Masters in Marketing Online
Derick de Souza
Derick is a business and education consultant working on various projects and scopes. With about 25 years of experience in different settings, he loves to tell others about “how not to be a failure” rather than “how to be successful.” Derick writes and edits articles on online learning, business, employment, and skill development, among others. His hobbies include photography, web design and development, and traveling.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
- Best Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology Program
- Find Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology
- Types Of Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology Programs
- What To Expect From The Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology Program?
- Areas Of Specialization For Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology
- Why Should I Pursue An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology?
- Areas Of Specialization For Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology
- Why Should I Pursue An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology?
- Types Of Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology Programs
- Areas Of Specialization For Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology
- Why Should I Pursue An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology?
- Areas Of Specialization For Online Bachelor’s Degree In Psychology
Marketing is the process by which individuals and companies identify, price, and distribute products or services to customers in exchange for currency. The term “marketing” is also used to describe the full range of activities involved in earning revenue or recognition by promotion, publicity, and advertising. Marketing can involve a great deal of creativity because there are no set rules for developing products that meet market expectations. However, several fundamental principles are involved in successful marketing, including targeting, positioning, and differentiation.
A masters in marketing online program is a graduate degree for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to get their master’s. Students of this program amass additional knowledge and acquire advanced skills in the field of marketing through courses that include Promotion Strategy, Data-Driven Marketing, and Social Media Analytics.
Marketing jobs do tend to have high salaries compared to other jobs. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that marketing managers earn an annual median wage of $141,490. Job growth also looks promising, with the BLS forecasting a 10% growth in the number of marketing managers between 2020 and 2030,
This page is about what a masters in marketing program entails – the types of degrees, career options, best colleges, and programs for a masters in marketing, funding options, and much more.
Best Online Masters in
Marketing Programs
Online marketing masters programs are available at many established and reputable colleges across the length and breadth of the country. The top universities for masters in marketing should boast commendable infrastructure, well-trained, qualified and experienced faculty, excellent student support services, valid accreditation, career guidance, and more. Several teams at FBD have searched through hundreds of colleges that meet these and other criteria to prepare a list of the ones offering the best marketing masters programs. *
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
Find Online Masters in Marketing
Programs Near Me
Almost all colleges in the United States charge two tuition rates for their programs, based on the student’s state of residency – in-state and out-of-state. In-state tuition tends to be substantially lesser than out-of-state tuition. Besides, those studying away from home will have to consider other expenses such as transport, accommodation, food, etc. Although online masters degrees in marketing ignore the student’s residency and charge a flat fee, some students may still prefer to choose an online program closer to home or from college that is in a location of their choice. To make the find of the right college by location easier, here is a list FBD teams have put together that contains a list of ‘online masters in marketing programs near me’:
What to expect from the Online
Masters in Marketing?
Types of Masters in Marketing
Degrees
Areas of Specialization for Online
Masters in Marketing
Specializing in a particular sub-field or specialty area of marketing can help students prepare for a marketing specialization that will match them with unique marketing positions, providing them a competitive advantage. Even though many firms lack the means to hire specialized marketers, businesses specializing in specific product and service categories choose to hire marketing professionals who specialize in those areas rather than generalists. Here are a few specializations to look at for master’s in marketing students:
| Specialization | Description | Careers |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising & Branding – Masters in Advertising & Branding Online | This specialization focuses on advertising and promotional strategy, branding, consumer behavior, and social media, along with digital advertising. Students learn brand management, advertising principles, marketing automation and campaign management, and more. | Advertising & Branding job titles account supervisor or manager, advertising manager, brand manager, media planner/buyer, account executive, account planner, etc. |
| Product Management – Masters in Product Management Online | This specialization emphasizes brand management, new product development, and pricing analytics, along with agile project management, entrepreneurship, and innovation and technology forecasting. Students prepare themselves for careers in this field, emphasizing the business and marketing areas vs. the purely technical product side. | Product Management job titles include product and development manager, junior or senior product manager, product planner, product strategist, etc. |
| Marketing Management – Masters in Marketing Management Online | This specialization includes courses and information that are an extension to the study of marketing, including non-marketing areas such as organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, finance, finance information technology, etc. | Marketing Management job titles include sales and marketing manager, marketing manager, marketing communications manager, marketing and sales manager, marketing account manager, etc. |
