Online Master’s In Marketing

Marketing involves promoting a product or service by determining a price, developing campaigns, and selecting a target audience. Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers make these and related decisions. Other typical job responsibilities include performing market research studies and mentoring inexperienced staff. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these managers earn a median salary of $141,490 per year.

The BLS projects employment for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers to grow 6% from 2019-2029. Although they may enter a strong job market, aspiring marketing managers often need every advantage to impress employers. A master's in marketing demonstrates in-demand skills and may qualify graduates for a promotion or raise.

Popular Questions to Ask when Pursing a Master's in Marketing

What can I do with a marketing master's degree?

Common positions for graduates include financial manager, market research analyst, and public relations and fundraising manager. Some roles may require professional experience in addition to a marketing master's degree.

How many years is a master's degree in marketing?

A typical master's degree requires 18-24 months to complete, depending on graduation requirements. Some students finish their marketing program faster by taking additional courses each semester.

Do marketing jobs pay well?

Marketing managers earn a median salary significantly higher than the national median for all occupations. Marketing professionals working in the advertising and public relations sectors earn higher median salaries than those in the information and wholesale trade industries, according to BLS data.

Is there a demand for marketing majors?

Demand varies based on career path. The BLS projects employment for marketing managers to increase 7% from 2019-2029. However, the BLS projects opportunities in the advertising and promotions specialization to contract slightly.

Why Get a Degree in Marketing?

The BLS projects a strong job market with many high-paying positions for master's in marketing graduates. The field also allows professionals to use their creativity in tasks such as designing a product's packaging. Master's students prepare for lucrative careers by selecting a specialization, such as advertising, event planning, or social media.

Online learning features multiple benefits, such as the flexibility to attend out-of-state universities without relocating. Some online marketing programs offer asynchronous curricula, which do not require degree-seekers to attend courses at specific times. Instead, learners schedule their education around work or other responsibilities.

How Much Does a Marketing Degree Cost?

The tuition rate for a master's in marketing program depends on several factors, including the type of institution. Public schools typically charge the lowest tuition rates, with discounted rates for in-state students. Private institutions usually charge higher tuition rates. Learners should also consider the cost of fees, such as technology fees for online degree-seekers.

Calculating a degree's total cost involves researching the school's tuition-reduction programs and institutional financial aid. Many universities offer tuition discounts to veterans and alumni. Students who work for one of the school's partner companies may also qualify for discounted tuition rates.

Prospective students can consider learning online to save money on education-related expenses. Online degree-seekers do not typically pay for campus services, such as housing and meal plans. Many schools waive facilities fees for online learners, and these students often save on transportation and childcare services.

How Much Do Marketing Majors Make?

Marketing salaries vary based on factors including geographic location. Advertising and promotions managers living in New York, New Jersey, and Colorado earn annual median salaries $20,000-$40,000 higher than the national median for these professionals. California and Ohio also feature high-paying positions. However, professionals working in these states may face a higher cost of living than graduates in other parts of the country.

An individual's industry also impacts their earning potential. Marketing managers working in the pharmaceutical, medical equipment, or cable programming industry earn median salaries exceeding $170,000 per year. Other high-paying fields include public relations and electronic component manufacturing.

Professionals can further increase their salary potential by gaining relevant experience and earning industry certifications. Additional options include completing professional development courses to hone analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Courses in Marketing

Marketing program curricula vary by school and by concentration area. Specialization options often include digital marketing, new media, marketing research, and social media marketing. However, all degree-seekers in the field gain the skills necessary to develop and manage a brand from conception to final product.

The sample curriculum below features three courses common to most marketing master's degrees. Graduation requirements vary by school, and course offerings can significantly impact students' career trajectories. Prospective degree-seekers can review a program's website or contact an academic advisor for details.

• International Marketing Strategy

  Students in the course analyze how managers adjust marketing campaigns to meet the unique needs of an international audience. Learners review case studies and emerging market trends. Degree-seekers also hone skills related to budgeting, market integration, and development. The course prepares learners to respond to global marketing's significant growth in recent years.

• Strategic Digital Marketing

  Internet marketing comprises a large portion of many organizations' advertising strategies. The class introduces degree-seekers to software suites that professionals use to craft and distribute online marketing materials. Learners develop digital marketing skills by reviewing and applying techniques to individual and group projects.

• Marketing Capstone

  Many top marketing programs require a capstone course in the final semester. Students develop a marketing campaign, synthesizing knowledge gained throughout the program. Learners may need to conduct original research, write an extended essay, and give a presentation. Graduates often use their final project as part of a job application portfolio.

Certifications and Licensure for Marketing

Although the BLS projects strong growth for the marketing field, professionals may need more than a master's in marketing to attain a lucrative and fulfilling position. Earning a certification may qualify workers for a promotion or raise. Many employers prefer job candidates who hold industry certifications.

Scholarships for Marketing

Students pursuing a master's in marketing degree can qualify for financial aid from sources including their institution and government agencies. Learners can also apply for private scholarships such as those below. Many organizations award funding to academically gifted students majoring in marketing or a related field. Each scholarship in the following list features a 2021 application deadline. Typical eligibility criteria include a satisfactory GPA and recommendation letters.

Online Master's in Marketing Programs