Online Marketing Degrees

One of the various online marketing degrees available may be a good fit for you if you love a high-energy, fast-paced, challenging work environment and have great leadership skills and an eye for detail.

Then online marketing degrees are a great start for those looking to start building a lucrative and exciting career. This degree gives you the opportunity to apply your creative talents to the competitive business world while having plenty of opportunities to work your way up the ladder to high-level company positions.

With advancements in technology and a changing student body, many top universities are offering online degree programs in marketing. In the constantly evolving marketing world, having a bachelor’s degree can make a difference when applying for competitive jobs within the workforce.

Online Marketing Degrees

Now more than ever, businesses are looking for skilled professionals that can help them identify ways to market and develop profitable new products. Throughout the course of your online bachelor’s in marketing degree program, you will cover a variety of relevant topics that include:

• Applying marketing knowledge to meet organizational goals
• Strategic marketing skills
• Conducting research and analyzing data to create effective marketing plans
• Business communication
• Interpersonal Relationships and leadership

In some instances, you may also be able to add a minor to enhance your online Marketing degree. These minors may include business law or administration, communications, or finance. While it’s common for schools to offer general BS in Marketing degrees online, you might have the opportunity to pursue a more specialized degree.

If you’re interested in a particular type of marketing, you could consider one of these college majors:

• Online Advertising Degrees
• Online Brand Management Degrees
• Online Digital Marketing Degrees
• Online Marketing Management Degrees
• Online Marketing Research and Analytics Degrees
• Online Social Media Marketing Degrees

You can explore these programs to see which ones best match your interests and goals.

Advertising

Professionals in the advertising industry help customers learn about products and services. They use media to increase sales.

In an advertising degree program, you will study communications and branding. You’ll learn to put together well-designed advertisement layouts and write compelling ad copy.

Building relationships with clients and managing accounts might be part of your studies as well. Hands-on projects will probably be a key component of your curriculum. You may study real-world products or services and design ad campaigns for them.

With an advertising degree, you could work in ad sales, graphic design, copywriting, market research or social media management.

Brand Management

With a career in brand management, you’d work to make your clients familiar to consumers. You would build a cohesive brand image for your company’s marketing media.

Lessons in storytelling and communications are key for this degree program. You might also learn about project management and consumer behavior. Studying market research techniques would allow you to gather valuable data to inform your branding decisions.

This degree could help you launch a career as a public relations specialist or a marketing assistant. As you gain experience, you might be able to advance into a brand management role.

Digital Marketing

In today’s world, a lot of marketing and advertising occurs digitally. Marketers use email campaigns, text messages, online ads, and social media to put out their messages.

To get a degree in digital marketing, you’ll study many of the same concepts as other marketing students. Examples include communication, consumer behavior, and marketing research. You will also have courses that focus on digital skills. For example, the classes might teach you to conduct online analytics and focus on SEO optimization. Digital marketers may work as social media managers or content managers for websites.

Marketing Management

For those who have their sights set on becoming leaders in the world of marketing, a degree in marketing management might be the way to go. To prepare you for management jobs, this degree program usually has a heavy emphasis on business principles.

The topics might include finance, accounting, management information systems, and business law. You’ll explore management principles, learn to lead groups through transitions and practice clear communication. Of course, you will also take standard marketing courses, such as classes in marketing law and sales.

With this degree, your goal might be to work as a manager in marketing, advertising, public relations or promotions.

Marketing Research and Analytics

Data can tell marketing professionals a lot about consumers and their spending habits. Analyzing that data helps companies make marketing decisions.

In this program, you’ll want to learn about the science of consumer behavior. You will also study the process of developing new products. That will help you understand the importance of your marketing research. To make you an effective market researcher, you will learn to use analytic tools, especially those involving web analytics.

Many people who earn this degree launch careers as market research analysts. The studies could also be relevant to jobs that involve operations analytics, survey research, or sales.

Social Media Marketing

People often spend a lot of time scrolling social media, so it can be a great place to build brand loyalty and advertise products.

A social media marketing program will teach you to create videos, graphics, and other content for online marketing. You will also learn about analytic tools that can help you determine whether your campaigns are effective. By graduation, you should be able to put together an entire social media marketing campaign.

