A Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing can lead to a number of exciting careers in a variety of roles and industries. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), most employers in this field require at least a bachelor’ degree from candidates. This degree serves as an assurance that the candidates possess a certain level of knowledge and understanding about marketing topics such as advertising, marketing, management and general business areas.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing can also prepare graduates to take up roles in finance like financial analyst and business. According to recent data from BLS, careers in the field of business and finance are expected to experience above average growth and are likely to pay significantly higher salaries than the average.
Learn more about a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing in this comprehensive guide, complete with information on degree requirements, coursework, admission requirements, career outlook and potential job growth.
Opportunities with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
A Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing would open up a variety of unique opportunities in different areas of business and marketing. Students with this degree can end up becoming advertising and promotions managers, content marketers, digital marketers, market research analysts, marketing specialists, data scientists, copywriters and so on. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Business and Financial Occupations are expected to grow by 8% in the years from 2020 to 2030. The marketing sector is also expected to experience tremendous growth in the coming years. For instance, Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers will experience a growth of 10% in the years from 2020 to 2030, which will add nearly 31,800 new jobs in the field.
How long does it take to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing typically takes 4 years to complete, with a full-time study format. Students enrolled in part-time programs might spend more time completing this degree, while those enrolled in accelerated programs may be able to complete the degree in as little as three years.
After graduation, marketing degree holders can pursue further training by getting industry certifications or continuing master’s degree, though these are not a required component or entry-level positions.
How much does a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing cost?
The cost of a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing degree would depend on a number of factors, such as school, education delivery method, location, accreditation status, facilities offered etc. According to information from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of undergraduate tuition in 2018-19 was $18,383 for public institutes, $47,419 for private nonprofit institutes and $27,040 for private for-profit institutes.
Should I get a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
Getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing prepares students to take up different roles in a high-demand and high-growth field. Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a job growth of 22% for Marketing Research Analysts, whereas Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers are expected to experience a growth of 10% in the years from 2020 to 2030.
Graduates of marketing degrees are equipped with a large number of skills and training that can be applied to a wide range of careers. Marketing degrees help students develop flexible analytical skills, critical thinking and strong communication skills that can be used in a number of different professions. Students in marketing programs also acquire specific business skills and knowledge that can help them excel in areas such as management, marketing, finance and entrepreneurship.
What can I expect from a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
Students can expect to spend 4 years of their academic life completing a bachelor’s degree. The coursework for a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing would vary slightly from university to university, but by and large it would remain the same. Some of the courses students can expect to study include Global Marketing Techniques, Product Management, Retail and Sales Management, Marketing Strategy and Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Business to Business (B2B) Marketing, Logistical Strategies, Corporations and Finance etc.
Students may also have the option of selecting a concentration in marketing. Potential concentration options include Digital Marketing Strategy, Professional Sales Concentration, Sports Marketing, Advertising and Integrated Marketing or Global Marketing Management.
In addition to coursework, students may also have to complete a final year project or an internship in a marketing department of any organization.
How to choose a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing program?
When looking for a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, there are several factors that must be kept in mind. One of the fundamental factors to consider is the cost of the degree. In addition to that, students must also consider the mode of delivery. There are several universities offering online bachelor’s degrees in marketing for students who prefer this mode of delivery.
Choosing the right marketing degree also depends on the student’s individual goals and interests. Students ought to choose a degree that leads to the skill set and knowledge base they intend to use in their future career. Students should also take an in-depth look at the faculty, available concentrations and internship opportunities.
One of the most important aspects of the degree selection process is the accreditation of the program you select. This aspect is covered in more detail in the next section.
Accreditation for a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
Students are advised to ensure that the program they select is accredited by the relevant organization. They should ideally look for programs that hold accreditations from organizations like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business since this might be a concern for some employers.
Accreditation is a sign of educational quality. It determines whether an institute exceeds the minimum quality standards or not. It helps students shortlist acceptable institutions for enrollment and creates goals for institutions for self-improvement.
How to get into a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing program?
The admission requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing vary from institute to institute. However, by and large, most institutes have similar requirements for admission. Most institutes at this level would require students to have completed a high school diploma. Students would have to submit their ACT or SAT scores and might also have to provide proof of having a minimum 3.0 GPA score.
Additional requirements would include recommendation letters, proof of professional experience and personal essays. In some cases, students might be required to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics or statistics.
What can I do with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing can lead to numerous interesting and lucrative careers in a number of different fields. Students with a marketing degree can take up careers in fields such as management, business, finance and marketing. Potential career titles can be marketing assistant, sales manager, social media manager, digital marketer, public relations specialist etc. Careers with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing are discussed in detail in the section below.
Popular career paths
After completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing, students can go for careers such as the following:
Advertising Managers: These professionals are responsible for generating interest among buyers of a product or service. They may do this for a particular department or for an entire organization or even on a project to project basis. Advertising managers may find work in advertising agencies that design campaigns for clients.
Promotions Managers: These managers combine advertising with purchasing incentives such as sales and promotions to increase sales. These programs use mail, inserts in newspapers or online advertisements to target specific customers.
Marketing Managers: These managers make estimates about the demand for products and services offered by an organization. They also analyse and identify potential markets for the company’s products and assist in developing pricing strategies to help organizations achieve maximum profits. Marketing managers typically work with sales, product development and public relations staff.
Market Research Analysts: These professionals study the conditions of the market to determine the potential sales of a service or product. They help companies figure out what their target market is and how to promote their products effectively to any given market segment. They monitor and forecast marketing and sales trends and measure the effectiveness of marketing programs and techniques. In addition to that, these professionals gather data on customers, market conditions and competitors. Marketing research analysts also prepare reports and present results to clients and management. They create reports by converting complex data and findings into tables and graphs that are easy to understand for the client.
How much money can I make with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
The amount of money you make with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing would depend on a number of factors, such as the exact job title, seniority, educational level and the organization you work in. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Marketing Research Analysts made an annual median income of $65,810 per year in 2020. Advertising, Promotions and Marketing Managers made an annual median income of $141,490 in 2020. Another potential career option with this degree is Public Relations Specialists, who made an annual median income of $62,810 in 2020.