1. How much is a marketing degree worth?
Well-trained marketing graduates can expect to earn comfortable salaries. The U.S. government’s National Compensation Survey from 2005 indicates that managers in marketing and advertising were among the most highly compensated white collar workers and earned an average of $45.36 an hour. The mean income for marketing teachers was almost the same, $45.73.
In Salary.com reported the following average wages for marketing jobs:
Brand manager $87,787
Call center manager $74,474
Marketing director $142,130
Market research analyst, Level I $48,043
Market research analyst, Level II $55,651
Market research analyst, Level III $70,322
Market research manager $92,630
The above figures do not include bonuses and benefits such as health care insurance. Many marketing employees have significantly higher incomes than the average American worker.
Also, business careers tend to feature many opportunities for advancement; note the salary progression for the market research analyst positions above. Earning a degree online is a great way to stay employed while preparing for a promotion.
2. Which marketing degrees can be earned online?
All levels of marketing degrees – associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral – can be earned through distance learning. Certificates are also available to undergraduate and graduate students. These can enhance a general business degree to show expertise in a given area of marketing. For instance, Drexel University offers an online six-course certificate program in Retail Leadership.
3. How does online education work?
Online degree programs can be completed 100% online or through a blend of online and face-to-face learning. The latter are more accurately referred to as blended or hybrid courses. When a course is fully online, all of the following are accomplished over the internet: enrolling; listening to lectures; downloading readings; submitting work; communicating with the instructor and other students; taking examinations; and receiving grades. Some schools require distance learners to take proctored exams on campus or at a more convenient location, such as an affiliated university or community center.
Of course, certain subject areas cannot be learned entirely online. Some professions require new entrants to have completed internships, residencies, or student teaching. These requirements can usually be met in the student’s hometown while classes are taken online.
4. How long does it take to earn a marketing degree online?
Online students have a major advantage over traditional students: greater flexibility. Since online students can attend virtual classes at any time and without commuting, they often find it possible to take accelerated programs. This means that going to school online is sometimes faster than going to school on campus.
Of course, any program can be accelerated by the application of transfer credits. Most schools accept about six transfer credits or the equivalent of two courses. However, some universities offer more generous transfer policies.
Earning an associate’s degree in marketing online will generally take one or two years. A bachelor’s degree will usually require three or four years of study, but there are exceptions. For instance, Colorado Tech’s online bachelor’s program in marketing can be completed in about 2 ½ years with no prior college experience. MBA programs in marketing vary considerably in length, but students usually take core business courses one year and focus on marketing courses during a second year.
5. Which schools offer online marketing degrees?
Fortunately for marketing students, online business programs were among the first to gain widespread acceptance among employers. They’re offered by long-established community colleges, state schools, and prestigious private universities. Chances are good that a school you already know and trust has moved many of its degree programs online. Also, check our other articles for lists of reputable online undergraduate programs and graduate programs in marketing.
6. Which online marketing degree programs are reputable?
Before applying to an online marketing program, make sure that it’s accredited by CHEA, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Thousands of schools in the U.S. are accredited, and their accredited status indicates that they meet standards required by employers and other accredited schools. It’s also a good idea to select a program that’s endorsed by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Endorsed programs mention AACSB in their degree program descriptions.
7. What is studied in an online marketing program?
Depending on the program, marketing students study one or more of the following aspects of marketing in depth: advertising and public relations; market research; non-profit marketing; product management; and retail. Online students typically use the same textbooks and have the same professors as on-campus students.
Sample curriculum: Bachelor’s students in top-ranked Florida Tech’s online business administration program can concentrate on marketing. Their curriculum includes 94 core credits and 30 elective credits. Students begin with a course entitled “Mastering e-Learning” and a course in basic computer skills or business computer skills. Their other core courses are in English, accounting, law, management, psychology, and other areas relevant to business. Elective courses for the online marketing degree have titles such as “Entrepreneurial Marketing,” “International Marketing,” and “Advertising Management.”
8. What are some career paths in marketing?
Students pursue marketing degrees in order to work in the following career areas:
Advertising
Branding/Brand Management
Business-to-Business Marketing
Channel Management (Distribution)
Direct Response Marketing
International Marketing
Marketing Models/Systems Analysis
Marketing Research
Non-profit Marketing
Product Development
Retailing Management
Sales
Sales Management
Services Marketing