Many graduates become social media managers. Also, this degree could be useful for a job as a content producer, a digital strategist, or a brand manager.

Marketing Careers and Salaries

Marketing offers various career paths that graduate from programs offering degrees online can pursue to get a jumpstart in the corporate world.

To give you an idea of what you can expect after graduating from an accredited online marketing degree program, we have put together a short list of top career options and their average annual salaries according to data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Skilled marketing professionals are expected to continue being essential components within the world of business as companies work to expand their market share in an ever-evolving economy.

The BLS projects that the job outlook for advertising and promotions managers will grow 10% over the next 10 years, which is faster than the national average across all occupations. With the right education, skillset, and experience, marketing can be a very lucrative field for business professionals.

Check out our list of the Top 40 Marketing careers to compare jobs and salaries in this field.

Bachelor of Science in Marketing Curriculum & Courses

Bachelor of Marketing online degrees include both general education and marketing-specific courses. Altogether, you’ll complete about 120 college credit hours. Your marketing curriculum might include classes such as the ones listed below.

• Advertising: This class may cover the principles of ad campaigns and introduce you to various advertising channels, including print, television, and digital media.
• Brand Management: You can learn to develop a cohesive brand image and protect a brand’s reputation among consumers.
• Consumer Behavior: You’ll examine research on customers’ decision-making and buying processes.
• Copywriting and Content Creation: There might be a class that teaches you to write engaging copy that draws in consumers.
• Introduction to Marketing: Near the beginning of your program, you may have an introductory class in which you’ll learn about the basic terms and ideas used in this field.
• Management for Marketers: To prepare for advancement within your field, you may learn about leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics.
• Marketing Plan: You might have a course in which you spend the term developing a comprehensive marketing plan based on the principles you’ve learned throughout your program.
• Marketing Surveys and Research: This class will teach you to collect marketing data, interpret it, and incorporate the findings into your marketing plans.
• Online and Digital Marketing: You will explore ways to build brand awareness and advertise to consumers through social media, search engines, and other digital channels.
• Sales: Marketing and sales are closely linked, so you’ll study the principles of effective professional selling.

In addition to marketing classes, you may have several general business courses.

Is an Online Degree in Marketing Right for Me?

If you are considering a degree in Marketing, you are likely trying to decide if online schooling is the right choice for you.

There are many reasons why students choose to earn a degree online, from schedule conflicts with their current job to family obligations that prevent them from attending on-campus classes. There are several advantages to earning your Marketing degree online, including:

• Chances to connect with a diverse group of students and instructors in the virtual setting
• Opportunities to accelerate your Marketing program to enter into the workforce more quickly
• Access to online resources and advanced technology to learn essential skills for the business environment.
• Flexible scheduling that allows you to complete courses in a timeframe that fits into your busy life

Now more than ever, students are looking to online degree programs as a viable alternative to traditional on-campus classes.

How to Choose a Marketing Bachelor Degree Online Program

If you are looking into online programs to earn your Marketing degree, there are several things you should take into consideration before committing to a school.

• Accreditation: Accreditation is an essential aspect of a reputable online marketing degree program. Check to see if your chosen school is accredited.
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Learning the skills that you need to pursue a professional career in marketing is best supported by taking courses that have a low student-to-faculty ratio for online classes.
• Academic Advising and Student Services: As most online marketing degree pogroms are based out of traditional universities, there will often be additional student support services offered to online students.
• Cost: The cost of each program is also an important factor. Compare various programs to see which one fits your budget.
• Degrees Offered: Be sure to check with each school you are considering to ensure they offer your chosen degree program. Also, compare the various programs’ coursework to ensure the coursework fits with your desired career goals.

Not all degree programs are created equally, and by doing your research beforehand, you can avoid getting caught in the trap of enrolling in a “degree mill” school that is not reputable in the professional world.

Admissions Requirements

As you get ready to apply to an online marketing bachelor’s degree program, you’ll need to gather some materials. Common admissions requirements are listed below.

• Application form, which may include your name, identifying information, and intended program
• Interview with a member of the admissions staff
• Test scores (not required by all online colleges)
• Transcripts from high school and all colleges you’ve attended

Other schools may ask for a more comprehensive application packet, which might need to include personal references and a writing sample.

