This degree program provides students with basic knowledge in key subjects such as marketing research, strategic management, advertising, and promotion.

Degree Benefits:

  • Competitive pay (median salary for Marketing Managers is $141,490*)
  • Job growth outlook (10% for Marketing Managers)*
  • Multiple career options (in fields such as brand or product management, retailing, fundraising, public relations, etc.)

Courses include:

  • Marketing manager
  • Market research analyst
  • Promotions manager
  • Green marketers
  • Advertising sales manager

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In most cases, it will take four years to complete a traditional bachelor’s degree in marketing and there isn’t much difference for distance learning programs. This is assuming you are able to attend the college or university full-time. Online degrees are often preferred by those who have scheduling conflicts due to work or personal responsibilities at home. If you are unable to attend full-time, completing your online program may take between five and eight years.

Specific course titles will vary from institution to institution, but most programs will cover similar course material. Common marketing degree topics include:

  • Business-to-Business Marketing
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Global Marketing Techniques
  • Marketing Research
  • Corporate Finance
  • Marketing Strategy and Management
  • Product Management
  • Retail and Sales Management
  • Logistical Strategies
  • Marketing Research
  • Corporations and Financing

Most traditional colleges and universities offer a marketing degree or, at the very least, a business degree with a marketing concentration. This is not always the case, however. As a result, it is important to review the list of programs available before enrolling. If you know you want to major in marketing, always verify that the school in question can provide the educational opportunities you desire.

Before you enroll in a marketing degree program, online or otherwise, you should find out how long it takes for most students to graduate. While most traditional colleges and universities offer four-year programs, some degrees are known to a longer period of time. You should also research the institution’s graduation rate, as well as the rate of employment afterward.

While colleges and universities are not required to seek accreditation, most reputable ones do. Being accredited is a sign that the institution meets important academic standards. Institutions can seek accreditation from a number of international and regional agencies. The most prominent international accreditation organizations for business and marketing programs include:

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
  • Accreditation Council for Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
  • Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
  • Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

The AACSB is the gold standard. It does not, however, accredit many distance learning programs. DETC is the best alternative for those seeking an online degree in marketing.


Some colleges and universities opt to become accredited by a regional agency. In these cases, all of the institution’s programs meet certain regionally-accepted expectations. Graduates of a regionally accredited school will be able to find work in the area, but may have trouble if they move to another location. Regional accreditation organizations include:

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
  • North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCACS)
  • Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC)
  • Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Schools (WASC ACS)

Some colleges and universities offer job placement assistance for current students and graduates. While it is impossible for the institution to guarantee employment, these programs do provide some very useful resources. At a minimum, most offer interview preparation assistance, resume creation training, and career coaching services. If you feel you could benefit from any of these amenities, look for a college or university that provides job placement assistance.