Online Marketing Degrees: Best Programs in 2017

All of Liberty University's bachelor's degree programs are available online, including programs in marketing and entrepreneurship. Both business administration degrees, the programs educate students on market research, consumer behavior, e-commerce, and business management. Courses at the university are taught with a Christian worldview, with biblical principles and a focus on both academic and spiritual growth. The programs are 120 total credit hours, and 30 of those hours must be taken at Liberty while the other credits can be transferred. All courses are asynchronous, allowing students to complete assignments on their own schedule each week, as long as work is turned in by the deadlines set by the instructor. Most courses are held in an eight-week format.

Langston University's online management degree program includes a bachelor's in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Curriculum incorporates both business theory and real-world applications to help prepare students for management positions in a variety of fields. Students can complete the program at their own pace, with topics of study including business telecommunications, international management, research methods, and financial management. For the marketing concentration, students can study international marketing, retailing and merchandising, and purchasing management, among other topics. Applicants must have an associate of arts or associate of science degree from a two-year college in the United States in order to enter the program.

Cedar Crest College's online offerings include a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Curriculum covers advertising, public relations, services marketing, and global marketing, as well as core courses in finance, management, law, accounting, and other business topics. Online courses are taught by the same full-time professors as their on-campus counterparts, with instructors who bring real-world knowledge and business experience to the classroom. Most courses follow a seven-week schedule that allows students to complete their degree in two years. Students are assigned academic advisors to guide their studies, and can access online tutoring and technical support to ensure success.

The online bachelor's program in business administration at Florida Atlantic University offers a major in marketing for students who are planning careers in advertising or marketing. In addition to the general marketing major, students can choose courses in certain topics to create their own specializations based on areas of interest or career plans. Students in the program can begin in any semester, and can expect to complete their upper division (third and fourth year) courses within two years. Although all courses required for graduation are online, not every course is offered every semester. It is recommended that students take their courses in a particular order, or step, in order to graduate on time.

Granite State College offers online degree programs in marketing and digital and social media for undergraduate students. The programs can be completed with a full- or part-time schedule, and can be supplemented by transfer credits from community colleges or prior schooling. Students in the marketing program will learn to develop marketing strategies, collect and review data to drive business decisions, and understand the global nature of marketing. They will be prepared for careers as marketing managers, market research analysts, and advertising sales managers. The digital and social media program focuses on expression through digital content, interactive web sales, and the use of online media for marketing. Graduates of the program may find careers in multimedia design, web development, and e-marketing.

McKendree University's online marketing degree program is flexible for working adults, allowing students to take one class at a time when their schedules are busy, or two classes at a time when they want to accelerate graduation. Courses are held in an eight-week format. Students study principles of marketing, consumer behavior, and advertising promotion, preparing them to hold entry level positions in sales, market research, product planning, and more. Many students continue their schooling to earn an online MBA from the university, as well. The university offers several forms of support for its distance students. They include IT support, academic assistance, writing tutors, and research support.

Working professionals and nontraditional students can earn an undergraduate marketing degree online through Franklin Pierce University. The school's program focuses on global diversity, as well as sustainable business practices and green marketing initiatives that are popular in many businesses today. Curriculum includes both creative approaches to marketing and realistic, results-driven practices. Instructors have experience in the industry and bring their real-world experience to the classroom. While the program can be completed fully online, students also have to option of taking some on-site courses for a hybrid experience. Courses are available year-round and are designed to be flexible and accommodating for working adults.

Prospective students who wish to study marketing may be interested in Morehead State University's online programs in general business or small business management and entrepreneurship. Both programs outline the principles of business management and include information on marketing, finance, and information technology. The programs, which lead to a bachelor of business administration degree, are “online complete programs.” They are intended for students who have already completed general education coursework as well as required business foundation courses. Many of the programs' participants are working towards their undergraduate degree after earning an associate's degree from a local community college.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University's online programs include a bachelor of business administration with a major in marketing. The program prepares students in many areas of marketing, including advertising and promotions, marketing planning, personal selling, and sales strategy. Students also learn management theories and techniques. The major consists of 33 credit hours of business courses and 15 credit hours in marketing. The degree culminates in a business research project that can be completed in the student's area of interest. All courses can be taken online, but the school also offers on-campus courses for students who prefer a hybrid program. These courses meet in the evening for four hours once per week, making them convenient for working adults.

Online students at Wilmington University can earn a bachelor's degree in communications with a focus in integrated marketing communication. Students study communication theory, project management, and visual communications, as well as key marketing concepts such as consumer behavior, social media marketing, and public relations. Curriculum includes development of a professional portfolio that students can use in their job search after graduation. The university allows students to transfer up to 75 credits from prior schooling, and strives to accommodate the needs of military students with an increased transfer allowance of up to 90 credits. Courses are held in seven- or fifteen-week formats, with three start dates throughout the year. Courses do not meet at a specific day or time, but they are not self-paced; students must complete coursework by due dates set throughout the semester.

