product or service to the market, it is crucial to have a deep understanding of consumer behavior. By taking a course in buyer behavior, you can learn how to identify your target audience and evaluate different market segments. You will also gain skills in forecasting demand, which can inform your overall marketing strategy. In addition, your coursework may cover various factors that influence consumer activity, including online shopping habits, customer feedback, and economic trends. Armed with this knowledge, you will be well-prepared to develop and implement effective branding strategies.

Market research tools and data analysis are essential for success in the marketing profession. In your online marketing degree program, you will learn to utilize tools like conducting focus groups and surveys to gather data. With this data, you will be able to create effective sales pitches and marketing strategies. Additionally, you will work closely with classmates to create mock advertising campaigns that will help you develop skills in sales databases and web-based media. These exercises will give you the experience and knowledge you need to excel in the industry.

In addition to traditional marketing methods, your online marketing degree program will cover current theories and trends used in modern campaigns. You will learn about both classic mediums like TV, radio, and print as well as digital platforms. Specifically, you will study how to drive traffic to a website and other online marketing techniques.

Online marketing programs typically require students to complete coursework before moving on to an internship or final project. As an online student, you can often arrange for internships at nearby locations.

WHAT DO MARKETING DEGREE COURSES LOOK LIKE?

If you’re curious about the courses you’ll take in a general marketing degree program, check out this sample course plan. You’ll notice that there are several areas of focus where you can delve into a specific industry niche.

Some common courses include:

Intro to Marketing: In the course Intro to Marketing, you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of selling products or ideas to consumers. You will learn effective strategies for identifying customer needs and preferences, and how to reach and sell to them.

Strategic Marketing: In Strategic Marketing, you will learn how to develop a comprehensive marketing plan that will attract and retain customers, and establish a strong brand identity for your product or service. The course will focus on effective techniques to create customer loyalty and increase brand awareness.

Sports Marketing: Sports marketing programs focus on the marketing of sports events, teams, players, and products. You will explore topics such as fan culture, sports audiences, and market research to identify promising opportunities. Through these courses, you will learn to effectively promote sports products and events to engage fans and build a loyal following.

Marketing Analytics: In online marketing analytics degree programs, students concentrate on statistical techniques. They study how to use statistical analyses to resolve managerial issues. Additional subjects cover differentiation, positioning, segmentation, and brand loyalty.

Consumer Behavior: What makes someone decide to buy something? In this course, you may study the many reasons for people’s decisions to buy or not buy.

Product and Brand Management: There are ways to convince someone to buy a product or like a certain brand. You may learn how marketing gets people excited enough to buy.

Marketing Research: You may learn ways to use research to find out what customers buy. This course could include how to collect information and write reports about how to sell.

Digital Marketing: Online degree programs in digital marketing focus on the ever-evolving landscape of the internet marketplace. The curriculum is usually designed to be practical, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with various digital marketing techniques such as email marketing, social media marketing, mobile marketing, video marketing, and display advertising. In addition, students may also learn about web analytics and search engine optimization (SEO).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO EARN AN ONLINE DEGREE IN MARKETING?

The time required to complete an online marketing degree program varies depending on several factors. The level of the program and whether you choose full-time or part-time enrollment are among the most significant factors. As a general rule,

 

  • B.A. degree in Marketing: 4 years full time
  • M.A. degree in Marketing: 2 years full time
  • Ph.D. degree in Marketing: 3 to 6 years full time
 

Accelerated formats are available for some programs, which may be a good fit for experienced marketing professionals.

THE AVERAGE COST OF AN ONLINE MARKETING DEGREE PROGRAM

The cost of an online marketing degree program can vary depending on various factors. In addition to tuition, students may also need to pay a technology fee. Tuition prices may also differ based on their state of residence. According to recent reports, the median in-state public tuition for marketing degrees is $6,946, while the median out-of-state private tuition is $30,150.

TOP SCHOOLS FOR EARNING A MARKETING DEGREE

As per DataUSA, you will find 47,256 people earned degrees in marketing. The table below shows you the schools that issued the most marketing degrees. Next to that, you will see the out of state tuition.

