What Is a Marketing Degree?

Marketing degrees include courses in business, management, and marketing to prepare you to implement effective marketing strategies for your organization. While a marketing degree may not always be necessary to get a marketing job, you can broaden your career opportunities by earning one. 

Skilled marketing professionals are increasingly in demand. By majoring in marketing and pursuing a career in this field, you can engage your creativity and strategic thinking, learn marketing foundations and principles, and explore new technologies and platforms while taking on the ever-evolving business world.

Learn more about what a marketing degree is and what you can do with it.

Read more: Marketing: What Is It and Why Do Companies Need It?

What is a marketing degree? 

A marketing degree is an academic course of study—at either the undergraduate or graduate level—focusing on promoting products and services to a target audience.

When you earn a marketing degree, you’ll learn how to find out what people want, understand the needs of different customer segments, communicate how a product or service fills those needs, and guide potential customers to take action. Marketing degree coursework combines theory and practice so that graduates can enter careers equipped to help companies increase their profitability and brand recognition. 

Marketing degrees share some similarities with business administration, advertising, and public relations. Consider these essential differences before majoring in marketing:

• Business administration is broader in scope than marketing. It covers topics such as management, accounting, corporate leadership, and marketing. 

• Advertising is part of marketing but is more narrow in scope. Advertising focuses on promoting a brand and its products through paid channels.  

• While marketing focuses on generating leads and promoting products to a target audience, public relations focuses on maintaining a positive reputation for a company.

Marketing degrees by level

You can earn a marketing degree at different levels of education, each with its own requirements and areas of emphasis.   

Associate degree in marketing 

Typical required course credits: 60 

In an associate degree program, you’ll learn about the foundations of market research, how to select a target market, consumer behavior, and product promotion. 

An associate degree in marketing might be the best path for you if you want to enroll in a post-secondary program and gain a firm understanding of this field but aren’t yet sure that a four-year degree is your goal.  

Bachelor’s degree in marketing

Typical required course credits: 120

If you want to obtain the education level many employers prefer when evaluating marketing job applicants, then a bachelor's degree in marketing may be a good idea.

Two types of bachelor’s degrees in marketing exist: a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS). You'll typically learn the foundations of market research and strategies in both degree programs. The main difference between these two four-year programs is their focus.

BA in marketing

This degree option entails a broad study of the marketing industry. Some BA in marketing programs may focus more on the humanities components of this major, such as communications and brand management. You may also be able to choose your courses and electives with more flexibility. This path would be ideal for you if the creative aspects of marketing appeal to you.

BS in marketing

A BS in marketing also covers a broad range of marketing topics while focusing more on this field's economics, finance, and business side. If the scientific and technological aspects appeal to you, you may prefer a BS in marketing instead of a BA. 

Master’s degree in marketing 

Typical required course credits: 30 to 33 

A master’s degree in marketing is a graduate course of study. If you have a bachelor’s degree in marketing or a related field and want to pursue more advanced or managerial job opportunities, a master’s degree can put you on the right path. 

The two types of master’s degrees in marketing include a Master of Science in Marketing (MSM) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a marketing concentration. In both programs, you’ll build upon the concepts, theories, and strategies you’d learn in a four-year program. You’ll also likely complete a capstone project, such as a thesis or a comprehensive marketing plan, that could apply to today’s business world.  

Consider the core differences between these two programs to choose the one that’s best for you. 

MSM

An MSM is considered the “traditional” graduate degree track and focuses specifically on advanced marketing topics, theories, and strategies rather than business management or leadership. If you want to study a specific marketing area, such as analytics or digital media, and focus your career on marketing, consider earning your MSM.

MBA with a marketing concentration

A Master of Busines Administration (MBA) offers a broader business education than the MSM. It might include topics such as leadership, economics, and finance while offering marketing coursework. This degree option can set you up for success in marketing and other leadership positions that require applying your advanced skills to various areas in the business world.

Additionally, some MBA programs may be more “hands-on” than MSM programs. In an MBA, you’d explore marketing case studies to prepare you for real-life business challenges. Generally, MBA candidates enter degree programs with several years of professional experience. 

Doctoral degree in marketing

A doctorate in marketing is the most advanced degree you can get in this field and represents the highest level of academic achievement. The two types of doctorate degrees in marketing include a PhD and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). Both programs build on concepts, theories, and strategies you’d learn in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Still, some core differences exist.

PhD 

A PhD in marketing helps you develop the skills necessary to conduct original research on topics in marketing. As an academic degree, the coursework intersects with research methods in psychology, economics, statistics, and management science. If you want to teach at a college or university and publish scholarly research, consider a PhD in marketing.

DBA

Like an MBA, a DBA focuses more on real-world business application than theory. If you earn a DBA, you may secure a marketing leadership role within a company or go on to become a marketing executive or even a CEO. 

Which degree is best for marketing?

Ultimately, the best degree for marketing is the one that aligns with your goals and interests. In addition to choosing between associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, you can also pursue various majors in preparation for a career in this dynamic field. A marketing degree is the most direct avenue to gaining knowledge and skills relevant to the job. However, you may also major in communications, finance, and entrepreneurial studies. 

What jobs can you get with a marketing degree?  

After you earn a marketing degree, you can find many potential career opportunities, including positions in brand management, digital or social media marketing, strategy, and content development. The great news is that marketing professionals, especially those with strong digital marketing skills, will continue to be in demand as companies and their consumers shift online [1]. As a result, you may consider a digital marketing degree to be a part of a growing and innovative field. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects six percent job growth for marketing managers between 2022 and 2032 [2] and 13 percent job growth for market research analysts during that same period [3].

What else can you do with a marketing degree? Other in-demand marketing jobs include:

• Social media manager: $55,092

• Content marketer: $66,473

• SEO manager: $76,694

• Digital marketing manager: $88,675

• Market research analyst: $79,152

• Media planner: $76,045

• Sales representative: $72,163

• Event planner: $59,498

*All annual base salary details are based on Glassdoor’s August 2024 data and do not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Take a closer look: Jobs you can get with a marketing degree.

How to get a marketing degree 

Every degree program, from an associate to a doctorate, is an investment of time and money. Consider how a program might fit your professional and personal goals. For each degree program you’re considering, look at its flexibility, location, cost, application process, requirements, coursework, and graduate job placement information. Also, decide whether an in-person or online marketing degree program suits you. Additionally, consider the criteria for each type of marketing degree.

To get an associate or bachelor’s degree in marketing, you’ll need:

• High school diploma or equivalent

• SAT or ACT scores

Graduate degree programs may require:

• GRE or GMAT scores 

• Professional experience 

For all programs, you’ll likely need to gather:

• Transcripts from previous schools you’ve attended

• Letters of recommendation from former teachers, mentors, or professors

Some programs may ask for the following:

• Resume

• Personal essay  

• Samples of your work or writing

Get ready to earn your marketing degree with Coursera

You can open the door to various career options when you graduate with a marketing degree. An online course is a great way to build job-ready marketing skills and decide on the right degree path for you. Check out the Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate to learn how to create ad campaigns and navigate Facebook’s Ads Manager or the Meta Marketing Analytics Professional Certificate to explore marketing analytics methods and learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of ads. 

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