Online Marketing Degrees Accreditation

Most online degree programs in marketing are offered as an alternative option to established brick-and-mortar colleges or universities. Due to this, many of these schools are already accredited and offer a quality curriculum that can be trusted to teach you the skills that you need to succeed in a career.

There are many specialized accrediting agencies that you may come across when researching prospective schools, including the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). For more information on the recognized accrediting agencies within the United States, you can check out the U.S. Department of Education’s website to see details on a complete list of regional and national agencies.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

College can be expensive, so most students are interested in exploring their options for financial aid. The more assistance you receive, the more affordable a marketing degree could become.

Early in your college search process, it’s a good idea to turn in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This government form might help you secure federal grants or loans. Your state might also use the data to determine whether you qualify for state aid.

Not all student assistance comes from government programs. Colleges give scholarships directly to some of their enrolled students. In addition, many other organizations administer scholarship programs for aspiring students. You can look for scholarship opportunities in your community or apply to national programs.

Some employers also offer tuition support as a workplace benefit. Your human resources department might have more information on whether that’s an option for you.

Marketing Professional Organizations

To become the best marketing professional you can be, consider joining industry organizations. Connecting with industry resources and like-minded marketers could sharpen your skills and help you develop new ideas.

• American Marketing Association (AMA)
• Association of National Advertisers (ANA)
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

Professional organizations often offer a host of benefits to their members. Depending on your organization and the level at which you join, you might have access to journals, online databases, and industry training sessions. Many groups host conferences, and members may benefit from professional discounts too.

What is a Marketing Major?

A marketing major is a college degree program at the undergraduate level. Marketing students learn about consumers and how companies can connect with them. Their work encompasses areas like market research, advertising, branding, and promotions.

Marketing is closely related to two additional fields: communications and business. In addition to marketing-specific courses, students usually take classes in those two areas. Marketing students are often able to specialize. Digital marketing is one popular specialty.

Students who graduate from marketing schools online may go on to become market research analysts, marketing specialists, social media managers, brand managers, advertising account coordinators, or PR specialists.

Is Marketing a Good Major?

Yes, marketing is a good major for many undergraduate students. Marketing is a service on which many different companies and organizations rely. This degree program could equip you with skills for working in large companies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, or other settings that align with your interests and ambitions.

There’s room for advancement within marketing. While many professionals come in at the ground level in assistant roles, time and dedication could lead to promotions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for marketing managers is $135,030, and some earn over $208,000 annually.

What Can I Do With a Marketing Degree?

Some people who graduate with a marketing degree become market research analysts. Others start as marketing specialists.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that most people in such roles earn between $37,570 and $128,320 annually. Other jobs that are related to a marketing degree include brand management specialist, copywriter, and public relations specialist. Some graduates pursue careers in advertising, and others go into sales.

There are many management positions in marketing and similar fields. Managers may oversee pricing decisions, coordinate marketing staff and stay apprised of market trends.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Bachelor in Marketing Degree Online?

If your online marketing program follows a traditional two-semesters-per-year schedule, you will probably finish your program in about four years. You may get the summers off each year.

For those who’d rather get through school more quickly, some online colleges offer year-round marketing studies. In addition to holding courses throughout the year, those schools often organize their classes into eight-week terms. Students may be able to finish in three to 3.5 years, and sometimes even more quickly!

What Jobs Can You Get With a Marketing Degree?

One common option for marketing graduates is to work as market research analysts. That job involves collecting data about consumers and market trends. The information is used for making decisions about marketing strategies and evaluating the effectiveness of ad campaigns.

Another option might be to work as a public relations specialist of some sort. Social media managers and brand managers are often thought of as PR professionals. A marketing degree could also be useful for launching a career in sales. Wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers all rely on effective sales representatives and managers.

How Much Do Marketing Majors Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it’s common for market research analysts to earn between $37,570 and $128,320 annually. Public relations specialists commonly have salaries between $37,020 and $124,620.

For most advertising and promotions managers, salaries start around $61,250. The salary range for marketing managers starts at around $77,680. Toward the upper end of the scale, managers in any of these areas can make over $208,000 annually. Salaries can vary widely. Your income may depend on factors such as your education level, your experience, and your geographic region.

What’s the Difference Between an Online Bachelor’s in Marketing vs. Advertising?

