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Key points
- A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in marketing teaches industry-specific skills and knowledge to help graduates prepare for various careers in marketing and related fields.
- Admission requirements for marketing majors generally mirror those for other undergraduate majors and may include transcripts, standardized test scores, and personal essays.
- Marketing degrees may offer specializations in areas such as digital marketing and promotions, marketing and communications technology, and marketing analytics. Alternatively, students may use electives to explore specializations within the marketing field.
- Career paths for marketing bachelor’s degree graduates include market research analysis, marketing management, sales management, and brand management.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing helps students understand the essential concepts needed to pursue a career in marketing or a related field. If you’re thinking about pursuing a marketing degree, there are a few key factors to consider. It’s important to research and compare different universities and their marketing programs so you can make an informed decision.
This article discusses typical admission requirements, concentration offerings, and possible marketing career paths for students pursuing this degree.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing?
A Bachelor of Marketing is an undergraduate degree in marketing that teaches the analytical and marketing skills necessary for a career in marketing or related fields, such as sales and public relations. In this degree program, students learn strategies to help businesses reach consumers so they can increase sales and boost their brand identities.
Companies offer products or services that solve consumer problems or provide solutions to meet consumer needs. Companies therefore use marketing to inform consumers about the products or services they offer.
Marketers use specific strategies to study consumer purchasing behavior, establish pricing structures, create marketing plans, and find new ways to meet buyer needs. These are all skills learned with a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree in marketing.
But is marketing a good option? Read on to decide for yourself.
Admission requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing
Each marketing program sets its own admission criteria, but there are certain requirements that are common to most marketing bachelor’s degrees. Below we list some typical admission requirements for a marketing bachelor’s degree.
SAT or ACT scores
Your college may require you to provide your SAT or ACT scores as a prerequisite for admission.
Minimum GPA
Your transcripts must demonstrate a GPA that meets the university’s minimum requirements.
Class rank
Some educational institutions require information about high school class rank.
Transcripts
You must provide transcripts of all previous courses, including high school and other higher education courses.
Other requirements
Some educational institutions require resumes, personal essays, or letters of recommendation for admission.
Bachelor of Marketing Concentrations
Many marketing students choose a concentration for their studies. Some colleges refer to a concentration as an emphasis or a specialization, and others encourage students to use electives to explore areas of interest but do not offer formal concentration programs. Concentrations help students hone their skills for specific career paths by developing broad knowledge in a specialized area rather than just a general overview.
Available concentrations vary by school, so prospective students should be sure to read each program’s concentration offerings carefully to ensure they choose the best program for their goals. Below are some common concentration options for marketing students.
Marketing Communication and Analysis
This concentration teaches students how to use analytical tools and processes to address marketing problems and provide solutions for social media and traditional media strategies.
Product and brand management
A concentration in product and brand management prepares students to develop brand strategies for products and services.
General Marketing
A concentration in general marketing provides students with a broad knowledge of marketing that can be applied to many types of marketing careers.
Social media
This concentration focuses on how to build brand loyalty and increase revenue through content creation and social media campaigns.
Digital marketing and promotions
A concentration in digital marketing and promotions teaches essential skills in computer-based marketing, including branding strategies and social media marketing.
Marketing Technology
A concentration in marketing technology helps students develop a strong knowledge base in technology and strategies they can use to develop website solutions.
Value chain management
A concentration in value chain management teaches students the fundamentals of the value chain process, including digital marketing and sales strategies, sustainable supply chains, and global materials sourcing.
What can you do with a degree in marketing?
Marketing is a versatile major that can benefit a variety of career paths. Below we list just a few potential positions that may be suitable for marketing graduates. We have obtained the following career data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Pay scale.
Marketing manager
Average annual salary: $140,040
Projected job growth (2022-2032): +7%
Work description: Marketing managers are responsible for various aspects of organizations’ marketing and promotions. Together with advertising and promotions managers, these professionals develop and implement advertising campaigns, product pricing strategies, marketing plans, and other promotional activities. For management positions, employers may prefer candidates with graduate degrees, such as master’s degrees in marketing or MBAs in marketing.
Market Research Analyst
Average annual salary: $68,230
Projected job growth (2022-32): +13%
Work description: These professionals collect and analyze information about consumer purchasing habits and demographics, sales trends, and companies’ competitors. They then share their findings with their organizations to help them develop better products or services for customers.
Sales Manager
Average annual salary: $130,600
Projected job growth (2022-2032): +4%
Work description: Sales managers are responsible for managing their organizations’ sales teams. These professionals set sales goals, train sales personnel, handle customer complaints, create sales projections, develop pricing strategies, and analyze sales data.
Brand manager
Average annual salary: Around $79,000
Work description: Brand Managers typically work with specific brands within their companies. These professionals are responsible for everything related to advertising strategies, public perception and promotion of these brands.
public relations specialist
Average annual salary: $67,440
Projected job growth (2022-32): +6%
Work description: Public relations specialists create and implement strategies to manage the public image and improve public perception of companies and organizations. This includes representing these organizations in the media by writing press releases, communicating with the media, and writing speeches.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing Degrees
How long does a bachelor’s degree in marketing last?
A bachelor’s degree in marketing typically involves at least 120 credits and takes four years of full-time study to complete. It may take you longer to earn this degree if you study part-time, or you may be able to earn it more quickly if you transfer credits or enroll in an accelerated program.
What is the difference between a bachelor’s degree and a marketing degree?
A Bachelor of Arts in marketing focuses on humanities courses, and a Bachelor of Science in marketing emphasizes math, science, and technology courses related to the major. This difference applies to all bachelor’s degrees, not just those in marketing.
Which title is best for marketing?
The best degree for you is one that helps you advance effectively in your career. A bachelor’s degree in marketing provides you with a solid foundation for developing a career in marketing or a related field. If you prefer to focus on business with some marketing, you might consider earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing.
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