Online Master’s in Marketing

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year
**NA – data not available

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Universities establish their own graduate admissions requirements. Many graduate business schools do not require the GMAT, but other requirements must be met. Here are five of the most common admission requirements set by master’s in marketing programs:

• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts reveal the applicant’s track record in their bachelor’s degree (or prior graduate) coursework. Graduate entry requirements typically set a minimum cumulative GPA for admissions.
• References: Three reference letters from former professors and employers can make all the difference in graduate student admission applications. They address the candidate’s professional abilities in business or marketing and speak to the quality of the applicant’s character.
• Personal Statement: The statement cites the applicant’s career and educational goals to see if they fit the program well. They cite what candidates bring to the table and if they can write a well-sculpted essay.
• Resume: The length and quality of the applicant’s professional experience factor heavily into the admissions equation. The resume tracks the candidate’s job history, skills, professional or volunteer roles, and career stability.
• Departmental Requirements: Besides the common graduate school admissions requirements, individual business graduate programs often establish their benchmarks for entry. Students should make sure to examine these at each prospective university before applying.

GRE is a standardized test widely used for graduate and business school admissions that assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. Scores from the GRE are a common requirement for admission to various master’s and doctoral programs. Not all graduate marketing master’s online programs require applicants to take the GRE. Most typically waive this requirement, substituting other admissions factors such as professional experience or higher grades from a bachelor’s degree. Here are a few marketing master’s online programs that do not require a GRE:

Emerson College¹⁴

Texas A&M University, Commerce¹⁵

Accredited Programs

When pursuing an online master’s degree in marketing, it is crucial to understand the significance of accreditation. With numerous schools offering online programs, accreditation guarantees education quality and standards. It ensures credibility, transferability of credits, and eligibility for financial aid, fostering trust in online master’s programs. Students should know the accrediting bodies and verify if their chosen school/program holds accreditation. To learn more about accreditation, refer to the Accreditation Guide for detailed information and resources on accredited online marketing programs. The following bodies accredit marketing educational programs. Online marketing programs that any other accrediting agencies may accredit must be assessed for their quality and standards.

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)¹⁶
• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)¹⁷
• International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)¹⁸

In Marketing, individuals can access complimentary courses to enhance their industry comprehension. Several of these courses provide insights into professional practices. While participants might receive certificates upon completion, these may not carry the equivalent recognition as accredited courses endorsed by relevant organizations. 

When considering how to pay for an online master’s degree in marketing, exploring various funding options is essential. Common avenues include scholarships, grants, employer tuition assistance, and student loans. Additionally, researching specific programs’ financial aid offerings and considering part-time work or employer sponsorship can help make pursuing an online degree more affordable.

Scholarships

Pursuing a master’s degree can be expensive. Fortunately, students can lower the burden of tuition costs through financial aid from various sources. Students should take note of the many scholarships offered by marketing firms and professional associations for a marketing degree. These can offset tuition costs or cover attendance at national conferences. Scholarships may be pegged to academic accomplishment, research projects, or financial need.

(Note: Students should research scholarships and be cautious of scholarship scams.) Here are some scholarships worth exploring:

PRSA Houston Scholarships²²

The PRSA Houston Scholarship Program offers scholarships between $1,000 and $3,000 for students pursuing degrees in public relations or related fields at various academic levels. Applicants, including freshmen to graduate students, must either be from southeast Texas or attending a college/university in the southeast Texas region to be eligible for consideration.

Award/Amount: $1,000 to $3,000 

Application Deadline: TBA

International Fellowship²³

Who Can Apply: The International Fellowships program, established in 1917, offers financial support to non-U.S. women pursuing full-time graduate or postdoctoral studies in the United States. It also provides a limited number of awards for studies outside the U.S. Applicants must be members of Graduate Women International and intend to return to their home country for their professional careers. 

Amount: $20,000 to $50,000

Deadline: November 15 every year

Axia Public Relations Scholarship²⁴

The Axia Public Relations scholarship supports exceptional students facing financial challenges pursuing careers in public relations or related fields such as advertising, journalism, hospitality, event management, design, human resources, and more. 