| Business Development & Professional Sales Marketing – Masters in Business Development & Professional Sales Marketing Online | This specialization concentrates on professional selling, customer relationship management, digital sales strategy, and building and managing professional sales organizations and enterprise systems, and more. | Business Development & Professional Sales job titles include business development manager, sales coordinator, promotions manager, sales manager, customer relationship manager, etc. |
Digital Advertising & Marketing – Masters in Digital Advertising & Marketing Online | This specialization prepares students to enter a digital marketing profession by studying mobile marketing, digital marketing strategy and tactics, pay-per-click, search engine optimization (SEO), marketing automation, usability and web analytics, social media, and more. | Digital Advertising & Marketing job titles include internet marketing manager, web analytics manager, marketing automation analyst, content marketing manager, search engine optimization (SEO) specialist, social media specialist, e-commerce or e-retail manager, online marketing specialist, mobile marketing manager, etc. |
| Marketing Analytics – Masters in Marketing Analytics Online | This specialization provides students with specific knowledge on analytics through database foundations, advanced statistics, spreadsheet modeling, econometrics, customer analytics and insights, big data analytics, advanced modeling, machine learning, and more. | Marketing Analytics job titles include marketing analyst, marketing manager, reporting analyst, reporting manager, etc. |
Some examples of other specialization programs in a master’s in marketing degree students can consider are:
What is Masters in Digital
Marketing?
Why should I do Online Masters in
Marketing?
MS in Marketing vs MBA in
Marketing
How to get into the Online Masters in
Marketing program?
How to get a masters degree in marketing? Applicants getting a masters degree in marketing are required to have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, but preferably in marketing or a marketing-related field and may require related work experiences. Although uncommon, depending on the incoming student’s educational background and the specialization they are opting for, one may also need to take up prerequisite courses before beginning the master’s program. It is worth pointing out that each program and college may have different admission requirements. However, here is a list of general requirements by most accredited colleges:
Note: Students are advised to check with the admissions office of their chosen college for exact and specific admission requirements, as they vary by college and program.
How long does it take to complete the Online
Masters in Marketing?
Accreditation for Online Bachelor’s
Degree in Marketing
Accreditation is a procedure by which an outside authority certifies that a school or degree program meets preset quality and rigor standards. Accreditation is possible for online, hybrid, and on-campus degree programs. While accreditation is optional, it provides numerous advantages in that it validates a program to employers and other colleges and institutions. Accreditation also ensures that students can easily and readily transfer credits from one recognized institution to another and be eligible to receive federal financial aid. Any of the six regional accrediting agencies authorized by the U.S Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) can accredit a college. The following is a list of regional accrediting agencies:
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Students can look for a school’s accreditation status or program through the official U.S Department of Education website or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website.
Where regional accreditation is not available, the program one is enrolling in must be programmatically accredited by a specialist accreditation agency. A specialist-accredited marketing degree signifies that the school satisfied the subject-specific requirements of the marketing industry. Some specialty accreditors include:
International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE)
The International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) accredits bachelor programs offered by traditional colleges and institutions that also offer bachelor’s degrees.
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to over 1,700 member organizations and more than 900 accredited business schools worldwide.
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is the only organization that accredits schools that offer bachelor’s degrees as their highest level of education, making them the only option for community colleges.
Students are advised to read the in-depth Guide to Accreditation to understand what accreditation is about and why it is essential.
Online Masters in Marketing no
GRE/GMAT Programs
Some colleges do not require students to take or submit scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) when applying to a marketing master’s degree online. However, applicants should consider whether taking one of these exams and submitting test scores will improve their chances of being accepted into the program. Test results are disregarded in several cases where they usually are necessary, provided the applicant has at least 3 to 5 years of professional experience, another master’s degree, or a good Grade Point Average (GPA).
Here are a few examples of online masters in marketing no GRE and online masters in marketing no GMAT:
University of Denver – Master’s in Marketing Communication
The University of Denver offers an online Master of Arts in Communication Management with a concentration in Marketing Communication that does not require a GRE or GMAT score and can be completed in as little as 18 months.
Columbia Southern University – Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing
The Columbia Southern University offers an online Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing that does not require students to submit a GRE or GMAT score to enroll in the program.
The Online University of Colorado – Master of Science in Marketing
The Online University of Colorado offers a Master of Science in Marketing that usually does not require applicants to submit GRE or GMAT scores.
