A Guide to Online Marketing Degrees Accredited Online Degree Programs in Marketing

Ready to start your journey?

Marketing icon

Interested in earning a marketing degree online? When considering careers, one of the most popular areas of interest today is marketing. As technology and social media continue to dominate the global economy, one of the most prevalent areas that will never lose traction is marketing. Considering how people consume products and information, marketing is one area that will never become obsolete.

What’s So Intriguing About a Degree in Marketing?

Many people wonder how companies get so much data and information on them to have effective campaigns. From text messaging to relevant ads popping up, all of these are dealing with marketing and consumer science. Marketing is an essential part of the economy, helping it thrive across industries. People with marketing degrees don’t just work for agencies, they work in every industry including retail, science, transportation and logistics, and others. Every company must have a marketing department to engage and get the information needed to make effective decisions.

Almost every touchpoint of a customer journey deals with marketing. Social media? That’s marketing. Data analytics? Marketing again. When a CEO or CFO makes a speech, most of the time it was written by a copywriter in the marketing department. Brochures, advertisements, and surveys all fall under marketing and are an integral part of the day-to-day operations of an organization. The C-suite has a vice-president of marketing sitting at the table helping develop the objectives and goals, driving decision-making within the organization.

Quick Facts: Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers
2019 Median Pay$135,900 per year
$65.34 per hour
Typical Entry-Level EducationBachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related OccupationSee How to Become One
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2019314,900
Job Outlook, 2019-296% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2019-2918,800
Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2019-29 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Most Popular Schools with Online Marketing Degree Programs

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

StateEmployment Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wage
California40,900$81.34$169,200
Illinois21,980$64.08$133,280
New York21,550$89.59$186,350
Massachusetts16,720$69.23$144,000
Texas16,290$71.84$149,420
Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2019-29 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

Most Affordable Online Marketing Degree Programs

Is a Marketing Degree Worth It?

Many people wonder if a marketing degree is worth it, and for most people who consider this area, the answer would be yes. When considering is a degree in marketing worth it, consider the following:

  • You can break into the marketing industry without a lot of experience
  • You can learn new skills that are critical now and will be in the future
  • You want to be (or already are) an entrepreneur
  • You can use a marketing degree to elevate or get promoted in your organization
  • You can easily transition into the field
  • Marketing can be fun

Although these reasons may outline why a degree in marketing is worth it, many people still wonder, “Why get a degree in marketing?” One of the most important things to remember is that marketing is multi-faceted, which allows someone wondering why get a marketing degree to branch out into areas they may not have considered, such as digital, data analysis, research, SEO, or customer relationship management.  

What Can You Do with a Marketing Degree?

The best way to determine what can be done with a marketing degree is by understanding the different elements involved in this area. People with marketing degrees study commerce, business, theory, strategies, and methods. There are many jobs with degrees in marketing criteria, such as business math; digital marketing; integrated marketing communications; analytics; plan development; public relations; and advertising and promotions development.

Jobs with a marketing degree are varied and plentiful on all fronts, so it helps to have at least an associate’s degree to understand what is required in this field. Jobs with a degree in marketing vary, but the job outlook is projected to continuously grow, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Knowing the outlook is bright, what jobs can a marketing degree get you? If you’re really wondering what jobs can you get with a degree in marketing, you don’t have to look far because marketing has its hand in almost everything.

Consider the following:

  • Admissions representative
  • Brand/Product Manager
  • Event/Meeting Planner
  • Fundraiser
  • Marketing Assistant
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Media Planner
  • Public Relations Representative
  • Sales Representative
  • Social Media Manager
  • Marketing Manager

These are just a few options when thinking about what jobs a marketing degree can get you, and there are different degree types that can help you move up the ladder of success.

Online Associate’s Degrees

An associate’s degree is the first step in solidifying a future in marketing. There are a few options, such as an online associate’s degree in marketing. Getting an associate’s degree in marketing online can be advantageous because you can complete the degree from anywhere in the world. Just like an in-person program, an associate’s degree in marketing online takes approximately two years to complete unless the program is part-time.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees

Getting an online bachelor’s degree in marketing isn’t as difficult as some may think. There are a number of programs offering a marketing bachelor’s degree online, as online education offers flexibility and an ability to structure the degree to fit specific interests. An online marketing bachelor’s degree is just as competitive as someone having one obtained in-person.

 Study with a bachelor’s degree in marketing program teaches fundamentals and more. Students will learn how to use data in determining how to properly position a product in the market; how to recommend strategies for internal and external marketing; how to properly develop marketing plans, taking into account the missions, objectives, and goals of an organization; how to write effective communications; how to apply legal and ethical principles to marketing goals; and how to collaborate across environments to ensure the creation, capture, and delivery of value.

Online Master’s Degrees

A master’s degree in marketing takes education to another level, adding additional concepts and learning to the mix. An online master’s degree in marketing helps mid-level professionals continue their education, positioning themselves to move up to the C-suite. Online master’s degrees are useful in that the program usually only takes about two years to complete. A master’s degree in marketing online can help someone quickly move up in the ranks, applying the knowledge they have learned to benefit the organization. Marketing master’s degree online programs are plentiful across the United States.

Some online marketing degree programs only take one year depending on the credits the student already has. They may be able to apply to the current program which cuts the time down from two years to one. Requirements to get into an online master’s degree in marketing program usually require a bachelor’s degree and may require GMAT or GRE results. Many schools require a minimum score for the students to qualify.