Marketing and advertising are closely related, but you should think carefully about which major you’d prefer.

If you can’t decide between these fields, look for a college with a combined advertising and marketing degree program.

What’s the Difference Between a Bachelors in Marketing vs. Communications?

Marketing is a communications discipline, but marketing and communications are two distinct majors.

When a college degree includes both marketing and communications courses, it’s sometimes referred to as a MarCom program.

Is a Bachelor Degree in Marketing Online Worth it?

Yes, a bachelor degree in marketing online is worth it for many students. Many organizations value marketing, so companies are looking for marketing graduates to hire.

Market research analysts are particularly in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for analysts will increase by 19% over the next 10 years. Positions for marketing managers should increase too. A 10% growth rate is estimated for those roles. For advertising and promotions managers, the expected growth rate is 7%.

Universities Offering Online Bachelor in Marketing Degree Programs

Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.

Abilene Christian University offers a BS in Marketing. The fully online program offers the choice between two concentrations: General Marketing or Analytics. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours. Courses are taken in an accelerated format, and there are several start dates offered throughout the year.

Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

A BA in Marketing can be earned fully online through American Public University. The program requires the completion of 120 credits and allows up to 90 qualifying transfer credits. It offers a variety of concentrations, including Digital Marketing and Analytics. Courses may be 8 or 16 weeks long, and there are eight start dates offered throughout the year.

APUS is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Arizona State University offers a BS in Marketing that can be earned fully online. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours. Courses are 7.5 weeks long, and there are six start dates offered throughout the year. Most courses are conducted in an asynchronous learning format. Potential courses include Consumer Behavior, Competitive Marketing Strategy, and Marketing Research.

Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Bellevue University offers a BS in Marketing that can be earned fully online. The program requires the completion of 127 credits and allows up to 60 qualifying transfer credits. Courses are 8 weeks long, with multiple start dates each year. Students typically take one class at a time and may be able to graduate in just 2.5 years.

Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

California Baptist University offers a BA in Marketing. The program is entirely online, with some hybrid options available. The degree requires the completion of 48 units in the major. The program can typically be completed in 16 months. Courses are conducted in an accelerated format, and there are start dates offered every 8 weeks.

California Baptist University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Colorado State University’s Global Learning program among the best in the country for online bachelor’s degrees. CSU offers a Bachelor’s in Marketing that can be earned online. The program requires the completion of 120 credits. Courses are asynchronous, and each one is 8 weeks long. There are 12 start dates offered each year.

Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Franklin University offers a BS in Marketing that can be earned fully online. The program requires the completion of 124 credit hours and allows up to 76% of them to be earned from qualifying transfer credits. Courses are 12 weeks long, and there are a few start dates offered each semester. The curriculum teaches a blend of traditional and digital marketing skills and theories.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Grand Canyon University offers a BS in Marketing and Advertising that can be earned fully online or on campus. The program requires the completion of 120 credits and allows up to 90 qualifying transfer credits. Online courses are 7 to 8 weeks long, while on-campus courses are 15 weeks long. Potential courses include Marketing Research and Reporting, Essentials of Economics, and Marketing Management.

GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Indiana State University offers a BS in Marketing that is fully online and has an optional Marketing Management concentration. The program requires the completion of 120 credits and may be attended full-time or part-time. Classes may be 8 or 16 weeks long.

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Indiana Wesleyan University offers a BS in Marketing that can be earned entirely online. There are two specializations to choose from: Digital Media Business Strategies or Marketing Analytics. The program requires the completion of 120 credits, including 48 credits in the major. Courses for the major are 5 to 8 weeks long and taken one course at a time.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Best Universities ranked Louisiana State University as one of the most affordable colleges for online degrees. LSU offers a BS in Marketing with optional concentrations in Digital Marketing or International Business that may be completed entirely online.

The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours of courses that are completed in an accelerated format. Prior Learning Assessments are available to earn credit for prior knowledge and experiences.

Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Lynn University offers a Bachelor’s in Marketing that can be earned entirely online. Lynn is an Apple Distinguished School, and students that graduate from this program also earn a Google Analytics certificate.

Courses follow a semester schedule, and there are start dates offered in the fall, spring, and summer. Potential courses in the curriculum include Global Marketing, Technology’s Impact on Consumer Behavior, and Fundamentals of E-business.

Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Maryville University offers a BS in Marketing. The program is fully online and requires the completion of 128 credits and an authentic senior year project. Courses start in the fall, spring, and summer and follow a regular semester schedule. Students may be able to enter the Early Access program and begin work on a master’s degree while completing the BS.

Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Millersville University offers a degree completion program for a BS in Marketing that can be completed entirely online. Applicants need at least 30 transferable credits before applying to qualify for admission. Students move through the program with a cohort. Cohorts start during the fall and spring semesters, and classes may be taken year-round.

Millersville University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Minot State University offers a BS in Marketing that can be earned fully online or on campus. The program requires the completion of 120 to 122 credit hours. Most courses are asynchronous, but a few may have minimal synchronous components. The courses follow a regular semester schedule with start dates in the fall, spring, and summer.

Minot State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Northwest Missouri State University offers a BS in Marketing that can be completed fully online. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours and allows up to 82 hours of transfer credits.

Courses are taken in accelerated half-terms, with six start dates each year. Potential courses include Consumer Behavior, Marketing Management, and International Marketing. The option to double major in Business Management is also available.

Northwest Missouri State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Oregon State University among the best schools in the nation for online bachelor’s degrees. OSU offers a program in which a BA or a BS in Marketing can be earned entirely online. The program requires the completion of 180 quarter credits. Classes are 11 weeks long, and there are four start dates offered each year.

Oregon State University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

A BS in Marketing can be earned entirely online through Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus. The program requires the completion of 120 credits. Courses follow a regular semester schedule during the fall and spring. The summer semester offers three accelerated sessions. Potential courses in the curriculum include Marketing Research, Business Strategy, and Supply Chain Management.

Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Southern New Hampshire University offers an online BS in Marketing. It requires the completion of 120 credits and allows up to 90 qualifying credits.

Courses are 8 weeks long, and there are multiple start dates offered. The program offers two optional concentrations: Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing. An accelerated BS-to-MS pathway is also available to allow students to begin working on a master’s degree while earning the BS.

SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

A Bachelor’s in Marketing can be earned entirely online through Southern Utah University. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours and can potentially be completed in just 3 years. Courses are taken in an accelerated, asynchronous format, and there are several start dates offered throughout the year.

Southern Utah University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

U.S. News & World Report named the University of Alabama – Birmingham as one of the best schools in the country for online bachelor’s degrees. UAB offers an online BS in Marketing. Along with general education credits, 78 credit hours must be earned in the major.

The University of Alabama – Birmingham is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

A BA in Marketing can be earned entirely online through the University of Arizona Global Campus’s Forbes Schools of Business and Technology. The program requires the completion of 120 credits and allows up to 90 qualifying transfer credits. Courses are 5 to 6 weeks long, and one class is taken at a time.

The University of Arizona Global Campus is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.

The University of Maryland Global Campus offers a Bachelor’s in Marketing. The program is fully online, with some hybrid options available. It requires the completion of 120 credits and allows up to 90 qualifying transfer credits.

There are three sessions offered each semester, and classes are taken in an accelerated format. Potential courses in the curriculum include Nonprofit Marketing, Consumer Behavior, and Social Media Marketing.

UMGC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

A BS in Marketing can be earned completely online through the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth. The program accepts qualifying transfer credits, so it can be used for degree completion as well. Most courses are taken in an asynchronous learning format. They may be 7 or 14 weeks long, and there are multiple start dates offered each year.

The University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.

The University of Minnesota offers a BS in Marketing that can be completed fully online. The program requires the completion of 120 credits. Courses follow a traditional semester schedule, and there are start dates in the fall, spring, and summer. The program can typically be completed in 4 years.

The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Online

Marketing is an in-demand skill that is relevant to nearly every industry and organization. Companies hire marketing professionals to help them connect with consumers and grow their brands.

If you’re hoping to launch a career in marketing, you’ll first want to earn a marketing bachelor’s degree. Take a look at the possibility of getting your marketing degree online. Taking online classes is convenient for many students, especially those who are balancing school and work. Accredited online colleges offer reputable marketing degrees that can take you far in life.

Start thinking about where you’d like to earn your online marketing degree!