Accelerated Online Masters
Degree in Marketing
In essence, accelerated master’s degrees are programs designed to allow students pursuing a bachelor’s degree to receive their master’s degree faster. Accelerated master’s degrees typically require students to complete a bachelor’s degree, followed by a shorter period (typically one year, instead of the standard two) in which students complete the requirements for a master’s degree. However, universities are increasingly offering students the option to accelerate or fast-track a master’s program through the transfer of credits, additional coursework loads, specializations, program flexibility, etc.
While most online master’s in marketing will require about 2 years to complete, accelerated or fast-track programs can be finished in as few as 12 to 15 months. It is worth noting that these fast-packed programs are not ideal for working students or students who have responsibilities outside of their education, as they tend to be rigorous and require summer-time study too. Here are a few examples of accelerated online master’s in marketing degree programs:
Colorado Technical University (CTU) – Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Marketing
The Colorado Technical University (CTU) offers an ACBSP accredited Master of Business Administration in Marketing (MBA Marketing) that can be completed in about 12 months provided the student meets certain criteria and program requirements.
The University of Michigan-Dearbor – Master of Science in Marketing
The University of Michigan-Dearbor College of Business offers a Master of Science in Marketing program that follows the hybrid delivery model – some courses are on campus, and some online. The program can often be completed within 10 to 12 months of full-time study.
University of Arizona – Master of Science in Marketing
The University of Arizona, Eller College of Management, offers a Master of Science in Marketing that can be completed over 12 months, 16 months, or a more extended part-time schedule.
Florida International University – Business – M.S in Marketing
University of Colorado – M.S in Marketing
University of Florida Warrington – M.S in Marketing program
How to Pay for Online Masters in
Marketing Programs?
Scholarships for Online Bachelors in
Marketing
A marketing scholarship can give students the financial support to reduce tuition costs while pursuing an online master’s in marketing degree program. Scholarships can offset, minimize, or remove the cost of tuition and allow students to focus on their studies rather than having to worry about how to pay for tuition. Here are some online master’s in marketing scholarships:
| Scholarship | Description | Amount/Award | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing EDGE Scholarship Program | The Marketing EDGE scholarship program works to alleviate the financial burden of college tuition so students can focus their time and efforts on their academic studies. The selection of awardees is based on a combination of academic performance and demonstrated interest in the marketing field, such as classes, extracurricular activities, internships, etc. | $2,000 to $5,000 | Closed for 2021 | TBA for 2023 |
| Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Scholarship | The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation Scholarship for the Advancement of Women in Sports & Entertainment has been established to aid women in furthering their education and profession in entertainment or sport, encourage their valued participation in the field, and benefit the profession. Applicants must be a Public Relations, Communication, Media Studies, Marketing, or Journalism major with a desire to work in the entertainment or sports industry. | $1,000 x 8 Scholarships | Closed for 2021 | TBA for 2023 |
| FormSwift Scholarship Program | The FormSwift Scholarship Program is for driven, up-and-coming entrepreneurs ready to commit to building a better world through their business ideas. To apply, students are required to create a unique business plan infographic. | $1,000 | February 15, 2023 |
| Majux Scholarship | The Majux Scholarship is awarded by Majux, a digital marketing agency located in Philadelphia that is nationally known as one of the leaders in SEO for law firms and a company that provides services for eCommerce and Fortune 500 websites. The scholarship is awarded to full-time students attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university who have a minimum 3.0 GPA, documented by an official transcript. | $1,000 | July 30, 2023 |
Free Courses for Online Masters in
Marketing
Whether one is looking to complete an online master’s degree in marketing at their own pace, or one wants to accelerate one’s degree by doing a part-time degree program, they can find numerous free courses for a master’s in marketing that can be of immense help. While free online courses do not confer a master’s degree, they are often created by some of the best universities in the world and can provide students with additional knowledge and insights outside of the classroom and textbook. Here are a few resources for free courses for master’s in marketing degree students:
| Course | Description | Offered by |
|---|---|---|
| Topics on Marketing | Google Primer is a free mobile app that provides quick, simple courses to help business owners and people improve their business and marketing abilities and achieve their objectives. Students can select classes relevant to their careers by picking from a multitude of business and digital marketing topics. | Google Primer |
| Social Marketing Success Kit | The Social Marketing Success Kit teaches students how to identify the proper social media platforms for their business, how to use social media advertising, how to create a social media calendar, and how to organize a social media team. Webinars, e-books, PowerPoint decks, and a blog are all included in the bundle. | Social Marketing Success Kit |
| Topics on Marketing | Over 400 free marketing classes are available at MarketingTeacher.com, covering a variety of learning levels and sub-fields of marketing, such as creative marketing, digital marketing, international marketing, relationship marketing, and more. | Marketing Teacher |
| Topics on Marketing | Udemy has over 1200 free courses and programs ranging from Affiliate Marketing, Digital Marketing, YouTube Marketing, Public Relations, Paid Advertising, Branding, and more. | Udemy |
| Topics on Marketing | Class Central offers over 680 free online courses and MOOCs from the University of Pennsylvania, University of California, eCornell, Northwestern University, University of Virginia, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and other top universities around the world. | Class Central |
FAQs about Online Masters in
Marketing Programs
How to get a masters degree in marketing?