 

School 2017 Degrees Awarded 2019/20 Tuition (Out Of State Unless *)
Florida State University 550 $18,786
The University Of Alabama 469 $30,250
Florida International University 461 $18,963
University Of Phoenix Arizona 434 $9,552*
University Of South Carolina Columbia 433 $33,928
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus 428 $26,994
Ohio State University Main Campus 421 $32,061

Estimated for full time, beginning undergrad students

BECOMING A CERTIFIED MARKETING PROFESSIONAL

Obtaining a certification can be crucial for your marketing career. While it is not mandatory, a certification can demonstrate your professional expertise and enhance your credibility to potential employers. Having a certification can set you apart from other candidates and give you an advantage in your career. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you consider pursuing a certification after earning your online marketing degree.
Joining a marketing organization can come with its own set of benefits. These perks can range from gaining access to webinars to being invited to networking events and other industry-related gatherings. Participating in these activities can help demonstrate your expertise to your peers and clients, as well as allow you to stay informed on new trends and ideas in the field. Pursuing a certification that aligns with your career goals can also be a valuable way to demonstrate your professional competence and stand out to potential employers. As the field of marketing is constantly evolving, it’s important to remain open to new ideas and opportunities for growth.


Market Research Analysts can obtain the Professional Researcher Certification (PRC) offered by the Marketing Research Association. To qualify for the PRC exam, you need to complete 12 hours of industry-related education. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your certification. To maintain your certification, you will need to complete 20 credit hours of continuing education every two years, which can be tracked through the PRC tracking system.

Where else can you be certified?


The American Marketing Association offers certification programs as well, including the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) credential in various tracks such as digital marketing, marketing management, and sales management. Obtaining a PCM certificate in any track requires passing a certification exam. Once you have earned the certificate, you must maintain it by earning 30 continuing education units (CEUs) every three years.
For those looking to showcase their leadership skills, the International Institute of Marketing Professionals (IIMP) provides various certification options. The Certified Marketing Management Professional (CMMP) program includes four levels – Associate, Manager, Executive, and Chartered CMMP – each with different eligibility and entry requirements. However, a coursework roadmap is provided based on your education and experience level. Obtaining a CMMP certification from IIMP can distinguish you as a competent marketing professional and leader.

TOP MARKETING DEGREES

If you’re curious about the most popular types of degrees in the field of business marketing, the majority of the working population holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree (75.2%), followed by a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree (20.9%), and a professional degree (2.99%).


Recent estimates indicate that the workforce in business marketing consists of approximately 11.2 million individuals and is growing at a rate of 3.01%. The average age of employees in this field is slightly above 43.7 years old, and the majority are female.

TOP SALARIES BY STATE FOR MARKETING DEGREE HOLDERS

Below, you will find a table showing the states with the highest employment of marketing managers. You will also see the annual mean wage.

 

State Employment Annual Mean Wage
New York 17,590 $187,860
New Jersey 11,380 $177,330
Virginia 4,980 $171,870
Colorado 3,840 $169,630
California 37,410 $167,910

WHAT JOBS CAN YOU GET WITH A MARKETING DEGREE?

If your career goal is to become a marketing research analyst or marketing manager, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing can be a good starting point. Here are some popular career paths you can consider after earning a marketing degree, along with salary comparisons and job outlooks. Keep in mind that the marketing industry is continuously evolving, and technology can provide you with opportunities to pave your own path or pursue one of the following career options.

MARKETING MANAGERS

As a marketing manager, you play a crucial role in leading the organization’s marketing efforts. You will be responsible for identifying potential markets for the company’s products or services, developing marketing strategies and campaigns, and overseeing their execution. This top-level administrative position also involves determining pricing strategies based on industry trends. You will collaborate with various teams such as sales, public relations, product development, and design to achieve marketing goals.

According to 2020 BLS data:

Median Salary: $73,300 per year

Job growth through 2029: 7% (Much faster than average)

Entry level education: Bachelor’s Degree

MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST

As a market research analyst, your role is to forecast future market trends. You will use tools such as statistics to study both local and global market conditions. With this information, you will assess the potential sales of products and services. Your insights will help companies make informed decisions on what products to offer, who their target audience is, and at what price point they should sell.

According to 2020 BLS data:

Median Salary: $47,480 per year

Job growth through 2029: 9% (Faster than average)

Entry level education: Post secondary non degree award

MARKETING RESEARCH ANALYSTS AND MARKETING

As a search marketing strategist, you are a skilled tactician. In this role, you will employ various techniques to enhance website visibility and analyze content engagement. You will also be responsible for ensuring that marketing strategies are effective on internet-enabled devices. With your analytical mindset, you will have a thorough understanding of search engines, enabling you to measure results and understand user intent. Both of these are essential to achieving success in achieving business objectives.

According to 2020 BLS data:

Median Salary: $115,800 per year

Job growth through 2029: 45% (Much faster than average)

Entry level education: Master’s Degree