Online Marketing Graduate Degree Programs & Schools

Earn Your Online Marketing Graduate Programs

Marketing graduate programs geared for the online student may appeal to working professionals who want to take their education in topics like product promotion, consumer behavior, online marketing, integrated marketing and target markets to the next level. Marketing programs prepare graduates for potential careers in management with a combination of coursework in marketing theory and business case studies.

Others may dive deeper into specific application through the study of marketing analytics, research methods or digital marketing. In such a broad field, there are a variety of program options delivered through the flexible online format to help you pursue your interests and goals. Earning your marketing graduate program online could be a great way for busy students to advance their marketing expertise while potentially opening up new opportunities.

You could explore the latest methods and best practices in marketing and even perform your own research to advance the field. Plus, while many of today’s entry level occupations require at least a bachelors degree, current trends shown by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that employers do sometimes prefer candidates with a masters degree in marketing or a MBA for roles that involve technical research or leadership.

If you have the drive to advance your marketing skills and knowledge but cannot make it to a college campus, the convenience of distance-learning may help bring you closer to reaching your goals.

Potential Benefits of Attending Online Marketing Graduate Programs

While schools may format their online graduate marketing programs differently, they all use some form of web-based course delivery method. In some programs you may even be getting a mirror image of a residential program. How could the online format potentially benefit you?

• Earning your marketing degree online could mean that you log into your courses anytime, from wherever you have internet. (Great for working professionals and other busy students)
• For those who prefer live interactions, some programs offer courses with webinars and live streaming lectures.
• Access online libraries, e-books, and digital publications
• Attend a marketing graduate school even if it’s far away. This could be important if you’re interested in a specific application of marketing or specialized program.
• Study online at a local graduate school and visit the campus from time to time
• Use email or other web technology to communicate with professors
• Participate in online group discussions
• Access resources and support, like career services and tutoring, just like campus students
• Network with peers from all over the world

Programs vary, so contact schools directly to learn more about their online learning format and resources that may be available to you.

What Could I Study in Marketing Graduate Programs Online?

Marketing is a vast field, including a wide range of methods to promote products and services. Therefore, online marketing graduate programs may cover many different topics. Additionally, some programs may be geared to practitioners or those interested in leadership, while others take a more academic approach. Curriculums will vary depending on the degree level and program emphasis. Example courses you might take are as follows:

• Principles of marketing research
• Demand analysis
• Buyer behavior and dynamics
• Marketing campaign planning
• Market segments
• Pricing theory
• Strategic planning
• Consumer relations
• Retailing
• Profit relationships

This just a sample of what you might study in marketing graduate programs online. Read course lists and program descriptions to learn more about individual courses of study.

What are Types of Online Marketing Graduate Programs?

Online graduate marketing programs may be offered as graduate certificates, masters and doctorate degree programs. The level of study perfect for you depends on your previous experience and goals. Many online marketing graduate programs require an undergraduate degree such as a Bachelors in Marketing or a Bachelors in Business Administration. However some schools may accept students with undergraduate degrees from unrelated fields and may even offer a dual degree option.

Applying into doctorate programs may have different requirements. Due to the advanced level of study, online PhD in Marketing programs may ask for students to hold a masters degree, such as a Master of Science or Master of Business Administration in Marketing, and have related professional experience. Programs vary so it is recommended to review specifics from each school.

How long are Online Marketing Masters Degrees?

Online Masters in Marketing Programs may vary in length between schools, but on average they take from 1 to 2 years of full time study. In addition to coursework, some programs may entail an internship to help students gain real world experience. Others might ask students to complete a thesis. Requirements will vary by program and degree type.

Options at this level generally fall into three categories.

• Online Master of Arts (MA) in Marketing
• Online Master of Science (MS) in Marketing
• Online Master of Business Administration in Marketing

An Online MA or MS in Marketing may focus on a specific area of marketing, such as data marketing, or strengthen foundational knowledge. Regardless, these programs are concentrated on marketing as a field. The Online MBA – Marketing, on the other hand, is designed for those interested in management and a broader base of business expertise. Students could take core courses in finance, business law and operations, for example. Then they take elective courses to concentrate their studies in marketing.

Online Masters in Marketing and Marketing Management programs generally prepare individuals to pursue advanced roles in marketing or positions that perform more technical research. Plus, per the BLS, job prospects for market research analysts should be best for those with a master’s degree in market research, marketing, statistics, or business administration.

Did you know?

Although the typical entry level education requirement is a bachelor’s degree, 24% of marketing managers said they needed a master’s degree for their current role (according to O*Net).

How long are Doctorate in Marketing Online Programs?

Online Marketing PhD Programs may vary in length between schools but could take an additional 3 to 5 years or more to complete. Programs usually entail coursework, examinations, research and a dissertation.

Doctorate level programs may come in two different forms.

• Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Marketing
• Online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business / Marketing

Like the MBA, an online DBA in Marketing combines a core business education with additional courses in marketing. These programs are often designed for experienced professionals interested in pursuing leadership roles. An online PhD in Marketing may be more research heavy and take an academic approach. Earning a doctorate degree in business and marketing may prepare individuals for leadership, consulting, research and academia. Of course every program is different, so contact schools for details.

What are Online Marketing Graduate Certificates?

Online marketing graduate certificates could be a great way for busy professionals to continue their education and develop more focused expertise. These programs are usually shorter due to concentrated curriculum and may be completed in as little as a year. This combined with the flexible online format could make it a perfect way to explore new areas of marketing, or brush up current skills. Students might explore specific topics like Integrated Marketing Communications. Other certificate programs may take a broader approach to introduce students to marketing as a whole. Online graduate certificates in marketing tend to be used as add on credentials, but some may be applied towards a full degree program, like a Masters in Marketing. Programs vary so reach out to learn more.

Accreditation for Online Marketing Graduate Programs

Accreditation from a third party that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education may mean a school upholds certain industry standards that could matter to employers or schools should you continue your studies. Also, if you qualify for federal financial aid, you’ll need to choose an accredited school in order to remain eligible. At the institutional level, graduate schools may be nationally and regionally accredited and this information may be available on your prospective graduate school’s website. Or you could contact a program representative to learn more.

Some marketing graduate programs online are offered through business schools which may be accredited by specialized accrediting agencies. These types of agencies have additional criteria that are tailored to the area of study. Look for schools and programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), for example, if this interests you.

GradSchools.com offers 41 Graduate Schools with Online Marketing Graduate Degrees