Best Associate Degrees in Marketing Programs

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Whether students intend to eventually enroll in a marketing bachelor's degree program or seek entry-level employment in the field, an associate degree in marketing is usually a good idea. Not only do individuals have the opportunity to enhance their business skills and knowledge with a two-year degree, but they also potentially highlight their seriousness about the job to their prospective employer, making them stand out amongst a pool of applicants with minimum qualifications (e.g., a high school diploma).

Although several higher-paying marketing positions require a bachelor's degree or master's degree, such as marketing product manager, graduates with an associate-level marketing education may still earn a higher salary than they would without a degree, as well as set themselves up for career advancement. For example, a graduate with an associate degree may qualify for an entry-level career as a marketing administrator, gaining professional experience as they prepare for managerial roles when they earn a bachelor's degree later on.

Additionally, an associate marketing curriculum may allow students to determine if the field is appropriate for their natural abilities and career interests. By enrolling in basic marketing and business coursework that lays out the foundation of study, students can decide early on if they want to continue with a bachelor's degree in marketing or pursue a different discipline.

Students interested in obtaining an associate degree in marketing should consider a few things when choosing a program. For example, associate degrees may be deliverable on campus, online, or in a hybrid setting of both in-person and online courses. Distance learning or hybrid curriculums may be ideal for students who work and attend school at the same time, or for those who need greater scheduling flexibility.

Students should also review the required coursework and elective options for each program to determine which curriculum would best prepare them in reaching their career goals. Additionally, students should consider the types of career services their school provides after they have received their associate degree.

For some students, attending a two-year community college versus a four-year college or university may provide a more cost-effective associate degree education. Should a student intend to continue their marketing and/or business education in a bachelor's degree program, enrollment at a community college may offer a transferable degree to an in-state public university in which they will not lose any credits. In the situation where students decide to transfer to a private college or out-of-state university for their undergraduate studies, they should meet with an academic advisor to determine if all their associate-level credits are transferable into a bachelor's degree program.

Application and Admissions for Marketing Associate Degree Programs

To enroll in an associate degree program for marketing, first-year and transfer students must first apply to their prospective college by filling out the online application. In most cases, students will need to submit their high school transcripts, identification, and residency application (for in-state tuition) to be considered. Many colleges charge a nominal fee to submit the application and supplemental materials.

Depending on the school, students may have the option to state their preferred program (e.g., marketing) at the time they submit their online application. Upon acceptance, students may meet with an academic advisor to plan their degree curriculum, register for courses, take the necessary placement exams, and partake in an orientation course for college readiness. Students transferring from another school will also need to undergo a transfer credit evaluation with an enrollment specialist.

A majority of marketing associate degree curriculums take about two years to complete, although several factors may further determine the actual length of a program; for example, the full-time or part-time enrollment status of the student. Generally, associate degree programs provide greater scheduling flexibility for individuals who still go to work during their studies or have families to care for.

Other factors that may determine the length of an associate marketing curriculum include taking summer courses, practical training, or obtaining credentialing.

The cost of enrolling in an associate marketing degree program tends to vary by school. In most two-year colleges, students may qualify for in-state tuition, which is oftentimes significantly cheaper than out-of-state tuition fees. For example, in-state tuition per credit hour may cost students anywhere between $50-$100; however, students who are non-residents of the state or county where the school is located may be charged $250-$450 per credit hour.

Additional campus-related costs may include parking/car decal fees, technology fees, student health services, activities fees, and the cost of books and materials. Financial aid and scholarships are usually available for students who need assistance paying for their education. We will discuss these options in a later section.

Associate degree curriculums typically comprise 25-30 general education credits that include college-level mathematics, science, composition, and reading. Other general education requirements may include courses in behavioral science, public speaking, foreign languages, and computer science.

Students enrolled in an associate degree program for marketing can expect to fulfill their remaining 30 credits with introductory marketing and business-related topics. The following course titles are commonly found in associate degree marketing programs:

• Principles of Marketing
• Human Relations in Business
• Business Communication
• Macroeconomics
• Principles of Accounting

While the highest earnings are better expected with a bachelor's or master's degree in marketing, students with an associate degree may be qualified for several well-paying marketing jobs, as well. Marketing programs at the associate level aim to equip students with a broad spectrum of transferable skill sets, such as problem-solving, written and verbal communication, active listening, interpersonal relations, and public speaking; in addition to in-depth knowledge of foundational marketing and business principles.