Online Doctoral Degrees

An online DBA marketing or Doctor of Business Administration has a concentration in marketing. This program positions the students as a top-level business associate in the field of digital marketing and promotions. Taking things a step further, individuals with the dba marketing online offers leadership, enhanced communication and the business skills needed to successfully compete in the global market. Students who pursue the dba in marketing enhance their marketability and earning potential. Someone with a dba in marketing can elevate salary potential to about 25% more than someone who only has a master’s degree according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a terminal degree, this is somewhat like a Ph.D., where the individual will be referred to as a “doctor.”

Individuals in the online dba marketing program go through rigorous courses such as strategic marketing management; marketing promotions; supply chain management and marketing research. In order to be considered for the program, applicants must have a regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree in business or a business-related field with at least 30 hours of graduate business credit. Individuals are also usually required to have a 3.0 or above GPA, with proof of English proficiency and official college transcripts.

Accreditation for Marketing and Business

In all four options, one of the most important things to consider is whether the program and school is accredited. This makes a huge difference in the way employers view those qualifications and degree status. Colleges and universities receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This impacts whether credits can be successfully transferred and if the student is able to receive financial aid.

Business program accreditation is very important and ensures the institution operates under the highest quality standards. Accredited business programs are recognized by national or regional accrediting bodies, and are reviewed on a regular basis to make sure they are developing and growing according to industry standards. Some of these agencies include the AACSB, or Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; ACBSP, which is the Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs; CHEA, which is the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, and DEAC, which is the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

All instructors and institutions should have valid certifications and licensure protocols in place to ensure students are receiving the best education possible. 

Is there a Certificate for Marketing?

There are times when individuals don’t feel as if they need an entire degree in marketing because they have one in another field. When this occurs, they frequently go after a certificate in marketing or enter a program to obtain marketing certification which can help them boost their marketability. Many companies allow their employees to pursue marketing certificates, such as Google, Facebook, HubSpot, Coca Cola, Twitter, and IBM.

The Digital Marketing Institute offers an online certification in marketing course which partners with the American Marketing Association. Many colleges and universities also offer certifications for marketers to help give them leverage in their careers. One of the great things about an online marketing certificate is that the information is self-paced and students can learn and grow. Programs that offer an online digital marketing certificate may also offer the Digital Marketing Certification (DMI), as well as the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) backed by the American Marketing Association. Both of these are internationally recognized around the world.

Scholarships for Marketing Students

Pursuing higher education can get expensive. There are a number of scholarships for marketing available that can offset some of those costs. Scholarships in marketing can be very competitive, especially with the marketplace embracing students in this career path. Some of the marketing scholarships available include marketing major scholarships pursuing a bachelor’s degree; scholarships for marketing majors pursuing a master’s or MBA; scholarship for students pursuing either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing; scholarships for students who are women, minorities, or people with disabilities; and general scholarship that can be relevant to students pursuing degrees in marketing.

These types of scholarships in marketing differ. Some scholarships for students pursuing a bachelor’s in marketing include:

  • Marketing EDGE Scholarship
  • Worldwide Student Scholarship
  • Thomas G. Labreque Smart Start Scholarship

Scholarships for students pursuing an MBA or master’s in marketing include:

  • Mary Elizabeth Lockwood Beneventl MBA Scholarship
  • GMAT Tutor Brighest Minds MBA Scholarship
  • Tutor the People Pre-MBA Scholarship

Scholarships that would apply to students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing include:

  • Reading-Berks Association of Realtors Scholarship Fund
  • AfterCollege Business Student Scholarship
  • AfterCollege Sales & Marketing Student Scholarship

Women, Minority, and People with Disabilities pursuing a degree in marketing scholarships include:

  • Louis F. Cox Memorial – AK Steel African American Scholarship
  • Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance Scholarship
  • CREW Network Foundation Scholarship

General or relevant scholarships in marketing include:

  • Parlin Law Scholarship
  • Government Finance and Professional Development Scholarship
  • BBB Northwest Students of Integrity Scholarship

Pursuing a degree in marketing has benefits that can be applied to any industry on every level. This is a versatile degree that benefits the individual and organization. A marketing degree is also one that can be paired with another concentration to enhance the level of professionalism and knowledge in other areas. Considering a degree in marketing is not only relevant but beneficial on a global scale. Individuals interested in this career path or considering having an educational background in marketing is more well-rounded and can infuse applicable skills into their current profession.

As one of the most essential parts of an organization, having a marketing degree in the arsenal isn’t a bad idea. From helping make the right decisions, to charting new paths of growth for the company, people with marketing degrees are making a huge difference every day. Getting an online degree in marketing is not only useful but allows the individual to continue their careers while working on improving themselves and their organizations. For business owners, a marketing degree can help in making the right decisions, contacting the right people, and making moves that can position them for longevity and growth. Marketing is a lucrative profession that is here to stay.  

Related Rankings:

Best Online Digital Marketing Certificates
Best Online Digital Marketing Bachelor’s Degrees
Best Online Digital Marketing Master’s
Best Online MBA for Market Research Analysts
Best No-GMAT Online MBA Programs
Best Online MBA Programs for Non-Business Majors
Best Online Undergraduate Business Programs
Best Online MBA Programs
Most Affordable Online MBA
Best Value Online MBA Programs
Fastest Online MBA Programs
Best Online DBA Programs
Best 1-Year Online MBA Programs

Ready to start your journey?

Ready to start your journey?