Essential Information
Distance learning courses in sales and marketing are generally part of a business certificate or degree program in business, marketing, and sales majors. Degree programs are found at the associate's, bachelor's and master's degree levels. Students learn how to develop, strategize and maintain plans for businesses to meet their financial goals.
Online undergraduate courses are available at community colleges and four-year institutions in addition to private schools geared toward distance education. These programs are typically offered fully online. Undergraduate programs in sales and marketing are typically designed for those who are seeking foundational skills in business and desire to take on entry-level positions in the field. Graduate schools located at universities and colleges may offer master's-level coursework online. Master's degree programs require applicants to have a bachelor's degree and usually a certain number of years of professional business experience.
Courses by Degree Level
Online courses offered through brick-and-mortar institutions are usually led by the same professors and follow the same curriculum as on-campus classes. Distance learners take part in class discussions, complete assignments, take tests and review lecture materials in virtual classrooms.
Certificate Classes
Online marketing and sales certificate programs typically require 14-21 credits for completion. The particular design of a program, along with a student's enrollment status, affects how long it takes to earn a certificate; they usually take a year or less.
Integrated Marketing Communications
Students learn to combine market tactics to achieve profit goals with a specific focus placed on combining promotions, personal sales techniques, image management, customer service and electronic media.
Marketing Planning and Strategy
This class centers on strategies for competitor analysis, pricing, advertising, circulation and brand building. Students incorporate these techniques to complete a detailed marketing plan.
Principles of Selling
Students research and examine selling techniques for negotiating and communicating with potential clients. Closing strategies are also underscored.
Strategic Sales Effectiveness
Emphasizes sales management and commercial selling techniques. Students learn about the importance of communication between a company's sales team and other departments.
Associate's Degree Classes
Students interested in sales and marketing at the 2-year degree level can enroll in an online Associate of Science in Marketing and Sales Technology program, which requires approximately 65 credits.
Sales Team Management
Students are presented with recruiting, hiring and training techniques. They learn to properly assess a sales team and offer appropriate compensation packages.
Personal Selling
Discusses the relationship of sales to marketing. Individuals taking this class understand the importance of product knowledge and learn how to acquire sales leads, qualify potential customers and overcome opposition.
Services Marketing
Covers field-specific trends. The course ties together aspects of operations management, human resources administration and services management.
Bachelor's Degree Classes
Students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; these programs may allow students to pursue a concentration in sales and/or marketing. Sales and marketing classes are offered entirely online, and students can work on projects asynchronously or synchronously via group discussion platforms. Bachelor's programs take about four years of full-time study.
Marketing Administration
Strategies for retaining the client base are underscored. This course builds on marketing principles, such as the product development, pricing, promotion and distribution.
Sales and Sales Management
Students learn proven closing skills. Future managers learn to recruit, hire and retain a quality sales team.
Marketing Promotions
Strategies in direct marketing, sales promotions, advertising and publicity are introduced. Personal selling techniques are also underscored.
Master's Degree Classes
Many institutions now offer online Master of Business Administration degrees, which require 32-48 credits within 2 years, including a capstone project. Certain online MBA programs provide students with iPods and laptops with preloaded course software, which are covered under online tuition fees. In some cases, distance learning students may be required or encouraged to take part in short campus-based residencies.
Marketing for Business to Business
Teaches the importance of marketing strategy in business. Business-to-business focuses on companies, government entities, medical facilities and postsecondary educational institutions.
Marketing Management
Covers the issues that managers confront in the marketing world while emphasizing the importance of marketing analysis and strategies.
Managing Customer Relationships
Depicts the customer as a measurable financial asset. Students learn the importance of developing and nurturing potentially profitable client relationships.
Online programs in sales and marketing can be found at various educational levels, from certificates to master's degree programs. Coursework is offered fully online and includes training in sales and marketing techniques, management, and communications.
