Online MBA: Focus in Marketing
A career in marketing offers excellent opportunities to earn additional income in the form of performance bonuses, commissions, and incentive-based payments. Base salaries for marketing are also on the rise, as well as job growth. In 2008, the average base salary for a marketing manager was $108,580. Top earners in this field make more than $145,600 per year and beginning wages start at an impressive $51,160 per year.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 175,600 marketing managers in the business world today. By 2018, this number is expected to grow by 13%. This means, job growth is expected to be as fast as average over the next 8 years.
If you want to become part of an industry that offers high earnings, stability, and job growth, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing is a step in the right direction. An MBA with a focus in marketing is even better. Most online colleges and traditional universities with online degree programs offer an MBA or master’s degree in business with a focus in marketing. Overall, hundreds of online MBA degree programs with a focus in marketing exist. However, much like on-campus programs, not all online programs are created equal.
When searching for online MBA marketing degree programs, perceptive students check for two things: accreditation and curriculum. Not all online marketing programs offer accreditation. While accreditation is only one factor to consider when evaluating the quality of a degree program, most employers prefer a degree from an accredited institution.
Students should look for the some of the following accreditation agencies while reading through information about online MBA marketing degree programs:
- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- The Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)
The following recognized accreditation agencies offer regional accreditation:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
It is important to note that hundreds of recognized accrediting agencies exist. The section at the end of this article offers specific information on how to locate U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agencies.
Core Curriculum for MBA Degrees
The following core curriculum is the standard for both online and on-campus MBA degree programs. Core curriculums typically account for 40% of the degree requirement.
- Accounting
- Business
- Strategy
- Economics
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Management
- Manufacturing and Production
- Operations
- Management
- Statistics
- Technology and Information Systems
Other courses include financial accounting, marketing strategy, managerial economics, leadership development, managerial statistics, operations strategy, financial planning and analysis, strategy structure and incentives, global economic environment, and social networks and social capital.
Online MBA: Focus in Marketing Curriculum
In addition to the core curriculum for the MBA, the focus in marketing will include the following coursework:
- Marketing Research
- Buyer Motivation and Behavior
- Sales
- Management
- Management of Advertising
- International Marketing
- Database and Interactive Marketing
- Marketing Strategy and Decision Making
Finding Online MBA: Focus in Marketing Degree Programs
To locate top accredited online marketing degree programs, students may explore the offerings at on-campus universities, search through comprehensive online directories such as Top Online Colleges, or use well-known search engines such as Bing, Ask or Google. Each online degree program will offer information on accreditation. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The list of recognized accrediting agencies is extensive, so visit the U.S. Department of Education website for details.
Tip: Certification indicates competence and achievement in the field, making it important in a competitive job market. Certification is not required for entry into the marketing profession, but it will set your application apart from the rest. The Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) administers recognition programs and rewards outstanding achievement and service to the marketing profession.
