Online Bachelor Degree in Marketing Programs

Online Bachelor Degree in Marketing Programs may offer a convenient option for working students who want to prepare for a variety of potential roles in advertising, brand management, promotions or corporate marketing. If you are an analytic thinker with a strong sense of creativity, marketing majors use both the left and right sides of the brain in order to learn how to drive business results through ingenuity and innovative programs. If you lack the time to commute, an online Marketing bachelors degree is worth considering - this is the credential needed for entry-level positions in this fascinating field.[i]

Online Bachelors Degree in Marketing Programs: Essentials

Typically a 4-year career-focused undergraduate program, an Online Bachelor Degree in Marketing program covers general business practices and marketing methods as well as sales or strategic product development. The typical prerequisite for enrollment is a High School Diploma or GED. Some degree programs include fieldwork or an internship in addition to web-based classroom learning. A capstone project may be required to complete the degree.

DID YOU KNOW?

56% of Marketing Managers have a Bachelor’s degree.[ii]

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About Online Learning

If you are new to the idea of online marketing degree programs, don’t let the ‘online’ component fool you into this is the ‘easy way out’. Distance-learning is mainstream given that many students may already be out in the workplace or just may not be able to relocate near an accredited program.

While each school may have a different format, or offer distinct courses, there are a few features of web-based programs to know about that may help you with your selection.

100% online means that your courses are delivered via a course management system, sometimes called a blackboard system, and your assignments are submitted through the same portal.

Blended or partial online means that you may have to go to the campus on occasion or for a scheduled intensive or group project.

Asynchronous means, just like when you watch a YouTube video, your courses are pre-recorded or videotaped. MP3 format is common. Courses are available 24/7 so you can schedule them according to your own timetable.

Synchronous means live-streaming. You have to schedule yourself to be present (at your computer) for these webinars, and usually they are interactive so you can type your questions in and get an answer in real-time.

Technology provides tools for (marketing) research via online libraries. Sometimes you have to pick up some software to make your computer compatible, or get a webcam

Participation or interaction varies; your online program may have some built in group encounters where you meet face-to-face but it might not. It is common that students in online marketing degree programs may have to participate in some type of online discussion board. Correspondence is through email, texts, web chats.

A few things that you might want to be on the look out for are:

  • If the university has a campus program as well, are you getting the same faculty in the online program?
  • Is there a 24/tech support team?
  • As an e-learner do you get access to any student services (career counseling)?
  • Is the school accredited?

One of the features of eLearners.com is that you can use the orange tab next to each listing to contact the school.

Accreditation

There are two types of accreditation –institution and program.

The U.S. Department of Education awards different regional bodies who are designated the task of accrediting a university or school. In the case of marketing programs, these would be accredited by:

  • The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)[iii] or
  • The Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP)[iv]

Inside an Online Bachelor Degree in Marketing

Marketing is a type of business degree. An Online Bachelors degree in Marketing is designed to teach you a few specific skill-sets. Keep in mind that curriculums vary between universities, but some of your courses might include topics such as:

  • Communication
  • Identification of consumer (buyer) needs
  • How to attract new customers
  • Collect data
  • Develop and distribute products & services
  • Public relations
  • Advertising strategies
  • Online multi media marketing
  • Strategic sales
  • Consumer behavior
  • Marketing theory and practice
  • Marketing research
  • Advertising theory
  • Sales Management

Types of Online Marketing Bachelors Degrees

If you are sold on the idea of earning your marketing degree online there are different Bachelors programs to consider. These are the:

  • Online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program with a marketing concentration
  • Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Marketing
  • Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing

Online Bachelor of Business Administration / Marketing

For e-learners who want to take more business and management-oriented courses, either the BBA or (Bachelor of Business) in Marketing might be the right choice – especially if you are looking ahead to the possibility of an MBA. Students who complete an online Bachelor’s degree in Business – Marketing may take-away a set of decision-making skills that apply to business and management settings as well as important understanding in sales, product management, retailing, marketing research and advertising. Some of the potential business course topics might include:

  • Applied management principles
  • Business law
  • Negotiation/conflict management
  • Economics
  • Statistics
  • Accounting

Online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marketing

A Bachelor of Science in Marketing offers students who know what they want to do after graduation the opportunity to take more advanced marketing courses, fewer electives and may include some concentration areas (brand management, marketing research, advertising, consumer behavior). Bachelor of Science in Marketing programs typically have more of an analytical focus than an arts program. While you may also learn some general business courses, some of the course topics might include:

  • Advertising techniques
  • Brand development
  • E-marketing (internet marketing)
  • Search engine optimization
  • Consumer behavior
  • Sales management
  • Finance
  • Data analytics, computer science

Online Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Marketing

A Bachelor of Arts in Marketing is less specialized than a B.S. so this type of program generally has fewer major-related classes and advanced courses but more electives and general education classes such as humanities courses. Some of these course topics might include:

  • Public speaking
  • Public relations
  • A second language
  • Business law and ethics
  • Market research analysis
  • Copywriting

If you are open to learning a little bit about each area of marketing instead of focusing on a particular area, this might be the right track for you.

Take the Next Step

If you know the type of career you hope to have. . . 

Advertising?

Brand Manager?

Market Research Analyst?

. . . then find out from your guidance counselor which academic path might best support this decision. While to be sure marketing requires both business savvy and creativity, you will want to leverage your academic strengths. So take that next step and find an Online Bachelor Degree in Marketing that aligns with your ambitions!


[i] bls.gov/ooh/management/advertising-promotions-and-marketing-managers.htm |[ii] onetonline.org/link/summary/11-2021.00 |[iii] aacsb.edu/accreditation/accredited-members |[iv]acbsp.org |onetonline.org/link/summary/11-2021.00 | bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/market-research-analysts.htm