Marketing is a vibrant field that engages you in the important task of communicating the message of a business to its audience. All businesses depend upon the important work of marketers, and earning your online marketing degree will break the job market wide open for you.A variety of focuses are available to those pursuing an online marketing degree. Some marketing degrees involve advertising, sales, or public relations, while others revolve around market research and product management. Digital marketing is a burgeoning field that challenges marketers to keep up with trends in online advertising and search engine optimization. Most companies have a marketing manager and marketing teams, so teamwork and leadership skills are key.Needless to say, college students who graduate with marketing degrees can find a number of job opportunities in a variety of niches. The number of marketing management positions is expected to increase at a faster than average rate of around 9% over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.The most successful and satisfied marketing professionals are often creative, highly motivated, and driven by a solid understanding of what motivates consumers. They have highly developed written and oral communication skills, and are excited to help businesses succeed. If this sounds like you, an online marketing degree or online marketing master's degree could increase your career options and bolster your salary. Our guide to the education and career options related to marketing will start you off on your path toward entering and advancing in this exciting field.
Online Marketing Degree Overview
| Degree Level | Average Cost | Loan Default Rate | Time Commitment | Early Career Pay | Mid-Career Pay | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | $14,229 | 14.3% | 2 years | $36,200 | $46,496 | 5.6% |
| Bachelor's | $16,897 | 9.96% | 4 years | $36,381 | $64,768 | 4.3% |
| Master's | $19,127 | 9.73% | 2 years | $56,750 | $77,466 | 4.5% |
Many entry-level marketing positions require at least an associate degree, but job candidates with bachelor's degrees are often given preference from hiring committees. Management positions typically require a bachelor's degree and some prior experience in marketing. Both bachelor's and associate degree-holders can work their way up in companies to higher-level positions once they have proven their marketing acumen. Those with graduate marketing degrees are most likely to work in higher-level positions.
Online Marketing Degrees
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Online Marketing Choose Your Career
| Career | Median Salary | Projected Growth | 2014 Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising Manager | $124,850 | 9% | 225200 |
| Market Research Analyst | $62,150 | 19% | 495500 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,770 | 6% | 240700 |
| Sales Manager | $113,860 | 5% | 376300 |
Online Marketing Professional Requirements
MRA Certificate
The Marketing Research Association (MRA) offers a few different certificate options for marketing professionals. In particular, the MRA Certificate in Qualitative Research Principles and the MRA Certificate in Quantitative Research Principles are popular options that help marketing professionals build their credentials and experience in the realm of research. Both of these MRA certificates require the completion of courses offered by MRA. These courses expose you to advanced methods of consumer and marketing research. You should take this exam if you are interested in advancing your career as a marketing researcher or analyst. MRA-certified professionals often already have their marketing degrees and are working as marketing professionals while they complete the certification programs.
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) offers Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) through an exam that tests your professional knowledge and knowledge of public relations practices and ethics. This exam is right for you if you are a seasoned public relations professional who wishes to bolster your credentials with the industry's most-respected and well-known certification. If you are a college student or recent graduate, you may want to complete PRSA's Certificate in Principles of Public Relations before you sit for the APR exam. The Certificate in Public Relations is specifically designed for students earning their marketing degrees or recent graduates of undergraduate marketing degree online and offline programs.
AMA's Professional Certified Marketer
The American Marketing Association (AMA) offers the Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) credential to professionals who successfully pass the necessary exam. The PCM exam tests your competency and knowledge of core marketing principles and marketing trends. If you have an online marketing degree and two years of professional experience, you are qualified to take this exam. Current marketing students and those with marketing degrees and less than two years of relevant experience are not eligible to sit for the PCM exam. A PCM credential provides further proof of your knowledge and competency as a marketing professional.