What are the best masters programs in marketing?
What can you do with a masters in marketing?
What is the average fee charged by the colleges for a marketing masters?
Is a masters in marketing hard?
Can you get a masters in marketing online?
Is a masters in marketing worth it?
Career Opportunities and Salaries after Online
Masters in Marketing
A master’s degree in marketing online is a sure way to increase one’s earning potential, and acquiring one is an excellent way to start a promising career in marketing. Naturally, graduates will be pressured to work hard and deliver. They will have to demonstrate that they can perform under pressure constantly. Still, those who succeed will be rewarded with high salaries, incentives, commissions and bonuses, stock options and promotions, and other benefits.
Those who earn a master’s degree in marketing can find employment in a wide range of settings, including large and small businesses as well as manufacturing units and start-ups, insurance companies, healthcare organizations and hospitals, educational institutions, real estate firms, nonprofit organizations, and other multi-national corporations. Some examples of job titles include, but are not limited to:
Due to a variety of industries that marketing graduates can work in and the varied job responsibilities despite similar job titles, it is difficult to estimate the exact salary one might expect; determining job growth is also difficult. However, to present a fair idea, O*NET OnLine reports that Marketing Managers take home an annual median salary of $142,170 and expect the availability of occupations to expand between 10% and 15%, faster than for all occupations. It is noteworthy that the number of years of experience one has will often determine seniority, career prospects, and higher pay.
Here is a list of a few roles in the marketing sector and the master’s degree in marketing salary and job growth, as reported by O*NET OnLine:
| Occupation | Skills Required | Median Annual Salary | Job Growth (up to 2030) | Job Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising & Promotions Manager | Active listening, social perceptiveness, speaking skills, judgment & decision making, critical thinking. | $133,460 | 10% to 15% (faster than average) | An Advertising & Promotions Manager plans, directs, or coordinates advertising policies and programs or produces collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis. |
| Sales Manager | Active listening, speaking skills, persuasion, coordination, critical thinking. | $132,290 | 5% to 10% (as fast as average) | A Sales Manager plans, directs, or coordinates a product or service’s actual distribution or movement to the customer. They coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and delivering training programs for sales representatives. |
| Marketing Specialist | Writing skills, active listening, complex problem solving, critical thinking, reading comprehension | $65,810 | 15% or higher (much faster than average) | A Marketing Specialist researches conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. They gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. They may also collect information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution and employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets. |
| Public Relations Specialist | Coordination, speaking skills, time management, active listening, social perceptiveness. | $62,810 | 10% to 15% (faster than average) | A Public Relations Specialist promotes or creates an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. They may write or select material for release to various communications media and may specialize in using social media. |
| Search Marketing Strategist | Active listening, reading comprehension, active learning, complex problem-solving, critical thinking. | $65,810 | 15% or higher (much faster than average) | A Search Marketing Strategist employs search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. They examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content and analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization. |
Certifications and Licensing for Online
Masters in Marketing
Additional Resources for Masters in
Marketing Online
Author Bio:
Derick de Souza
Derick is a business and education consultant working on various projects and scopes. With about 25 years of experience in different settings, he loves to tell others about “how not to be a failure” rather than “how to be successful.” Derick writes and edits articles on online learning, business, employment, and skill development, among others. His hobbies include photography, web design and development, and traveling.
Degrees
Master of Social Work, Master of Health Psychology
Areas of Expertise & Credentials
None to disclose in particular; the basics are covered in the short bio.
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.