While wages usually depend on the company, geographical region, and previous professional experience, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Payscale.com maintain that the following entry-level marketing careers had a recent median salary of:

• Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives: $65,420
• Social Media Coordinator: $40,511
• Advertising Sales Agent: $54,940
• Public Relations Assistant: $39,190
• Customer Service Representatives: $35,830

Begin a Career as a Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives work for wholesalers or manufacturers and are responsible for selling goods to corporations, government agencies, and other types of organizations. Serving as the point of contact for the customer, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives provide information about various products, including specifications, how products will benefit the client's needs, their limitations, pricing, and availability.

Usually, these types of sales agents connect with potential clientele using business directories, referrals from existing customers, conventions, and trade shows. Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives can expect to apply negotiation tactics to set pricing and generate service agreements, prepare contracts, and process orders. Additionally, collaboration skills are necessary for information exchange and developing marketing and selling strategies with coworkers.

While the job outlook for wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives is expected to decrease by 2 percent between 2019 and 2029, individuals with previous sales experience should have better prospects for employment.

Begin a Career as an Advertising Sales Agent

Graduates with associate degrees in marketing may seek careers as advertising sales agents. Advertising sales agents are responsible for selling advertising space and services to clientele by contacting prospective clients, making a sales pitch, and maintaining client accounts that consist of contracts, communications, and tailored advertising plans. Typically, advertising sales agents may utilize accounting principles to determine the costs of various services, such as options for artwork, promotional plans, media kits, and other features.

After gathering detailed information on a potential client (e.g., target demographics, the client's products, etc.), advertising sales agents present an advertising proposal either by phone or in person. Successful advertising sales agents usually possess persuasion and negotiation skills, customer service skills, organizational skills, and an initiative to search for new clients and maintain business relations with current clients.

Although job prospects for advertising sales agents are expected to decline by 6 percent in the coming decade, individuals with a background in digital marketing and search engine optimization (SEO) will likely have greater opportunities in the field.

Students seeking an associate degree in marketing should attend a regionally accredited school. A college that is accredited has met the criteria set by a nationally recognized, independent accrediting agency that has determined its academic quality. Typically, schools are reassessed regularly to ensure that it continues to meet higher education standards. While programmatic accreditation may be available for some business majors, regional accreditation is acceptable to meet eligibility for federal financial aid, scholarships, and gainful employment.

Examples of regional accrediting organizations include the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). To learn more about a specific school's accreditation, students can visit their college's website or search the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).

Although students with associate degrees in marketing usually have numerous entry-level career prospects, they may also find themselves interested in career advancement. While associate-level marketing graduates have the option to continue their education at higher degree levels, there may be other opportunities for professional development, such as credentialing and memberships with marketing organizations.

Examples of professional marketing organizations include the American Marketing Association (AMA) and Digital Analytics Association (DAA) who provide memberships that enable marketing professionals to network with others in the field, as well as gain access to research publications, partake in webinars and job training, and attend industry conferences.

Marketing specialists may also choose to obtain voluntary certifications to highlight their field expertise. For example, individuals can validate their proficiencies in web analytics by pursuing the DAA Certified Web Analysts credential. Additionally, the AMA offers various professional marketing certifications in digital marketing, marketing management, content marketing, and sales management. Depending on the credential, students may need to meet the required continuing education hours and pass an exam to become certified.

Students who have earned an associate degree in marketing from a community college oftentimes decide to transfer to a bachelor's degree program. By obtaining an associate degree, students are typically able to 'lock in' their credits to not lose or need to repeat coursework during the transfer credit evaluation. Many colleges now offer 2+2 programs to ensure credit transferability with students entering their major at the junior level. (A 2+2 program is essentially two years of higher education completed at a community college and another two years completed at a four-year college.)

Although the majority of colleges and universities will recognize completed associate degrees in marketing, it is recommended that students speak with an academic advisor at their prospective school to determine their degree's transferability.

