Best online marketing associate degrees 2021: Top picks | ZDNet

If you are searching for a degree that can quickly kickstart your marketing career, consider pursuing an associate degree in marketing. In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reported that, on average, associate degree holders make over $6,000 more annually than high school graduates. Earning your marketing associate degree online can boost your credentials or help you gain entry-level employment.

Marketing is the study of how businesses create, sell, and distribute value, making it a dynamic and creative career path. Marketing associate holders can pursue work as marketing associates and fast-growing careers such as social media managers and content creators. As digital marketing expands, more qualified marketing associate holders are in demand.

Read on for our rankings of the best online marketing associate degrees.

The best online marketing associate degrees

Take a moment to check out ZDNet’s ranking methodology before looking at our rankings. This page can explain the criteria we draw upon and tools we use to connect readers with the best programs around the country.

Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

What to expect in an online marketing associate degree program

An online marketing associate degree generally takes 60 credits, or two years to complete. The degree may culminate with a portfolio presentation. The program prepares students with foundational knowledge for promoting goods and services.

Marketing associate degree students study topics such as business, professional sales, and marketing. They can generally choose from limited electives on topics such as organizational behavior and small business development. Classes tend to focus on practical knowledge and emphasize experiential learning.

To be successful in these programs, you need strong communication skills and self-discipline, which will help you learn marketing skills such as marketing research and business communication.

Associate in marketing courses

While marketing associate programs can vary in course offerings, most cover the same core topics, including:

• Marketing principles
• Advertising
• Sales
• Digital marketing

The following course list represents some typical curriculum offerings of accredited marketing associate programs.

Introduction to marketing

This course primes students on marketing principles such as product selection, marketing research, and promotion. Learners finish the class better informed on how marketers create, communicate, and deliver value to consumers.

Business law

In this course, learners get an overview of how the background, foundation, and ethics of the U.S. legal system impact an organization’s functioning. Topics include criminal law, product liability, and sales.

Social media strategy

This course explores social media’s role in digital marketing. Students will learn how organization’s marketing departments leverage social media campaigns and online branding through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Principles of sales

This course covers the strategies and techniques used in professional sales. Learners leave the course knowing a professional salesperson’s roles and function as they relate to an organization and its consumer base.

Marketing degree levels

The different levels of marketing degrees serve different learning needs and career goals. For instance, if you wish to become a marketing assistant, pursuing an associate in marketing might be a good choice, while a master’s would be more appropriate if you want to become an analyst.

Read on to find out which degree level best aligns with your goals.

Certificate in marketing

• Length: One year
• Cost: $1,000-$5,000
• Post-grad careers: Customer service representative, sales representative, marketing assistant

A certificate program in marketing is a good option for learners hoping to quickly boost their credentials in a marketing or sales-related work environment. This credential, offered sometimes as a marketing graduate certificate for established professionals, usually consists of 15-20 credits and takes several months to a year to earn. The cost of a certificate is far lower than an associate degree, also. 

Students study introductory coursework in marketing, sales, and business. Some schools allow students to transfer credit from their credit towards an associate program.

Associate in marketing

• Length: Two years
• Cost: $8,000-$20,000
• Post-grad careers: Marketing assistant, content creator, social media campaign manager

An associate in marketing degree can significantly boost a young marketing professional’s earning ability to become a digital marketing or marketing associate or assistant. This degree takes two years — or 60 credits — to earn.

Learners not only explore business, marketing, and professional sales, but study personal branding, digital marketing, and small business development. The program can help develop business communication, market research, and campaign planning skills and sometimes ends with a portfolio presentation.

Bachelor’s in marketing

• Length: Four to five years
• Cost: $60,000-$200,000
• Post-grad careers: Advertising manager, account executive, marketing manager

A bachelor’s in marketing is looked upon positively in marketing and sales-related positions. Pursuing a four-year marketing degree online can help you get a job as a mid-to-high-level manager or account executive in sales or marketing.

In this degree, students delve deeper into marketing, psychology, and organizational behavior, along with business, accounting, and finance. Learners are often encouraged to pursue an internship alongside their studies, though it is not usually required. Some programs conclude with a final project or portfolio presentation.

Master’s in marketing

• Length: One to two years
• Cost: $40,000-$200,000
• Post-grad careers: Market research analyst, production manager, top executive

For many, a master’s in marketing is a terminal degree. Earning your marketing master’s can help you become a market research analyst, high-level manager, or even business or nonprofit top executive! This degree generally takes one to two years, or 30-35 credits, to earn.

A marketing master’s degree delves deeper into concepts such as financial analysis, consumer psychology, and long-term marketing strategy. Most programs blend experiential and theoretical learning and conclude with a capstone project. This degree oftentimes requires students to complete an internship, also. 

Doctorate in marketing

• Length: Four to six years
• Cost: $80,000-$300,000
• Post-grad careers: Top executive, data scientist, university professor

A doctoral degree in marketing might prove a good choice if you wish to move into pure research or education. This degree takes four to six years or 60 credits to earn and is the most rigorous of all marketing credentials.

Students in a doctoral marketing program study qualitative and quantitative research to prepare for their thesis presentation and defense. This degree emphasizes theoretical knowledge and research methods and generally appeals to people who wish to expand existing knowledge on consumer behavior, market trends, and marketing psychology.

In conclusion

Marketing is an eclectic field offering a variety of career paths, encompassing marketing research, digital marketing, and sales. An associate in marketing offers the advantage of not only being helpful for finding entry-level work but also providing transferable credit towards a marketing bachelor’s.

Whichever degree you choose, pick a degree level that will guide you towards your career goals.