Associate Degree in Marketing

An Associate Degree in Marketing can help students launch their careers in the many areas of the lucrative field of marketing. This widespread field will continue to experience increased growth, with the best positions requiring at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in marketing or a related subject. However, it must be noted that students with an Associate Degree in Marketing would have a tremendous amount of options as well, in terms of stable entry-level positions. If you are looking for detailed information on the various aspects of an associate degree in marketing, the following guide would be of great use to you. Find out all you need to know about this degree, including the coursework, cost of the degree and popular career paths you can go for with an Associate Degree in Marketing.

Opportunities with an Associate Degree in Marketing

An Associate Degree in Marketing would open up a vast set of opportunities. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an addition of 750,800 new jobs in the occupational category of finance and business occupations, between the years 2020 and 2030. This massive addition in jobs is likely to be a result of globalization and an ever-expanding economic landscape. In addition to that, as the tax and regulatory environment becomes more complex and comprehensive, the need for accountants and auditors will grow. Market research analysts will also be in high demand due to an increased focus on the usage of data and marketing research in order to understand the customer base.

How long does it take to earn an Associate Degree in Marketing?

An Associate Degree in Marketing would take 2 years to complete. Some colleges might offer accelerated programs that can be completed in 1.5 years. An Associate Degree in Marketing can also be completed online, or in a part-time format, depending on the students’ preferences and options offered by the college.

How much does an Associate Degree in Marketing cost?

The cost of an associate degree in marketing depends on a number of factors. Students will have to keep aspects such as state residency in mind, since a lot of colleges and universities charge higher tuition for out-of-state students. However, there are many schools that would charge a flat tuition rate for online students regardless of their residency status. Another important factor to consider are the technology fees, per-credit costs and costs of books and additional facilities. For an associate degree in marketing, the cost would typically vary from $130 to $270 per credit. Students can expect to pay a total of $8000 to $19,000 in tuition fees.

Should I get an Associate Degree in Marketing?

An Associate Degree in Marketing can help open up a number of entry level positions for students who are interested in the vast and versatile field of marketing. If you want to learn the basics of marketing and get a job at the earliest possible time, an associate degree in marketing might be just the path for you. This degree can be completed in 2 years of time and can help you kick start your careers in a number of marketing areas. Students with an associate’s degree in marketing can also go for a bachelor’s degree in marketing in the future.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for Marketing Managers are expected to grow by 10%, while those for business professionals are expected to grow by 8% in the years from 2020 to 2030. This will create thousands of new job opportunities for marketing degree holders.

What can I expect from an Associate Degree in Marketing?

An Associate Degree in Marketing would expose students to a number of marketing concepts and courses. By the end of this program, students will be expected to develop a solid understanding of subject areas such as advertising, sales promotions, business development, business law, fundamentals of sales and public relations. All students will have to complete the principles of marketing course, which would teach them the basics of this field, covering areas such as the consumer decision process models, concepts of price, promotion, product and place.

Many Associate Degree in Marketing programs offer digital marketing classes, which teach students the use of computers and mobile devices to bring in customers. Social media marketing courses are also taught at some universities.

How to choose an Associate Degree in Marketing program?

Selecting the right Associate Degree in Marketing program can be tricky since there are several factors that ought to be taken into account. The first and foremost concern would be the cost of the program. Other factors to consider include the degree outcomes, coursework, location of the campus, facilities provided by the university, faculty credentials and notable alumni. One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing an associate degree in marketing is the accreditation status of the program. This requirement is covered in detail in the next section.

Accreditation for Associate Degrees in Marketing

Accreditation status is one of the most important concerns for aspiring college students. Educational institutes in the US receive accreditation from agencies recognized by the US Department of Education. The accreditation process includes a comprehensive review of the educational programs offered by the school along with the school services.

The accreditation status of a program impacts a lot of factors such as the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. Therefore, it is important for students to ensure national or regional accreditation for the program they are applying to.

How to get into an Associate Degree in Marketing program?

The admission requirements for an Associate Degree in Marketing program would vary from college to college. However, most associate degrees would typically require the completion of a high school diploma along with a completed application form. Some colleges might have additional prerequisite requirements as well.

What can I do with an Associate Degree in Marketing?

An Associate Degree in Marketing can lead to a number of exciting careers or future higher education programs. These programs teach students the basics of consumer behavior, how and why they buy products and how to influence purchasing habits through marketing efforts such as communications, branding and promotions. Graduates of these programs are prepared to take up positions in both sales and marketing. Let’s have a look at some of the most popular careers with an Associate Degree in Marketing.

Popular career paths

Advertising Sales Agents: These professionals, also referred to as advertising sales representatives are responsible for selling marketing space to individuals and businesses. They perform duties like contacting potential clients, explaining to clients the specific types of services offered by their firm, delivering advertising or illustration proofs to clients, recommending appropriate sizes and formats for marketing efforts etc. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job growth for this occupational category was 3%, which will add nearly 3,600 new jobs in the years from 2020 to 2030. The 2020 annual median pay for this occupation was $54,940.

Insurance Sales Agents: These professionals contact potential customers and sell different types of insurance packages. They also handle policy renewals and analyze client’s current insurance policies and also maintain records of all client’s data. Insurance agents typically sell one or more types of insurance, such as casualty, life, property, health and long-term care insurance. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these professionals made an annual median income of $52,180 in 2020. The expected job growth for this field was 7%, which is as fast as average and will add nearly 35,500 new jobs in the years from 2020 to 2030.

Sales Manager: These professionals direct and organize sales teams to resolve complaints from customers. They also prepare budgets and approve expenditures, analyze sales statistics, project sales and determine the profitability of different products and services. An Associate Degree in Marketing can lead to a 4-year long bachelor’s degree, which is the minimum level of education required for this job. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sales Managers made an annual median income of $132,290 in 2020, while the expected job growth rate was 7% in the years from 2020 to 2030. This growth rate will add nearly 27,900 new jobs in the field.

How much money can I make with an Associate Degree in Marketing?

An Associate Degree in Marketing can lead to numerous different careers. The amount of money you make in a marketing job depends on your education level, experience, skills and seniority level in the organization. It also depends on the conditions of the job market and the economic landscape. Business and Finance occupations in the US are expected to pay an annual median wage of $72,250 in May 2020, which is much higher than the average annual wage for all occupations of $41,950. This figure, however, would vary significantly from job to job, as evidenced in the section above. Please note that all salary and career statistics have been extracted from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2020.