There are several online degree options at the University of Missouri-St. Louis for students interested in marketing: bachelor's degree programs in liberal studies, business administration with an emphasis in marketing, and communication. Each program can be tailored with coursework and projects to specialize in marketing and the student's area of interest. The bachelor of liberal studies program is ideal for students who have completed some schooling, and would like to earn their degree. This program allows students to transfer credits and earn their bachelor's in a general subject area, while choosing coursework that fits their career plans. Available areas of concentration for aspiring marketing professionals include advertising, business administration, and communication.

Kennesaw State University offers an online bachelor's program in business administration with a focus in marketing. Graduates of the program are prepared to work in marketing research, industrial selling, store management, advertising, and more. Students are given a solid background in marketing theory, as well as real-world knowledge and practical applications that can be used in the workplace. The program includes many electives in popular subject areas, such as social media marketing, entertainment marketing, sports marketing, and hospitality and tourism marketing. Most courses are held in 16-week sessions, and the university suggests students spend about six to nine hours per week on each course. During the summer, courses are only eight weeks, and as such students should expect to spend more time on their courses each week.

Distance students can earn their bachelor's degree in marketing from the University at Alabama's Collat School of Business. The program can be complete fully online, and allows students to customize their studies to fit their career goals. Possible areas of study include international marketing, e-commerce, industrial distribution management, and sales management, among others. The same instructors teach online and on-campus courses at the university, and interaction between students and professors is supported and encouraged. Classes include many opportunities for collaboration with peers and networking in the industry. Additionally, students have access to a 24/7 help desk for technical issues and electronic library resources.

New England College's degree in business administration has a marketing concentration that can be earned fully online. The program introduces research methods, market testing practices, and how to meet consumer demand. Graduates will be prepared to work in advertising, marketing, management, or sales. The college works with University Alliance to deliver online courses. New England College is responsible for all academic issues, such as curriculum, faculty, and academic advising. The University Alliance handles the delivery of the courses, including assistance with enrollment and technology support, and distribution of reading and classroom materials. Most students take one or two courses each session, and a full course load allows students to graduate in 28 months.

Students seeking careers in advertising, marketing, purchasing, and retailing can earn a bachelor of business administration in marketing from the University of Louisiana at Monroe through online coursework, with no on-campus presence required. Required courses in the program include fundamentals of marketing, organizational behavior, strategic management, and international business. Students must complete 120 credits total, with 30 credits of major requirements, in order to graduate. Working professionals and non-traditional students may qualify for credits based on educational and professional experiences. Through Prior Learning Assessments, the university may grant credit based on standardized exams, challenge or skills exams, or portfolio assessments.

The undergraduate marketing program at Upper Iowa University can be completed fully online for students who hold daytime jobs or who prefer independent learning to a classroom setting. Students with prior schooling can transfer up to 90 credits hours to help accelerate their degree. The school also has articulation agreements with several local community colleges, assisting in a seamless transfer of credits. Courses are offered in six terms throughout the year. The marketing program focuses on technical marketing skills and analytical thinking, preparing students to work in profit and non-profit organizations. Students will gain a core understanding of business and detailed knowledge in the elements of marketing.

Aspiring communications professionals or those in the industry who wish to boost their career can earn a bachelor of science in communication – advertising from Appalachian State University. The online degree includes coursework in copywriting, layout and design, consumer behavior, and media planning and sales. Students will also learn general communication skills, such as public speaking and persuasion. All participants in the program choose a minor from three options: general business, health promotion, or sociology. The program is small, with 20-25 participants. Most students have completed a two-year degree or equivalent coursework that can be transferred towards their bachelor's degree. Students then take 54 credits over two years at the university to complete the program.

Mercy College's bachelor's program in business administration with a concentration in marketing allows students to earn their degree through online classes while building a professional network and gaining real-world experience. Students can complete the program fully online, or take online and evening courses as their schedule permits. Full-time students can complete their degree in four years with no prior credit transfers needed. However, the university does allow up to 75 credits to transfer from a two-year college, or 90 credits from a four-year college, accelerating graduation. Only two courses of upper-level business credits can be transferred. Topics of study include international business, marketing management, and marketing research.

Marketing professionals and students interested in a career in marketing have several options for online programs at Lamar University, including undergraduate programs in management, entrepreneurship, and communication. Courses in these programs follow an eight-week format, and are designed to be flexible and accelerated for working adults. Online courses at the university are hosted through the Blackboard Learning Management system. Students use Blackboard to access course materials, communicate with peers and instructors, and upload assignments. Many support services are available for distance students, including military services for veterans and active duty service members; disability support services; a career center; and online library and bookstore access.

The bachelor's degree in marketing at Indiana Wesleyan University is an adult education program for marketing and sales professionals and working adults looking to make a career move to the field. The program can be completed fully online, or in a hybrid of online and on-campus courses at locations in Indiana and Kentucky. Topics of study include marketing of products and services, advertising, communications, marketing research, and sales. Students in the program have typically earned their associate's degree. However, those who do not have an associate's but have 36-59 credits of undergraduate work can also enroll through the university's Bridge program.