Award/Amount: $2,000 

Application Deadline: April 30, annually

Grants

Grants are financial awards organizations, governments, or foundations give to individuals, businesses, or nonprofits for specific purposes. They provide funding to support various projects, research, education, or community initiatives. Grants typically require a proposal or application outlining the intended use of funds and often have specific eligibility criteria and reporting requirements.

Student Loans and Financial Aid

Student loans refer to borrowed funds from banks or financial institutions that cover various expenses like tuition fees, housing, utilities, meals, books, equipment, and transportation. These loans accrue interest and must be repaid in monthly installments along with the principal amount. Exploring resources like Donors for Student Loans and Grants for Student Loans can provide information on loan forgiveness options to avoid repayment obligations. For further details, please refer to our financial guide.

Financial aid for students is available through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA is a government form determining a student’s eligibility for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans. It considers factors such as family income, assets, and household size. Completing the FAFSA allows students to access various forms of financial aid to help cover education costs. Submitting the FAFSA form early is important to maximize the chances of receiving financial assistance. 

Beyond the realm of marketing generalists, a range of specializations prepares graduate students for niches within the profession. Students should plan to focus on distinct education requirements for occupations in the field that lead to career openings on employment sites and job boards. Careers can vary widely from a chief marketing officer to a marketing manager and brand managers to roles within the domain of business administration as well. No degree guarantees a career of high salary, but students can explore variables such as salaries, job growth predictions, and specific roles germane to their specializations, some of which are highlighted below:

Graduates of a marketing program can also go on to work in a host of other settings and areas, such as:

• Global Marketing Management
• Strategic Marketing Management
• International Marketing Management
• Digital Marketing Strategies
• Consumer Behavior
• Search Engine Optimization
• Social Media Campaigns
• Sports Marketing
• Project Management
• Internet Consumer Behavior
• Marketing Concepts
• Strategic Digital Marketing
• Marketing Intelligence
• Legal And Ethical Issues in Marketing
• Business Strategy

Professional certifications can enhance individuals’ expertise and proficiency in specific skills related to their field. Certification validates that they possess the required professional education, training, and qualifications to meet specific criteria for their chosen role, such as a Marketing Manager. Graduates of online master’s programs in marketing can pursue certifications such as:

Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) Certification²⁸

The Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI) Certification is a rigorous program assessing the competencies needed for specific roles. Successfully passing the certification exam signifies an individual’s professional competence, often essential for employment or practice in certain professions, affirming their expertise in sales and marketing.

Marketing Management Certification²⁹

The Marketing Management Certification offered by the AMA validates broad expertise in areas such as Marketing Strategy, Research, Pricing, Customer Behavior, and Positioning. This 16-hour online self-paced course prepares professionals for the PCM® Marketing Management exam, affirming their mastery of diverse marketing facets.

Online master’s students enjoy the same university libraries and knowledge bases as their on-campus counterparts. Beyond that, many online resources are dedicated to marketing, international marketing, and marketing strategy specialties. Many associations and businesses offer opportunities for career networking, free in-depth articles, research data, and industry news for marketing degree students and working professionals. Some resources may be of immense help with a capstone project as well. Here are some valuable resources to consider:

1. Mention Marketing Library³⁰
    Mention is a management consulting firm in media marketing and monitoring. Its free library is packed with resources and articles on social media marketing, key data reports, competitive analyses, growth marketing, brand monitoring, and more.
2. eMarketing Association³¹
   The eMarketing Association offers free memberships for a limited time. The association provides opportunities for digital marketing and networking, articles on best practices, and news on search marketing, social media, and email marketing.
3. The Balance Small Business³²
    Balance Small Business offers free access to its library of over 7,000 articles on pertinent topics, including marketing strategy and planning, social media, brand marketing, public relations, sales training, and more.
4. The American Marketing Association³³
   Although AMA resources are not free, student members can access marketing job boards, marketing tool kits, and the AMA Professional Certified Marketer program. Student membership costs $50.

Digital Marketing Specialization – Find out more about Online Masters in Digital Marketing. Also, read about the Online MBA in Marketing.