Individuals who have earned an associate degree in marketing may continue their business education at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels. By enrolling in an undergraduate marketing degree program following an associate degree, students have the opportunity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of marketing and business practices, making themselves increasingly marketable for advanced marketing careers.

Additionally, certificate programs in a variety of marketing topics are available for students to enhance their marketing skills and expertise. We will further discuss these degree and certificate program options in the following sections.

Bachelor's Degrees in Marketing

Students who have obtained an associate degree in marketing may enroll in a bachelor's degree marketing program. A bachelor's degree in marketing is designed for students to gain expertise in marketing strategy, market research, and consumer relations while learning how to integrate their creativity with traditional business principles.

A bachelor-level marketing curriculum is typically 120 credits of general education requirements (which may be fulfilled with an associate degree), marketing and business topics, and electives. Depending on the school, students may also have the opportunity to concentrate on a specific subject area; e.g., sales, digital communication, marketing management, or consumer insights. (A specialization in marketing may prepare students for specific marketing roles, such as an online marketing manager career.)

Bachelor's degrees in marketing typically take four years to complete and culminate in a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA). Some programs may also offer a Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) with a concentration in marketing.

Master's Degrees in Marketing

A master's marketing degree aims to provide an advanced curriculum that allows students to gain critical knowledge about global markets, digital marketing trends, consumer behaviors, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Generally, graduate-level degree programs consist of 30-36 credits of marketing coursework, in addition to the completion of a thesis/dissertation and defense, capstone project or portfolio, and/or a comprehensive exam to demonstrate an understanding of key learning outcomes. Full-time students can usually finish their master's programs in about two years.

Similar to bachelor's degree programs, students seeking a master's degree are able to concentrate on one or more marketing specializations. Generally, students studying for a master's degree in marketing may obtain a Master of Science (MS), Master of Arts (MA), or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in marketing.

Doctoral Degrees in Marketing

A doctoral degree in marketing is the highest level of academic scholarship students can obtain to demonstrate their expertise in the field. Oftentimes, students obtain a doctorate to pursue a career in higher education, research, or other types of leadership or consulting roles.

Postgraduate students can typically expect to take a rigorous curriculum of 45-60 credits over three to five years, although some programs require that students take additional credits. Furthermore, doctoral students may be required to partake in practical training in the field, teaching apprenticeships, and complete a thesis/dissertation on a unique research topic in the field.

A doctorate in marketing is usually a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) or a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with an emphasis on marketing.

Certificate Programs in Marketing

Certificate programs (or continuing education certificate courses) in marketing are commonly available online and in-person and cover an array of business topics. Students may choose to enroll in certificate programs to gain or improve their skill-sets, seek career advancement or a career change, and gain more in-depth knowledge about the subject.

On average, most certificate programs include 12-18 credits and can be completed in a year. Examples of common marketing certificate programs available at the undergraduate level include Marketing Analytics, Social Media and Digital Marketing Analytics, Marketing for Small Businesses, and Sales.

The choice to enroll in an associate degree program for marketing is ultimately an investment in one's future. However, some students may need assistance paying for their education, such as through federal financial aid, scholarships, or work-study programs.

Students may determine how much federal financial aid they qualify for by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an accredited college, maintain U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status, demonstrate financial need, and maintain satisfactory academic progress. Additionally, students who have filled out their FAFSA form may seek funding through a federal work-study program. Work-study programs are subsidized by the federal government and enable students to earn money working in a campus-based job to offset tuition and related costs.

Other financial aid for marketing associate degrees includes scholarships and grants, which two-year colleges may offer internally to their enrolled students. (School scholarship opportunities are usually found on the college's website.) External scholarships are also widely available and can be searched and applied for online.

To learn more about tuition and financing, scholarships, and work-study opportunities, students should contact their school's financial aid offices to speak with a representative.

Sixth City Marketing College Scholarship

The annual Sixth City Marketing College Scholarship is available to full-time students attending an accredited U.S. school. One winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship award.

Custom Creatives Digital Marketing Scholarship

The Custom Creatives Digital Marketing Scholarship is offered annually to U.S.-based students attending an accredited college or university who are majoring in marketing/digital marketing. Two winners will receive a $1,000 award each.